If you’ve been holding out hope for another Sally Rooney TV adaptation, you might be waiting a while longer. The author, whose fourth book Intermezzo is being released on Tuesday, has said she’s ‘taking a break’ from TV work.
Speaking to The New York Times, Sally said: ‘I felt like it was just time to take a break from that and let the book be its own thing for a while.’
She was referring to her third novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You, in the interview and continued to say that while working on the screen adaptation of Normal People was ‘amazing’, it was also ‘a lot’ more than she expected.
Sally co-wrote the TV version of Normal People and said: ‘The experience of working on [Normal People] had been, in so many ways, amazing – the team of people involved in it. But it did also feel like a really big job.
‘Then, when the show was broadcast, that felt like a lot in terms of the amount of discourse that it generated and the amount of media attention.
'I felt like, okay, now I know that my books are where I belong and that’s all that I want to be doing.’
Normal People was a huge hit when it was released and became the BBC’s most streamed show of 2020, with 62.7m views. It had a further three million views on RTÉ Player and even more on Hulu.
It also catapulted Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal to fame with both actors going on to star in big-budget films such as Where The Crawdads Sing as well as Gladiator II.
Sally’s latest work, Intermezzo, is about two brothers navigating the death of their father while also exploring their personal connections. Critics have hailed the tale, with The Guardian dubbing it ‘breathtakingly intimate’. We can't wait to read it!
Sally Rooney, the critically acclaimed writer, is the brainchild behind two of the most famous books of the 21st century, Conversations With Friends and Normal People. Both works of fiction have also been adapted into widely known TV series. The adaptation of the latter earned the 33-year-old Irish author major commercial success and a large fan following, and was (in part) responsible for launching the acting careers of the show's leading actors, Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, following it's release in April 2020.
But with the launch of her fourth book, Intermezzo, out on Tuesday, Rooney has revealed that she hasn't yet accepted any offers to adapt her third book, Beautiful World, Where Are You into a TV series.
During a recent interview with The New York Times, the writer stated that she currently has no plans to turn the book into a series ‘No. So far I have decided not to accept any offers to option the rights for that book,’ she admitted.
‘I felt like it was just time to take a break from that and let the book be its own thing for a while.’
Rooney, who has been dubbed ‘the voice of a generation’ and ‘Salinger for the Snapchat generation’, given the cult like following that her work has amassed, also discussed why she didn't regret not being involved in the production process of Conversations With Friends, starring Joe Alwyn and Jemima Kirke.
‘The experience of working on the first one had been, in so many ways, amazing — the team of people involved in it,’ she said. ‘But it did also feel like a really big job. Then, when the show was broadcast, that felt like a lot in terms of the amount of discourse that it generated and the amount of media attention. I felt that world was not where I belonged. I felt like, OK, now I know that my books are where I belong, and that’s all that I want to be doing.’
She also discussed how her priorities have changed, noting: ‘The reason that I chose not to be so involved in the second adaptation was because I was working on what became my third novel [Beautiful World, Where Are You].’
Sally Rooney's Book Adaptations: A Look Back
Rooney's first two novels, Conversations with Friends and Normal People, were both adapted into popular TV series, which brought her even more fame. Normal People, in particular, was a critical and commercial success, with fans around the world praising the show's nuanced characters and relatable storylines. However, the adaptation of Conversations with Friends was met with a more lukewarm reception, with some critics arguing that it failed to capture the essence of the original novel.
Sally Rooney's Decision to Focus on Writing
Rooney's decision to step back from TV adaptations is likely due to a number of factors. First, it seems clear that she feels a strong connection to her writing and sees her books as her primary focus. Rooney is likely also aware of the challenges involved in adapting her novels for television. It's a time-consuming and complex process, and there's always the risk that the adaptation won't live up to fans' expectations. By focusing on her writing, Rooney can control the creative process and ensure that her stories are told in the way she envisions.
What Does the Future Hold for Sally Rooney's Work?
While Rooney's decision to step away from TV adaptations for now might disappoint some fans, it’s understandable given the amount of time and energy required. It remains to be seen whether she will ever return to television in the future, but for now, her focus is on writing, and that's where her loyal fans will continue to find her.
The Future of Sally Rooney's Books
While Beautiful World, Where Are You? might not make it to the screen anytime soon, Rooney's latest novel Intermezzo is set to be a hit. The book is a gripping story about two brothers navigating the death of their father, and it has already received rave reviews. It will be interesting to see if Rooney's newest book will achieve the same level of popularity as her previous works. As the Irish writer has clearly stated that she is now focused on writing, the book world is sure to see more of her work in the years to come.
The Power of Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney has emerged as a powerful voice in contemporary literature, capturing the attention of readers worldwide with her sharp prose, insightful observations, and compelling characters. Her books have sparked conversations about love, relationships, and social class, and her work has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. While she might be taking a break from TV adaptations for now, there's no doubt that Sally Rooney will continue to be a major force in the literary world for many years to come.
