65 pages • 2 hours read
Monica HeiseyA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Maggie serves as both the protagonist and the first-person narrator of the novel, describing a transformative personal journey that spans roughly 13 months. As a Ph.D. student delving into the intricacies of the "lived history of objects" (15) in early modern theater, Maggie juggles her academic pursuits with a role as a research assistant for her Master's thesis supervisor, Merris. With her distinctive curly red hair and "average-sized" physique, Maggie struggles with persistent body-image issues stemming from cultural expectations and a past eating disorder. In moments of heightened stress, she resorts to obsessive dieting as a means of asserting control over chaotic circumstances.
Despite her inherent kindness, Maggie's preoccupation with self-image often complicates her interpersonal connections. Addicted to her phone and to social media platforms, she curates a façade of excitement and glamour around her experiences and traumas, craving external validation from friends, family, and even strangers online. Rejection, whether perceived or real, plunges her into bouts of depression that are further exacerbated by her tumultuous divorce from Jon, and she views the failure of her marriage as a personal affront.
Maggie's post-separation behavior is characterized by relentless attempts to seek validation. This behavior manifests in her daily futile attempts to contact Jon despite his refusal to respond, and she also engages in a string of dates and risky sexual encounters to distract herself from her current troubles. Because she never lived alone prior to the divorce, she lacks the necessary coping mechanisms to do so and struggles to independently define her identity and preferences, often measuring herself against others. In her quest to come to terms with her divorce, Maggie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, delving into her own desires and aspirations. Through this introspective process, she begins to differentiate between genuine interests and mere tolerances, ultimately questioning her career path and exploring alternative avenues. Despite the arduous nature of her evolution, Maggie undergoes significant personal growth throughout the narrative, emerging as a more introspective, empathetic, and self-aware individual by its conclusion.
While Jon's presence looms large throughout the narrative, his physical appearances are sparse, rendering him almost spectral in Maggie's life as she struggles to accept the reality of their divorce. As the narrator, Maggie's characterization of Jon provides a highly biased perspective of his character.Jon is roughly Maggie's age. He shares a college history with her and works as an advertising copywriter, hailing from a lively Greek family background. Financially astute, he demonstrates better fiscal discipline than Maggie, and during their marriage, he generously shouldered expenses such as rent, groceries, and trips.
Jon's immaturity surfaces in his approach to the divorce proceedings, and he opts for an abrupt cessation of communication without elucidating his reasons, and this leaves Maggie fighting to reconcile many unresolved questions about their relationship. During moments of anger, he resorts to derogatory language and often disregards Maggie's emotions, and this behavior contrasts sharply with Maggie's coping mechanisms. Jon's inconsistencies are evident in his behavior; he ranges from urging Maggie to adopt a vegan lifestyle while indulging in pizzas behind her back to critiquing her career path while failing to uphold lofty standards himself. Despite these flaws, Maggie's portrayal presents Jon as a multi-faceted individual who is neither wholly virtuous nor irredeemably flawed, but the narrative makes it clear that he is ultimately incompatible with her. Through Maggie's perceptions and reflections, Jon emerges as a nuanced character who embodies a blend of virtues and shortcomings that contribute to the intricate dynamics of their relationship.
Merris, an esteemed early modernist professor in the English department of Maggie's college, commands a presence that Maggie describes as "somewhere between a feared-yet beloved aunt and a powerful elder witch" (28). Maggie admires Merris as the most knowledgeable individual she has encountered, noting her ability to impart wisdom without belittling others. Merris is in her 70s and shares a duplex with two fellow professors. She has experienced two marriages—one dissolved through divorce, the other ended by widowhood—and she has an estranged daughter named Danielle. Despite Merris’s vast experience and sage advice, Maggie often disregards her counsel, much to her own detriment.
Following Maggie's divorce, Merris extends her support by offering her basement as a rental space, showcasing her genuine concern for Maggie's well-being. However, a pivotal moment occurs after Merris's fall, and she reflects on her relationship with Maggie and labels it “late-onset maternal instinct, misapplied, with unpleasant consequences” (294). Recognizing that their dynamic is not a friendship but is instead a shared struggle, Merris's insight precedes Maggie's own inner realizations and expanded growth. Even as Merris rejects their friendship, Maggie realizes that she truly wants to be friends with Merris. As Maggie matures and evolves, she transitions from having merely a professional relationship with Merris to cultivating a true friendship, underscoring her personal growth and the evolving dynamics of their connection.
Maggie's encounter with Simon is serendipitous, precipitated by a “meet cute” trope in which a poorly aimed lawn dart encourages their interaction. Described as "straightforwardly handsome" at age 31, Simon boasts a successful career at the local online media company, 6Bites. Despite the fact that his recent break-up mirrors Maggie's circumstances, he exudes kindness and a soft-spoken demeanor, leaving an impression of someone who effortlessly garners favor from those around him.
Instantly drawn to Simon, Maggie finds herself torn between her unpreparedness for a new relationship and her sense of unworthiness compared to him. Despite Simon's encouragement for Maggie to accept kindness and perceive herself objectively, her self-doubt persists. Their relationship unfolds with Maggie constantly expecting its demise, a belief that ultimately leads to the relationship's premature end when Simon realizes that Maggie's inability to engage results from her lingering divorce-related issues. Despite his flaws, Simon stands out as a character embodying a healthier approach to grief. Engaging in therapy and demonstrating genuine care for Maggie, he is a beacon of hope for her healing journey. His attempts to reconnect with Maggie reflect his understanding of her struggles, offering a glimmer of possibility for a renewed connection in the future.
While imperfections may mar Simon's past, his presence in Maggie's life highlights the potential for new, fulfilling relationships when she is ready to embrace them fully. Likewise, Simon's character suggests that a person's past does not define them. Though Simon's treated his ex poorly, he acts as a gentle, kind figure for Maggie. Simon's character therefore suggests that healing and growth are attainable, even amidst the complexities of navigating grief and new beginnings.
Amy starkly contrasts Maggie, particularly in their responses to divorce at a young age. Described as "beautiful and small and very, very mad" (87), Amy embodies an adventurous spirit, swiftly immersing herself in the dating scene post-separation. (By contrast, Maggie grapples with sadness over her divorce, not anger, and she would not readily describe herself as physically beautiful.) Amy's proactive approach to managing her divorce is evident in her active lifestyle, and she balances cycling classes with her role as a charge nurse on the pediatric floor of a hospital. Her empathic nature shines through as she readily adjusts to the emotional dynamics of those around her, often extending a helping hand in social situations.
Amy seemingly navigates her divorce of divorce effortlessly, and Maggie lashes out in moments of frustration, stating, "Maybe divorce stuff is harder for me" (272). Despite these outward appearances, however, Amy does struggle with her divorce; Maggie is simply not listening. Amy's resilience and vibrant personality draw Maggie's admiration, evolving their relationship from initial perceptions of Maggie as "heartbroken and cranky" to recognizing her as "super sweet" with "a heart of gold" (351). Their bond deepens as they navigate their divorces together, albeit through contrasting approaches.
Maggie's group chat comprises her four closest friends from college. There is Amirah, "a lightly frazzled, emotionally turbulent nurse"; Clive, "a large and elegant gay man" and reality television producer known for his boisterous humor and sarcasm; and the two Laurens—one who wears her heart on her sleeve, shedding tears at the drop of a hat, and another who claims to have cried only once, "when McDonald's stopped doing pizza" (9). To keep things simple, they dub the former “Emotional Lauren.”
Clive, the group's most vivacious member, boasts his own apartment, a familial inheritance that he received from a great-aunt. Despite his nonchalant and teasing demeanor, Clive drops everything to support Maggie upon learning of her separation.
Amirah, the calm voice of reason in the friend circle, juggles her career as a nurse on the pediatric oncology ward with grace and poise. Even amidst emotional trials, she lends a patient ear to everyone's grievances, embodying casual beauty and a hint of aloofness that captivates those around her.
Lauren, renowned for her unfiltered honesty, offers blunt but well-meaning advice to Maggie, recognizing signs of depression in her descriptions and suggesting interventions when necessary. Despite occasional emotional insensitivity, Lauren displays genuine kindness by holding onto Maggie's wedding ring and offering her a place to stay during her commute.
"Emotional Lauren” is the empathic glue binding the group together, and she often mediates conflicts and offers solace to her friends. Living with her boyfriend, Nour, she exudes kindness and quickly extends support to Maggie, providing a list of therapists after the challenging trivia night.
Together, this eclectic group forms a sturdy support system for Maggie, although she often tests their patience as she navigates her divorce. While Clive uses humor to break through to Maggie, Amirah alternates between silence and direct confrontation. Lauren opts for straightforward and often abrupt confrontations, while “Emotional Lauren” gently nudges Maggie toward positive changes. These varying approaches showcase the friends’ diverse ways of handling Maggie's behavior with care and concern.
Janet, Jon's cat, holds a significant place in Maggie's life despite her ambiguous relationship with the feline. Maggie's affection for Janet is unwavering, even with the cat's penchant for mischief. As the separation unfolds, Janet becomes a prominent symbol in the narrative, embodying Maggie's struggle to maintain ties with Jon. However, Janet also symbolizes Maggie's tendency to pursue relationships that are ultimately detrimental to her well-being. Despite Maggie's desire for a shared custody arrangement, it becomes evident that such an agreement would be impractical and potentially harmful to the cat. Maggie's persistence in seeking this arrangement highlights her selfishness as she fails to prioritize Janet's welfare. Additionally, Maggie's use of Janet's Instagram account to monitor Jon's activities reflects an unhealthy and unproductive fixation. Ultimately, Janet's absence adds another layer to Maggie's grief, amplifying her sense of grief upon losing the familiar presence of the cat. Throughout the story, Janet symbolizes Maggie's longing for the past and her struggle to reconcile her grief over the life she used to have.
Maggie's family dynamics revolve around her divorced parents and her younger sister, Hannah, whom she describes as "younger-but-wiser." Despite the physical distance between herself and her family, Maggie maintains close and frequent communication with her parents, who reside in Kingston, three hours away. Because Maggie’s parents separated during her childhood and completed a formal divorce in her adulthood, Maggie and Hannah were left to navigate a somewhat ambiguous familial landscape, and Maggie humorously speculates that this may have influenced their adult approaches to intimacy. Maggie's mother, while offering supportive guidance, struggles to heed her own advice about letting go of past grievances, often revisiting old arguments with Maggie's father.
Conversely, Maggie's father acknowledges his past mistakes and demonstrates patience and understanding towards Maggie's challenges. Despite his straightforward honesty, he respects Maggie's boundaries and provides constructive advice for her attempts to move forward. Maggie briefly stays with him, finding solace in his supportive presence. Hannah, who is engaged in a long-term relationship with Ed and is contemplating starting a family, remains attentive to Maggie's well-being, regularly checking in on her. However, Maggie occasionally grapples with loneliness and envy as she observes Hannah's travels with Ed.