Garnering much acclaim and renown while still in her 20s, we all wonder how Miss Rooney has done it. So, if you want to know more about one of the foremost millennial authors, read on.
With Beautiful World, Where Are You quickly becoming the fastest-selling book of 2021, no one can deny Sally Rooney’s position as the voice of a generation.
Born in Castlebar, County Mayo in 1991, Sally Rooney became one of the most prolific contemporary authors before the age of 30.
Her first two novels, Conversations with Friends (2017) and Normal People (2018), were imbued with such a sense of teenage (and specifically Irish) angst that many have praised her for speaking directly on their lived experience.
There aren’t many within or without the literary sphere who haven’t heard her name by now, but here are ten facts about Sally Rooney that you probably didn’t know.
10. She grew up around books – her mum and dad encouraged her talents
One of the facts about Sally Rooney that you probably didn’t know (but equally might not be surprised to discover) is that she grew up in a house full of books.
Both of Rooney’s parents are avid readers, so they always encouraged their daughter when her head was buried in books.
9. She was a champion debater – a great competitor
Sally Rooney is known to be strong in her views and has no trouble arguing her point.
Thus, it is no surprise has a background in debating. She took up the activity during her time at Trinity College, and quickly rose to become the top debater at the European University Debating Championships in 2013.
8. She loves Italian food – her favourite cuisine
In true millennial fashion, Rooney is a big fan of Italian food.
Speaking to the Irish Independent in 2017, Rooney spoke of her love of the Mediterranean cuisine, gushing at her luck of finding a boyfriend who was an “amazing cook”.
7. She describes herself as a Marxist – a strong political stance
It’s not hard to detect the class discussion throughout all of Rooney’s works. But what you might not know is that she actually describes herself as a Marxist.
6. Her career was launched by an essay – she now regrets writing it
While Rooney is now world-renowned for her fiction, it was a political essay titled, ‘Even if You Beat Me’, that launched her career.
Speaking to journalist Lauren Collins, Rooney revealed that she now regrets writing the essay, seeing it as an ‘inadvertent overshare’.
5. She’s a natural introvert – a shy personality
While Rooney’s firmly held views and talent for expressing them through writing or debate are easy to see, the truth is she is a natural introvert.
Rooney has spoken of her shyness when she first attended Trinity and admits that she finds press events draining.
4. She swapped her degree path – literature over politics
One of the facts about Sally Rooney that you probably didn’t know is that she actually changed her degree path.
After completing her undergraduate degree in English at Trinity College Dublin, Rooney went on to take a Masters in politics. However, she decided to switch her path to study American literature instead.
3. She was the only girl from her school to go to Trinity – Ireland’s prestigious university
Rooney’s talent has been clear from a young age. When she left school aged 18, she was actually the only girl from her school to go to Trinity College.
Moving from the small town of Castlebar in County Mayo to Ireland’s capital city, she felt a little lost and out of her depth.
2. She’s not a fan of Yeats – says he was a horrible man
In a 2017 interview with the Irish Independent, Rooney revealed, “I hate Yeats!”
She complained about his political standpoint and controversial views, stating, “A lot of his poems are not very good, but some are obviously okay.
“But how has he become this sort of emblem of literary Irishness when he was this horrible man?
“He was a huge fan of Mussolini, he was really into fascism, he believed deeply in the idea of a ‘noble class’ who are superior by birth to the plebs. And he was in the Senate.”
1. She completed her first novel aged 15 – talent from a young age
While Rooney is known worldwide now for her skill with words, one of the facts about Sally Rooney that you probably didn’t know is that the Irish author actually completed her first novel aged just 15.
However, don’t get your hopes up for reading this formative work. Sally describes her teenage musing as “absolute trash”, so we don’t think she’ll be releasing it anytime soon.
