It is futile to compare a book and a film, yet, an adaptation will have to stand the test of it in some way. It is so much easier in the book to understand Connell and Marianne, what drives them, why they are drawn to each other and at the same time find it difficult to overcome what lies between them. Film cannot do this and so the Normal People series struggles in some parts. This leads to break-ups which are hardly comprehensible and inner motives which are difficult to depict. On the other hand a book can suggest, hint, leave spaces, where film has to show and tell. Sex in the book is present, tangible, yet, the equivalent in the series annoyed me after some time, simply as it is a mere effect. The positive aspects of Normal People? Loads of it. Beautiful acting from Mescal and Edgar-Jones and some wonderful love scenes with great dialogue, Irish accents and a meditative, tranquil pace through a life and love story. I wonder what would have happened if they had planned for a feature film.