Return of the Autofictional Protagonist in Patricia Lockwood's New Work: "Will There Ever Be Another You"
Patricia Lockwood, the author of "Will There Ever Be Another You," has released a new novel titled "No One Is Talking About This." The title is a nod to framed vintage issues of Time magazine, one from after 9/11 and another from 1997 featuring the cloned sheep named Dolly.
In "No One Is Talking About This," Lockwood's prose re-magnetizes around plot, but the focus is brief. The novel follows the story of Patricia, a multi-hyphenate writer much like Lockwood herself, who finds herself disoriented by her many representations of her own life.
The novel picks up where Lockwood's first book left off, with Patricia experiencing familial grief as her sister has lost her infant daughter. This tragedy serves as a catalyst for lyric reflection, discussing topics like Anna Karenina, Walter Benjamin, Cabbage Patch Kids, K-dramas, Sondheim, and Radiohead.
Patricia expresses a desire to be released from the repetition of her own past. She reflects on the idea of being condemned to live life twice, looking on everything as Material. Her hand, as a potent appendage for a writer, feels alien to her.
During a family trip to Scotland, Patricia contracts a mysterious illness presumed to be from drinking the water from the Fairy Pools. Later, it is revealed to be Covid-19, leaving her physically and neurologically debilitated. This illness causes a dissociation from all versions of herself.
The novel also delves into the business of writing, including conversations with agents, university visits, publicity, and working on TV and film adaptations. Patricia works with a co-writer, Heidi, to pitch a TV show drawn from her life.
"No One Is Talking About This" explores themes of catastrophic loss and dizzying reduplication. Patricia receives her first book not as "my first book," but "a book arriving in the mail with my name on it." She is involved in a publicity campaign, where she watches multiple images of herself multiply.
The novel is classified as a "shifter" by the linguist Roman Jakobson, with no referent staying stable. The plot serves as a catalyst for introspection and Patricia's attempts to regain her sense of self and the world in the wake of both illness and grief, including by writing a masterpiece about confusion.
"Will There Ever Be Another You" was published by Bloomsbury Circus (UK) and Riverhead (US). If you're looking for a thought-provoking read that explores the complexities of life and art, "No One Is Talking About This" is definitely worth a read.
