Loneliness

The novel explores the universality of loneliness by way of all three protagonists’ intersecting storylines. On their surfaces, Agatha Paul, Millie Cousins, and Kennedy Washburn are starkly different from one another. Agatha is a 38-year-old, established teacher and writer. Millie is a 24-year-old focused and driven second time senior. Kennedy is an isolated junior in college with creative nonfiction aspirations. However, as the protagonists’ storylines become increasingly entwined, their characters appear increasingly similar to one another.

Agatha’s, Millie’s, and Kennedy’s primary similarity is their common experience with loneliness. They either all gravitate towards solitude, or are attempting to reconcile themselves with their isolation from others. For example, when Agatha first plans her move to Arkansas, she realizes that she is “very good at being alone” (6). However, her solitude rapidly mutates into loneliness when she leaves her wife Robin behind in Chicago after their...