This made me think of a brilliant article I read, «Normal Novels» by Becca Rothfeld, which argued that Sally Rooney writes fantasy fulfillment. I never realised how much of a fantasy fulfillment both the Cinderella story and Sally Rooney’s writing is, since both initially depict suffering characters. Yet, they don't suffer in a way that reeks of desperation, in a way that lowers others’ appetite or evokes morbid fascination. They suffer gracefully. Quietly and not vulgarly.
At best, Sally Rooney’s…
