Real Life Summary
Brandon Taylor

Real Life Overview

Real Life is a novel by Brandon Taylor. The story is set approximately in the present day. The protagonist is Wallace, a gay, Black graduate student at a university in the American Midwest. Wallace studies biochemistry and works in a lab at the university. Despite being a hard worker and having a natural aptitude for lab work, Wallace frequently faces instances of racial discrimination. Wallace struggles with the decision of whether to remain in the program or leave it. Meanwhile, he experiences the formation of a new relationship between himself and another student. The relationship is exciting but also potentially unstable. The novel explores themes of academia, racism, love, trauma, and the pursuit of fulfillment.