Intermezzo: A Novel

Why I recommend it

Rooney writes about two brothers grieving and misunderstanding each other. She’s especially good at the gap between what people feel and what they manage to say.

What stayed with me

Knowing someone well doesn’t mean we always understand them. Grief and shame can make it easier to assume the worst.

Who it’s useful for

Readers drawn to novels about siblings, love, and grief.

A tension or limitation

We spend a lot of time inside the characters’ thoughts. That can feel repetitive or confining.