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TL;DR: After their father dies, two Irish brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek, grieve in very different ways. Peter, a successful lawyer, is caught between two women, while Ivan, a young chess player, begins a relationship with an older woman. The novel is about grief, love, age and the awkward bond of siblings.
Table of Contents
Intermezzo at a Glance
| Author | Sally Rooney |
| First published | 2024 |
| Type | Literary fiction |
| Best for | readers of Sally Rooney and character-driven novels about grief |
Intermezzo is a novel by Sally Rooney, first published in 2024. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Peter and Ivan
Peter is a Dublin barrister in his thirties, and Ivan is a socially awkward chess player in his early twenties. After their father's death, the brothers struggle to speak to each other. Peter is known for his confidence, and Ivan for his shyness.
Peter's two women
Peter is in a relationship with Sylvia, a former love who had to give up her life after an accident. He is also involved with Naomi, a much younger woman. His emotions and his sleeping habits fall apart.
Ivan and Margaret
At a chess tournament, Ivan meets Margaret, a woman of 36 who works at an arts center. Their relationship, with its age gap, draws comment from the people around them, and Ivan has to decide what he wants.
Outside opinion
Friends and family have views about both relationships, and the brothers feel judged. The novel shows how other people see what they want to see, and how that can hurt.
The gap between the brothers
Peter resents Ivan's closeness to their father, and Ivan resents Peter's coldness. A series of small confrontations build to an honest conversation.
Moving forward
The ending leaves the characters at a point of tenderness, if not resolution. Peter chooses a path through the confusion, and the brothers begin to repair their bond.
Style and structure
Rooney alternates between the brothers, and the prose shifts with each. Peter's sections are fast, cluttered and anxious, while Ivan's are plainer and quieter. This contrast gives the book a rhythm like a piece of music, which fits the title.
5 Key Takeaways
- Grief shows up differently in each person, and it can make family members strangers.
- Love is rarely tidy, and age and circumstance complicate it.
- Chess is a recurring metaphor for strategy and for the limits of control.
- Honest conversation can heal rifts that seem permanent.
- Society judges relationships by appearance, which can hide real care.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Rooney's prose is plain, which makes the emotion hit harder.
- The shift between brothers' points of view shows that no one has the whole picture.
- Not everything is resolved, which is how grief works.
Who Should Read Intermezzo?
Read it if you like Sally Rooney's earlier novels such as Normal People or Conversations with Friends, or you want a quiet book about family and grief. It is slower and more reflective than her first books.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Intermezzo:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Intermezzo is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Intermezzo, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not.
Check price of Intermezzo on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Normal People by Sally Rooney: Rooney's best-known novel
- Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney: her novel about friendship and love
- Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney: her debut novel
Related: 15 Books Like Intermezzo You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main characters in Intermezzo?
Brothers Peter and Ivan Koubek, plus Sylvia, Naomi and Margaret.
Is Intermezzo a love story?
It is about love in several forms, including romantic, familial and grief.
Do I need to read Sally Rooney's other books first?
No. Intermezzo stands alone.
What does the title mean?
An intermezzo is a short piece between longer parts, and the novel is about the in-between time of grief.
Is Intermezzo worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers of Sally Rooney and character-driven novels about grief. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading Intermezzo?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.