Intermezzo? I Killed It the Way an Irish Book Would Want—Gently, and With Whiskey 🥃

🚨 Book rants & wildly fluctuating opinions incoming! 🚨This week, Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson take on Sally Rooney’s latest, where two brothers navigate grief, romance, and existential dread—all while occasionally playing chess.Along the way, we discuss:♟️ The many, many chess metaphors—how far is too far?📖 Why this book is giving Ulysses energy (but make it Rooney)💔 A love triangle that had us screaming “just pick someone already!”🎭 The existential crisis of two brothers navigating grief, relationships, and DublinAnd, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry? (Spoiler: it’s a tough call.)⏰ Timestamps00.00 Intro1.19 Sally Rooney is very young and very famous – like Rachael!2.04 The more famous you are – the shorter your biography3.47 Rachael has reasons for reading Rooney – Anthea’s just here for the accents5.42 The blurb – not bad – but does it over promise?6.42 Sibling drama and its role in literature and in life9.06 Rating Intermezzo – Kiss, Kill and Cigarettes10.22 Are long books the enemy? Does size really matter?12.47 Goodreads ratings – Sally Rooney is more popular than Guinness15.25 Meet Peter and Ivan, and the women they love, mostly21.13 Reviews – the good, the bad and the ugly22.01 Autism and disability in fiction25.06 James Joyce – what are you doing here?32.17 Crisis! Every time we meet a new character35.17 Killing Intermezzo, with love36.54 Rachael susses Anthea out for a throuple. Anthea is not keen.39.42 Hat puzzle confusion (no green hats were harmed in the making of thisconversation)41.47 What does Intermezzo mean, anyway?42.45 The Bridges of Madison County next time! Surely it’s a marry???👉 Listen now, subscribe, and tell us—did Intermezzo hit or miss for you? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe