received widespread critical acclaim for its tender and funny portrayal of grief, relationships, and messy romantic entanglements. The Irish author's fourth book follows the relationship between two grieving brothers, Ivan and Peter, who are both in age-gap relationships and think they have little in common. Critics have praised the book as "utterly perfect" and "Rooney's best book yet," with many noting its confident and mature tone.
The novel explores themes of intimacy, communication, and desire, which are central to all of Rooney's novels. While some critics have noted that the depiction of subsidiary female characters is a weakness, the book has been widely praised for its impressionistic writing style and its ability to balance humor and tenderness. Rooney has said that she didn't feel pressured to write a book with a male voice and instead focused on telling the story that emerged from the characters. The novel has been praised as a step up from Rooney's other novels, with many noting its ability to balance complexity and simplicity. Two of Rooney's novels have been adapted for TV, and Intermezzo is likely to be another hit with readers and critics alike.
