Normal People: The Scripts

About the Book

Delve deeper into the Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated Hulu series based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel with this must-have collection of the Normal People scripts, featuring behind-the-scenes photos and an introduction by director Lenny Abrahamson.

“You know, I did used to think that I could read your mind at times.”
In bed you mean.”
Yeah. And afterwards but I dunno maybe that's normal.”
It’s not.”

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular. Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation, something life-changing begins.

With an introduction by director Lenny Abrahamson and featuring iconic images from the show, Normal People: The Scripts contains the complete screenplays of the acclaimed Emmy- and Golden Globe–nominated television drama that The New York Times called an unusually thoughtful and moving depiction of young people’s emotional lives.”
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Praise for Normal People: The Scripts

Praise for Sally Rooney’s Normal People

“[Rooney] has invented a sensibility entirely of her own: sunny and sharp, free of artifice but overflowing with wisdom and intensity. . . . The novel touches on class, politics, and power dynamics and brims with the sparky, witty conversation that Rooney’s fans will recognize.”Vogue

“A future classic.”The Guardian

Rooney is a tough girl; her papercut-sharp sensibility is much more akin to writers like Rachel Kushner, Mary Gaitskill, and the pre–Manhattan Beach Jennifer Egan. . . . Normal People is a nuanced and flinty love story about two young people who ‘get’ each other, despite class differences and the interference of their own vigorous personal demons. But honestly, Sally Rooney could write a novel about bath mats and I’d still read it. She’s that good and that singular a writer.”—Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air

“[Rooney] has written two fresh and accessible novels. . . . There is so much to say about Rooney’s fiction—in my experience, when people who’ve read her meet they tend to peel off into corners to talk.”—Dwight Garner, The New York Times

“[Rooney’s] two carefully observed and gentle comedies of manners . . . are tender portraits of Irish college students. . . . Remarkably precise—she captures meticulously the way a generation raised on social data thinks and talks.”—New York Review of Books

Normal People tackles millennial concerns with nineteenth-century wit . . . the millennial generation would no doubt be happy to accept her as its spokesperson were she so inclined.”Elle

“I’m transfixed by the way Rooney works, and I’m hardly the only one . . . like any confident couturier, she’s slicing the free flow of words into the perfect shape. . . . She writes about tricky commonplace things (text messages, sex) with a familiarity no one else has.”The Paris Review

“Funny and intellectually agile . . . [combines] deft social observation—especially of shifts of power between individuals and groups—with acute feeling . . . [Rooney is] a master of the kind of millennial deadpan that appears to skewer a whole life and personality in a sentence or two.”Harper’s Magazine

“Beautifully observed . . . crackles with vivid insight into what it means to be young and in love today.”Esquire

“I went into a tunnel with this book and didn’t want to come out. Absolutely engrossing and surprisingly heart-breaking with more depth, subtlety, and insight than any one novel deserves. Young love is a subject of much scorn, but Rooney understands the cataclysmic effects our youth has on the people we become. She has restored not only love’s dignity, but also its significance.”—Stephanie Danler, author of Sweetbitter

“Masterfully done. The quality of Rooney’s writing, particularly in the psychologically wrought sex scenes, cannot be understated as she brilliantly provides a window into her protagonists’ true selves.”BookPage (starred review)
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Excerpt

Normal People: The Scripts

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDORS – Day

Rear view of Marianne walking through school. She is determined. Uniformed teens are milling about the corridors as she passes by without a glance at them.

Eric and Connell talking by the lockers. Marianne walks past them, Connell glances up as she passes.


ERIC
It’s a simple game. You’ve fifteen players, give one of them the ball, get it into the net.

Marianne goes to her locker and looks over at Connell.

CONNELL
Very simple.

ERIC
Isn’t it.

ROB
Brilliant.

The camera pans to Rob leaning on a bench opposite them. Rachel approaches – blonde, pretty. The boys are stood in front of her locker.

ERIC
How’s it going, Rachel? Talking tactics for the game.

ROB
We’re getting a master class.

Rachel seems unimpressed. Marianne furtively looks across.

RACHEL
How incredibly boring of you.

ERIC
Yeah, did you get your hair done?

RACHEL
I did, yeah.

Connell looks at Rachel and smiles at his friend’s attempt to compliment her.


ERIC
It’s very pretty.

Connell smiles.

RACHEL
Thanks. Can I use my locker by any chance?

Marianne walks away. Connell turns his head to follow her.

CONNELL AND ERIC
Yeah.

Rachel persists.

RACHEL
Yeah, I sort of need you to move, Connell.

CONNELL
I’m sorry, excuse me.

Rob mimics his awkward exchange.

ROB
Uh, sorry, excuse me.

Connell brushes it off.

CONNELL
Alright, relax would you.

INT. CLASSROOM – Day

The teacher addresses the class. Marianne stares out the window.

MR KERRIGAN
But you know that’s important because it’s turned up in the exam twice out of the last three years. Marianne . . .

MARIANNE
Yeah?

MR KERRIGAN
Something outside caught your attention?

MARIANNE
I suppose so.

MR KERRIGAN
Eyes forward, okay?

MARIANNE
I wasn’t aware my eye line fell under the jurisdiction of school rules.

MR KERRIGAN
Trying to impress your classmates? They don’t look too impressed to me.

MARIANNE
I’m pretty sure I was just looking out the window.

ERIC
Come on, Sheridan.

MR KERRIGAN
If you’re staring out the window daydreaming then you’re not learning, are you, Marianne?

MARIANNE
Don’t delude yourself. I’ve nothing to learn from you.

MR KERRIGAN
Okay, in that case, Principal’s office.

Mr Kerrigan gestures to Marianne that she should leave the classroom. Marianne closes her books.

MARIANNE
Yeah, I might go there.

She gets up.

MARIANNE
Or I might just head home. It’s not really your business what I do, is it?

She shoulders her bag and leaves. Connell watches after her.

ERIC
Don’t worry, sir, she’s a psycho to everybody.

MR KERRIGAN
Do you want to follow her Byrne?

About the Author

Sally Rooney
SALLY ROONEY is an Irish novelist. She is the author of Conversations with FriendsNormal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You. More by Sally Rooney
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About the Author

Lenny Abrahamson
SALLY ROONEY is an Irish novelist. She is the author of Conversations with FriendsNormal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You. More by Lenny Abrahamson
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About the Author

Alice Birch
SALLY ROONEY is an Irish novelist. She is the author of Conversations with FriendsNormal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You. More by Alice Birch
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About the Author

Mark O'Rowe
SALLY ROONEY is an Irish novelist. She is the author of Conversations with FriendsNormal People and Beautiful World, Where Are You. More by Mark O'Rowe
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