Abstract

The stories in my thesis collection, Quietly, Loving Everyone: Early Stories, explore characters at the beginning, middle, and end of relationships; with lovers, friends, family, and themselves. My collection explores a balance between the narrative arc of minimalist fiction with the content of existential-humanist stories, while also blending earnestness with humour. These stories raise questions about the growing concern with the Anthropocene, the shroud of mystery surrounding chronic illness, the rising rate of suicide, and modes of infidelity among polyamory and hook-up culture. In a mode that occasionally borders on the metafictional, this collection explores the potential of narrative, of how it can both shield us from reality, and shape it too.
In “Ulcers and Auras,” the protagonist, Purdy O’Connor, reimagines the grieving process and reconciles how little is known about autoimmune diseases with his recent diagnoses, all while daydreaming of a platoon of ulcers taking over the city of Montreal. In “Hotel Viviane,” the titular protagonist takes a road trip with her older sister to visit Race Point Lighthouse, then years later tries to make sense of her sister’s sudden suicide. Underlying all these stories is a sense that something imminent and foreboding is around the corner; yet I hope to create a respite for my readers with moments of levity and keen observation. Despite their flaws, shortcomings, and grievances, you may still come to quietly love these characters.