by Anne Serre
First published 2023
The Narrator has known Fanny since they were children, but their friendship has become something more complicated and painful. Fanny struggles with severe psychological disorders that pull her between moments of clarity and episodes of torment. The Narrator loves her deeply, yet finds himself caught in an exhausting cycle of hope and despair as he tries to support her through her battles. Through a series of brief, vivid scenes, their relationship unfolds as both a testament to loyalty and a study in the limits of what one person can do for another. Fanny emerges as strong-willed despite her suffering, fighting demons that threaten to overwhelm her. The Narrator must confront his own anguish as he witnesses her pain, questioning whether his devotion helps or merely prolongs both their suffering. This early novel by Anne Serre captures the bewildering emotional territory of loving someone whose mind works against them.
Genres: romance, literary-fiction, contemporary, psychological-thriller
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
122 pages · Paperback · New Directions
Content warnings: depression, mental-illness