theguardian.com
Patricia Lockwood's "Will There Ever Be Another You": A Novel of Long Covid
Patricia Lockwood's new novel, "Will There Ever Be Another You," details her experience with long Covid, exploring its cognitive effects, including aphasia, hallucinations, and amnesia, through a fragmented narrative style.
- What is the central theme of Lockwood's "Will There Ever Be Another You", and what are its immediate implications for readers?
- The novel's central theme is Lockwood's experience with long Covid and its profound impact on her cognitive abilities and sense of self. This offers readers a unique perspective on the long-term effects of the virus, showcasing the neurological and psychological challenges faced by many long Covid sufferers.
- How does Lockwood's writing style contribute to the novel's exploration of long Covid, and what are the broader literary implications?
- Lockwood employs a fragmented, experimental style mirroring the fragmented nature of her experience with long Covid. This stylistic choice challenges traditional narrative structures, reflecting the disorientation and cognitive disruption of the illness and prompting a broader literary conversation about representing illness.
- What are the potential long-term implications of the novel's exploration of long Covid for literature and societal understanding of the illness?
- The novel's success in vividly portraying the subjective experience of long Covid might destigmatize the illness and encourage further literary explorations of chronic illness. It could also influence public understanding by humanizing the often-invisible struggles faced by long Covid sufferers.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review frames Lockwood's novel as a response to long Covid, emphasizing the author's personal experience and the challenges of representing illness. The focus is on the experimental nature of the book and its connection to Lockwood's previous work and public persona. This framing might prioritize the author's unique perspective over a broader critical analysis of the novel's literary merit or impact. For example, the repeated references to Lockwood's online persona and previous works may overshadow a purely literary analysis.
Language Bias
The review uses strong, evocative language, such as "cruel dissolution," "cortical shrapnel," and "skull-fire." While effective in conveying the intensity of the experience, this language might not be entirely neutral. Terms like "auteurish" and "over-styled" carry negative connotations, potentially influencing the reader's perception of the book's quality. Neutral alternatives might include 'experimental' instead of 'over-styled', and 'unique style' in place of 'auteurish'.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on Lockwood's personal experience and the broader trend of illness narratives in literature, but it omits discussion of specific plot points or detailed character analyses of the novel. It also does not mention potential counter-arguments to its claims, or other critical perspectives. While this is partly due to space constraints, this omission limits the reader's ability to develop a complete understanding of the novel's literary merit.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between representing illness realistically and employing experimental literary techniques. It suggests that the novel's experimental style might detract from its ability to convey the experience of long Covid truthfully. However, the review does not fully explore the possibility that experimental forms might offer a more effective way to capture subjective experience.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article directly addresses the negative impact of long Covid on physical and cognitive health, illustrating the challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and the overall effect on individuals' lives. The author's experience with long Covid, including aphasia, hallucination, migraines, amnesia, paranoia, and relentless self-obliteration, exemplifies the wide-ranging health consequences of the disease. The discussion also highlights the lack of sufficient literary and societal attention to this specific health crisis, hindering the understanding and support needed for those affected.