'Normal People' author Sally Rooney is releasing a new book. Here's what we know.

Fans of Irish author Sally Rooney have reason to rejoice—her highly anticipated fourth novel, titled Intermezzo, is set to hit bookshelves in September 2024. 

The 32-year-old literary sensation has captivated readers worldwide with her intimate portrayals of youth, love, and class in the 21st century. Her previous works, Conversations with Friends, Normal People, and Beautiful World, Where Are You, have garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, with the first two adapted into popular television series. 

Sarah Jessica Parker has already been spotted reading an advanced copy of the new novel on the set of And Just Like That... in New York. She looked engrossed, and the whole thing made us even more excited.

As details emerge about Rooney's latest offering, here's everything we know so far about Intermezzo.

Sarah Jessica Partner reading 'Intermezzo' on the set of 'And Just Like That...' Image: Getty

Who is Sally Rooney and what novels has she written so far?

Sally Rooney is an Irish author who has been hailed as "the first great millennial novelist". Born in 1991 in Castlebar, County Mayo, she studied English at Trinity College Dublin before publishing her debut novel Conversations with Friends in 2017 at age 26. The book was nominated for several awards and won the 2017 Sunday Times/Peters Fraser & Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award.

Her second novel Normal People, released in 2018, cemented her status as a literary star. It won the Costa Novel Award, was longlisted for the Booker Prize, and was adapted into a critically acclaimed TV series in 2020. Rooney's third novel Beautiful World, Where Are You came out in 2021.

Is Sally Rooney releasing a new book?

Yes, Sally Rooney's fourth novel titled Intermezzo is scheduled for release on September 24, 2024. The book will be published by Faber and Faber in the UK and Commonwealth—including Australia.

It's available for pre-order now from Dymocks.

What is Sally Rooney's new book Intermezzo about?

Irish author Sally Rooney's new book is called 'Intermezzo'. Image: Getty

Intermezzo revolves around two brothers—Peter, a successful lawyer in his thirties juggling relationships with two women, and Ivan, his younger 22-year-old brother who is a socially awkward competitive chess player. When their father passes away, it throws the brothers' lives into chaos.

Peter struggles to maintain his relationships with his first love and a university student, while Ivan develops an intense bond with an older woman named Margaret. The novel is described as "an exquisitely moving story about grief, love and family" that explores "how much one life might hold inside itself without breaking".

What Does Intermezzo Mean?

The title Intermezzo has multiple meanings in music. It can refer to a short solo instrumental piece, or a musical performance that occurs between acts of a play or opera. The word comes from Italian, meaning "interlude".

In the context of the novel, it seems to symbolize the "new interlude" the brothers find themselves in after their father's death—"a period of desire, despair and possibility" as they navigate grief and their complicated relationships.

When is the release date for Intermezzo?

The cover for 'Intermezzo' has been revealed. Image: Faber

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney will be released internationally on September 24, 2024. The novel is currently available for pre-order from Dymocks.

Where will Intermezzo be released?

Intermezzo will have a worldwide release on September 24, 2024. It will be published by Faber and Faber in the UK and Commonwealth, Farrar, Straus and Giroux in the United States, and Knopf in Canada. The novel will be available at all major book retailers upon release.

Will there be a TV series for Intermezzo?

There is no official word yet on whether Intermezzo will be adapted for television like Rooney's previous novels Normal People and Conversations with Friends. However, given the huge success of those adaptations and the anticipation around her new book, a screen version seems like a strong possibility in the future. For now, fans will have to wait until more details emerge closer to the novel's 2024 release date.

Featured image: Faber/Getty