57 pages • 1 hour read
Emily HenryFunny Story
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Stories, Reading, and Books
True stories about life and love are unpredictable and often defy logic. The novel opens with Daphne recounting the coincidence that brought her and Peter together. She explains the plot twist: “The story tipped onto its side. Found a fresh point of view. And in this new telling of it, I was no longer the leading lady, but instead the teensy complication that would forever be used to jazz up their story” (2). From the opening scene, Emily Henry infuses the power of story into the novel, symbolizing how stories connect people. By engaging with stories, whether through reading books, watching films, or just listening to people tell their stories, humans can experience the transformative power of narrative firsthand. Stories are not just a form of entertainment but a fundamental aspect of being human. They can be a window into other worlds or a mirror in which to see oneself better. When her life story doesn’t go as planned, Daphne must learn to embrace the unpredictability of life and, just like cracking open a new book, harness the excitement of diving into a fresh, new story.
Daphne embodies a love of books and stories. Although her job as a librarian involves connecting people with literature, she later shares that libraries and books have always been a safe place where she could envelop herself in the safety of a story when nothing else in her life felt right: “[A]s a kid, the library was the thing that made me marvel” (165). When she becomes an adult, the library transforms from a place of refuge to a place of centeredness and connection. Daphne not only makes new friends in her workplace but also sees firsthand how a library can bring a community together. Though their patrons are sometimes demanding and quirky, Daphne asserts, “The library is, like, the single best cross section of humanity […] You meet all kinds of interesting people” (279). The library is a safe, welcoming space for all types of people, a sanctuary of belonging, and the epicenter of the community. Daphne’s Read-a-thon at first symbolizes a countdown to when she can escape Waning Bay, but once she sees how everyone comes together to support her, the successful reading event becomes the impetus for her to stay. Books and reading represent a core part of Daphne’s identity and, throughout the story, symbolize hope and the human need for connection.
Waning Bay
Daphne arrives in Waning Bay via her relationship with Peter. However, after their relationship ends, Daphne is left alone in a town where she has no family and no real connections outside Peter and his friends. Daphne explains her lack of connection to the town: “Waning Bay doesn’t belong to me, like it does to [Peter]” (91). Moreover, she lives in the same town as her ex and his new partner. At the story’s start, much like the town’s name, Daphne’s desire to remain there wanes with each passing day, and she starts a countdown to when she can escape and return home to the familiarity and comfort of her home. However, when Daphne moves in with Miles, he makes it his mission to change her mind about Waning Bay. As the story progresses, Daphne begins to see the town less as a prison and more as a possible home as she connects with its charm and, more importantly, its people.
Under Miles’s direction, Daphne begins to appreciate the natural beauty and tranquility of Waning Bay. For example, Miles introduces Daphne to idyllic patchwork farms and beautiful hidden beach inlets. Its quaint beauty awes Daphne as she notes, “It’s easy to forget how secluded Waning Bay really is when you’re inside of it, but within minutes, we're winding into gloriously sunlit farmland” (108). If Miles introduces Daphne to the natural wonders of Waning Bay, Ashleigh treats her to its nightlife and shows her all the fun spots and eccentric hang-outs like a bar in a barn. Like Daphne, the town has layers of complexity and depth, and the more she explores and enjoys new experiences, the more she unearths new parts of herself. Waning Bay becomes a symbol not of stagnation but growth as Daphne learns she can flourish there regardless of whether she’s partnered.
Waning Bay is populated by a cast of quirky and lovable characters who form a tight-knit community, and through her adventures with Miles, Daphne becomes acquainted with how Waning Bay citizens live and work together. Daphne learns the importance of friendship, support, and human connection through interactions with farmers, cheesemongers, and co-workers. This sense of community fosters Daphne’s personal growth, helping her to open her heart to love and embrace the possibility of a brighter future. How the town comes together to help her pull off the Read-a-thon proves to Daphne the power of community and solidifies her decision to stay. She thanks her new friends, saying, “To be a part of a community like this. To me, libraries have always represented the best of humanity. The way we all share knowledge and space, and…and how we find ways to look after each other. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s powerful” (362). Waning Bay symbolizes that people can make a home anywhere if they feel inspired by their surroundings and accepted and connected to their community.
Food
Sharing a meal is an intimate act that requires a level of vulnerability that encourages people to let their guard down and engage in conversation, which can foster a sense of closeness and connection. This shared experience can assist in breaking down barriers and fostering connections between two individuals. When Miles welcomes Daphne into his house, he invites her into a shared space, which leads to shared meals. Simple dinners, snacks, and cups of tea provide homey comfort and camaraderie as they recover from their breakup shock. As Miles turns into Daphne’s tour guide, food becomes a way for him to tempt her to stay in Waning Bay by showing her all the hidden gems, dives, and farmstands full of delectable choices.
Eating is a sensory experience involving taste, smell, and touch. Sharing the fresh cherries with Miles is a pleasurable experience that creates a sense of memory and elicits more intense feelings of attraction and desire. When she eats something delicious, Daphne instinctively moans with pleasure, and the first time Miles hears it after she tastes the milkshake, it becomes one of his favorite things about her. Each time he introduces her to another treat, he waits for the “signature Daphne moans” (132). Though Miles works with wine and understands and appreciates the complexities of flavor, the type of cuisine he shares with Daphne never matters. What’s important is the experience, and through his personality, he teaches Daphne to slow down and savor each bite just as one should relish each moment of life. However, for Daphne, tasting new food is about more than just sensual pleasure. After living under Peter’s regimented dietary guidelines, eating and enjoying food without worrying about its nutritional value is freeing, and the epicurean sensations open Daphne’s eyes to a whole world of freedom she’s been missing.
Daphne and Miles bond over food. Whether savoring fresh produce from a farmstand, testing new recipes together, or devouring pancakes after sex, sharing food becomes part of their love language. Creating meals together fosters a sense of family, especially once Julia arrives. Daphne longs for a partner who cares about the small things, and the way Miles remembers that she loves chai, not coffee, or prepares a meal to share with their friends reveals his caring nature. Daphne, in turn, offers pastries as an apology to Ashleigh, and Ashleigh buys her coffee as a sign of a truce. Sharing meals and providing sustenance for others is a powerful way to build relationships and share in the community. The pervasiveness of food in the novel illustrates the importance of nourishing relationships. Throughout the story, food is often associated with moments of connection and intimacy between Miles, Daphne, and others. These moments highlight the role of food in fostering bonds between people by nourishing body and spirit.
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