Abstract

Set in a fictional Canadian suburb, this episodic novel centres on a group of characters of varying ages, social statuses, sexual orientations, and origins who are connected by relationships to each other and to their community. The lead protagonists of the novel are Violet Addams and Lucas Gibson, 20-something roommates, unwillingly sharing a townhouse. Lucas Gibson lives and works in the suburbs as a software engineer for a high technology firm. As the novel opens, Violet Addams, a recent university graduate, editor, and aspiring writer who finds herself at loose ends, moves to the suburbs to stay with her brother and his roommate, Lucas, and also to escape from the heartbreak of a failed relationship. Initially believing her circumstances to be temporary, Violet suddenly finds herself responsible for her brother's share of expenses when she discovers that he has fled his dissatisfying home life and complicated social life before she arrived. Violet and Lucas' time together begins. From this start, the narrative moves to stories about their immediate friends, relatives, and neighbours to create a portrait of the complex suburban experience. As time goes on, we see this group of characters evolve as we track their lives and loves.