In 'Normal People' sex has as much meaning as words

This week's Independent News & Media Irish regional newspapers' column.

Michael Commane

Early last year or in late 2018 a fellow Dominican mentioned two Irish writers to me. He asked me had I read anything by Anna Burns or Sally Rooney. I hadn’t. Over the years he has always recommended good books to me.

On his recommendation, I read ‘Milkman’ by Anna Burns. It might not be the easiest book to read but it’s a fascinating story about the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland and all the subplots that go with a broken and warring society. It’s the sort of book that has the effect of cleaning your soul, at least that’s what it did for me.

In the meantime I forgot all about Sally Rooney until Aislín McGuckin, a friend of mine, told me that she was playing a part in ‘Normal People’. 

Aislín plays Denise, who is the mother of the main character, Marianne.

Before it appeared on our screens RTE put a big effort into advertising it. It was difficult to miss the advertising, and also, I wanted to see my friend in it. I’ve been watching it from day one. Along with watching it with one eye, I’m also keeping an eye on the reviews and comments that are being written and spoken about it.

There was nothing else to do than get the book and read it. Is it somewhat strange or odd to say something about ‘Normal People’ while I have not yet finished the book, and nor has the series been completed on television? Maybe I’m biased in favour because I know one of the actors. But, no, I’m sure that’s not the case.

Some of the comments made on the Joe Duffy Show have been amusing. 

One listener phoned in to complain that, ‘Normal People’ was akin to pornography. Surely to compare it to porn one would have to have watched porn. I can’t imagine it has anything to do with porn.

‘Normal People’ is getting much publicity. 

Viewership in both Ireland and the UK is going through the roof. It’s a joint RTE/BBC production.

I came across a piece written by Louise Burne on extra.ie about Archbishop Michael Cox calling on RTE to cancel an episode of the series. I’m still trying to discover who Archbishop Michael Cox is. I’m wondering if Ms Burne is referring to the Michael Cox, who is the man who ordained Sinead O’Connor some years back? As far as I know there is no Archbishop Michael Cox anywhere in the Catholic Church.

From my watching the series and reading the book I’m impressed. I can understand why so many people are talking about it.

Zoe Williams who is a columnist with UK newspaper the ‘Guardian’ makes the point that in the TV drama, sex has as much meaning as words. ‘It was like a best friend, whispering what had happened directly into your ears,’ she writes in her Guardian column.

In many ways the clue to it all is in the title. And it tells the story both in the book and the TV drama in an extraordinarily sensitive way. I can’t imagine it has anything to do with pornography, which is exclusively about sexual arousal.

Maybe what’s most amazing about it is that Sally Rooney was a mere 27 years of age when she wrote the book. I’m flabbergasted that someone so young could have such a way with words, such an understanding, such a feel for reality and insight into how people think, so as to be able to write, ‘Normal People’.