A review of “Intermezzo” in 100 words by Catherine Stover
Let’s think about the title of the novel Intermezzo. If you enjoy words with many meanings – this one can refer to a musical composition, a file system for Linux, a prescription medication, a breed of horses, or a chess move – then I think you might enjoy the many shifting perspectives in this challenging novel. It shows us how two brothers process grief and love, given their unhappy family history. One of them thinks in sharp, staccato bursts that remind me of James Joyce’s Ulysses. While it’s not for everyone, it grabbed me by the neck and hasn’t let go yet.
Work cited:
Rooney, Sally. Intermezzo. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 2024, p. 10.