Gilda is a twenty-something atheist lesbian burdened by intrusive thoughts about mortality and a paralyzing inability to say no. After crashing her car, she wanders into a Catholic church and is mistaken for a job applicant. Desperate for structure, she accepts a position as an administrative assistant, replacing Grace, an elderly woman who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Gilda spends her days posing as a straight believer while secretly responding to emails sent to Grace by a concerned friend, an act of deception that draws police attention.
This story serves readers who experience high-functioning anxiety and the persistent weight of existential dread. It attracts those interested in the friction between organized religion and secular identity, as well as the absurdity of modern employment. Readers walk away with a stark portrayal of how mental illness distorts social interactions and a recognition that most people are clumsily attempting to navigate their own private fears. The narrative provides a blunt look at the exhaustion inherent in survival and the strange connections formed through shared vulnerability.
Inward-looking; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2021
- Language
- EN
