As the title suggests, this wonderfully weird compendium of short stories presents a naturally quirky BBOC, having attracted a considerable cult following with a prose style more subversively cool hipster than weirdo sitting in the corner. The novel houses a critically acclaimed series of narratives, which speak to the reader whilst also filling a niche as a shorter, yet also oddly interesting collection by acclaimed Filmmaker and Artist Miranda July.
By presenting an insight into the human psyche using a range of situations and bodies, July’s characters depict the oddly real yet comfortingly weird. Accordingly, such characters populate her world as an ambiguously natured swimming coach, a couple that auditions as extras to enliven their sex life, and an old woman obsessed with Prince William. Consider those being kicked out of Willow at 4am and you’ll have July’s characters nailed. Most importantly the novel aims to be interestingly subversive with such titles as “Making Love in 2003” yet not in a way that seems ‘try too hard’ or overtly strange. Consider it the paper equivalent of Harry Potter’s Luna Lovegood, except without the strange affinity for Nargles.
An intellectually interesting concept that stretches the mind without giving the reader a migraine, July’s book offers the perfect balm to the exam period. Notably the structure of her stories means a guilt-free pass should you decide to finish one and return at a later date. By inviting the reader into situations that turn the ordinary on its head, the author’s warm and colloquial wit shines through, grounding her characters and their narratives in the realm of the understandingly eccentric, yet also being very real and relatable. Crucially the length also seems to solve the timeless student dilemma of a book interesting enough to spend precious free time on whilst also being short enough to justify reading during intense periods of procrastination.
With a fan base that includes Vogue’s chief editorial staff and DJ Dave Eggers it seems No One Belongs Here More Than You hugs its readers by inviting them into the realm of the familiar whilst also offering a kooky perspective on what it means to live in the everyday world. With another work in the pipeline to add to your literary credentials, launch yourselves into July’s world without regret. Though I take no responsibility for any ensuing Prince William mania.