✨There are degrees of obsession, of awareness, of grief, of insanity”💔
Nina LaCour’s “We Are Okay” is a story about grief, about losing a sense of self and the need to escape reality. The plot is simple: Marin runs away from California to New York, to attend college, following the demise of her sole guardian- her grandfather- and learning about how her life and what she had been told about her late mother wasn’t entirely true. Unable to face reality, she runs away from the comfort provided by her best friend, Mabel and her parents.
As Mabel decides to visit Marin during the winter break after not communicating for months- Marin recollects her past memories and reflects on her life in California while spending time with her once lover, trapped in her dorm room thanks to the snowy weather.
As Mabel confronts Marin, she learns the truth about what her friend had gone through and understands the actions taken by her.
The novel is entirely character-driven; the shifting, non-linear plot which includes Marin’s flashbacks, focuses and highlights how the actions of the characters build and further the plot- a contrast to a plot-driven novel where situation ensures characters’ actions.
LaCour often draws parallels between Jane from Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Marin. Furthermore, the snowy, gloomy and miserable weather of New York not only adds to the dark mood of the story, it mirror’s the protagonists’ turbulent emotions and thoughts.
The author also explicitly shows that Marin and Mabel were not merely best friends- they loved each other and that their bond was deeper than what others perceived. Mabel becomes Marin’s true companion, her solace and the person whom she could rely on for joy and happiness. Thus, when Mabel finally confronts Marin about her sudden disappearance and if she thought about how it would affect her- Marin is unable to provide a proper answer. To herself, she wishes that things could go back to how they once were but the pandora’s box that has been opened made sure that Marin wouldn’t remain the same person.
The representation in the novel is on point- neither Mabel nor Marin have that “coming out” moment and their relationship just progresses naturally. Additionally, their struggles are not solely based on their sexual identities which is a fresh take. But the subplot that focuses on Mabel’s parents wanting to make Marin a part of their family was very weird. However, if speculated- Marin would be turning 18 soon as she’s already in college thus becoming an adult. Maybe the sentiments portrayed by Mabel’s parents are based on emotional support instead of actual familial support as it is subtly hinted that Mabel’s mother had a faint idea that her daughter and Marin were maybe more than friends.
Without using overcomplicated vocabulary and storyline, Nina LaCour’s “We Are Okay” is a brilliant novel with sympathetic characters. Although the book deals with grief- it doesn’t directly address it. The author explores, rather, the various stages of grief and other coping mechanisms which makes this novel stand out than the others that deal with similar themes.
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