Sally Rooney ‘Decided Not to Accept Any Offers’ for Screen Adaptation of Third Novel, Says ‘Normal People’ Discourse Was ‘A Lot’: ‘I Felt That World Was Not Where I Belonged’

As an ardent admirer of Sally Rooney‘s captivating storytelling and profound character development, I find her decision to step away from TV adaptations of her work both respectable and inspiring. Her dedication to preserving the integrity of her literary creations is commendable, as she seeks to let each book stand on its own merit without the influence of external interpretations.

Sally Rooney, author of the books that have been turned into series like “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends,” is not eager to see her works adapted for television again in the future.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, the author stated she declined all proposals to adapt her third book, “Beautiful World, Where Are You?”, published in 2021. When asked about her decision, Rooney explained that she felt it was appropriate to step back and allow the book to stand alone for a while.

The television series “Normal People,” featuring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones in standout performances, garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success when it debuted on Hulu in the U.S. in April 2020. Subsequently, the same team adapted Sally Rooney’s first novel, “Conversations With Friends,” but reception was more divided. In an interview with the New York Times, Rooney shared that she had less involvement with the adaptation since she was engrossed in writing her next novel, “Beautiful World, Where Are You?” However, she expressed no regrets about this decision.

Working on [‘Normal People’] was truly extraordinary due to the exceptional team, but it was also a massive undertaking. When the show finally aired, the conversation and media buzz it created felt overwhelming. I realized then that the literary world is where I truly belong, where I feel most comfortable, and this is what I wish to focus on entirely.

In his fourth publication titled “Intermezzo,” Rooney delves into the story of two siblings grappling with the death of their father as they embark upon distinct romantic journeys.

Regarding composing stories with a male protagonist, Rooney stated: “I understand that some people assume my work is heavily based on my personal experiences, but in truth, it isn’t. The characters simply felt like any other fictional creations I’ve made, and I found them fascinating. Therefore, the question of gender held little significance for me, yet there were instances when I wondered, ‘Am I accurately portraying these aspects?’

“Intermezzo” hits bookshelves on Tuesday.

2024-09-23 14:46

Sally Rooney ‘Decided Not to Accept Any Offers’ for Screen Adaptation of Third Novel, Says ‘Normal People’ Discourse Was ‘A Lot’: ‘I Felt That World Was Not Where I Belonged’

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