Intermezzo - Sally Rooney

Set mainly in Dublin and rural Ireland, the story follows Ivan and Peter Koubek, two siblings grappling with the recent death of their father.

• Ivan (22) is a former chess prodigy whose promising career has stagnated. He strikes up a relationship with Margaret, a 36‑year‑old arts program director, creating both affection and social tension.

• Peter (32) is a successful human rights lawyer whose personal life is unraveling: he oscillates between a younger girlfriend, Naomi, and his ex, Sylvia, whose chronic pain has shaped the history of their intimate relationship.

The novel alternates between their viewpoints, revealing how grief affects each brother differently, reshapes their relationships, and forces them to confront their unresolved emotional lives