A love story that gets so close to the real deal that a viewer becomes as besotted as the lovers themselves. It’s one of the best works of TV I’ve watched so far this year, and the rare show during this pandemic stay-at-home saga that made me forget everything else.

Their grand romance proceeds by tiny gestures. It’s an impressive feat in writing, even more so in adaptation. ... We’re lucky it’s so unusually good.

Normal People, which starts out as a teen romance but evolves over its 12 episodes into a richer, broader portrait of the way first love imprints itself on the psyche. ... There’s an intoxicating wistful and melancholy vibe in Normal People, conjured by its performances, the misty, bucolic Irish setting, and, especially, the terrific songs featured on its soundtrack.

Normal People isn’t just some erotic but sweet story of turbulent young love. It’s a portrait of intimacy itself—and I do mean both kinds, sexual and emotional. There’s an earnestness to it that you won’t find in other TV shows aimed at young adults.

It’s a beautifully done series about love, sex, and class in Ireland that features a pair of indelible lead performances, by Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne and newcomer Paul Mescal as Connell. ... Occasionally, the story line gets murky; you may forget exactly where the lovers are on their journey, and you may begin to resent all their nebulous feelings — feelings that work better in writing than on the screen. I suspect eight episodes might have been a better length. But the acting will keep you engaged nevertheless, as these two souls struggle for communion.

Despite the long timespan of the series’ events, the characters’ emotional arcs move at a much slower pace and become lost in the minutiae of Connell’s and Marianne’s lives. This would be fine if the show were populated with compelling supporting characters with stories of their own, but Normal People isn’t interested in developing anyone outside of the main couple.

Beyond illustrating the angst of their mutual attraction with a thousand penetrating angles, Normal People’s TV adaptation fails as both an adaptation and as a standalone show. Without the details of the book, the story is featureless erotica, 12 episodes of two gorgeous people struggling to handle the implications of their ferocious attraction. ... The series strips Rooney’s novel of much of the tone and detail that makes Connell and Marianne worth reading about.

This is the most involving show I have seen in years. Like many reviewers have noted, watching it you are immersed in the world of these 2 people and rooting for them like they are people you know. So well done. So affecting. I would give it a 12 if possible.

Engaging in all terms! Congratulations to its creators! Definitely a must watch!

Fantástica, simplesmente um primor de narrativa e de elenco, muito bem dirigida, escrita e fotografada. A química entre os protagonistas são coisas raras de ser ver até mesmo no cinema. Muitas questões importantes e dolorosas abordadas, certamente uma das melhores minisséries de 2020.

Whilst stylish and with a fantastic performance by the lead, for me personally it was unrealistic and too sex obsessed (I’m no prude but the show seemed too erotic and not enough character development) It seems to be appealing to a young demographic and I’m sure teenagers would enjoy it more.

Quite a strange show and I find it hard to say whether I really enjoyed it or not. It is quite unique and original and did not go in the direction I expected it to go. However, sometimes I just felt like there was no real point to the story, some of the scenes are so odd and the characters don't feel like real people to me (ironic considering the name). I generally like the approach to take a long-form approach to a story but it just made this show feel meandering unfortunately. It gets points for its orginality and some terrific performances especially from Paul Mescal but otherwise it's not a show I would recommend.