Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (2024 fiction)

The fourth novel by the Irish author of Normal People revolves around the relationship between two brothers and the women important in their lives. Ivan is the 22-year-old younger brother, introverted, awkward, and an accomplished chess player who used to win competitions. Peter is 32 years old, a lawyer, and has close relationships with both a former girlfriend and a girlfriend who is Ivan’s age. The book starts with the funeral of the brothers’ father and things are tense between them. They both have built-up grievances and resentments with each other. Ivan starts a relationship with a 35-year-old woman he meets when he hosts a chess exhibition in which he plays 10 opponents simultaneously. Peter harshly criticizes Ivan about having a non-traditional relationship, even though he is in two such relationships himself. Not to provide too much of a spoiler, but through a series of crises and encounters, they generally finally get to work to clear things up between themselves as well as their partners. Rooney has a knack for weaving together characters’ internal and external dialogues revolving around grief, guilt, relationships, and sibling conflicts.

Reviewed by Scott Morgan