The Ex

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of suicide.

“Not working for him? What the hell did that mean? I still can’t figure it out. I felt like an employee he’d decided to let go because I’d outlived my usefulness. Or maybe I was too old. When I later saw the next girl he dated, the latter became a real possibility.”

Using an analogy, the Ex (later revealed to be Anna, not Francesca as the novel implies) compares herself to a laid-off employee. She then implies that Joel broke up with her because he wanted someone younger. These concerns suggest that Joel holds the power in their relationship and that she sees it as her role to ensure that she is desirable to him. The Ex attempts to invert this power dynamic by stalking Joel’s new girlfriend.

“The ‘Classics’ sign is in Grandpa Marv’s handwriting—Bea never took down any of the signs her late husband wrote, even as the writing became faded. And now that both of them are gone, Cassie won’t touch them, even though the paper is starting to disintegrate.”

Cassie’s grandparents Marv and Bea act as role models for her future: She believes that they have a perfect relationship, and is proud of their ability to maintain a successful bookstore. In this passage, the image of the disintegrating paper with Marv’s handwriting reflects Cassie’s desire to maintain her grandparents’ traditions and her unwillingness to accept the fact that she is unable to fully do so.

“I always thought there was a distinct line between me and The Homeless. They did drugs. They were alcoholics. They had mental illnesses. I drank responsibly, said no to drugs, and was sane (more or less). But now, with my rent due in two weeks and absolutely no way to pay it, I realize the line isn’t as distinct as I’d once thought.”

The Disempowering Effects of Wealth Inequality is an important theme in the novel. The Ex’s breakup with Joel puts her in a difficult position, as she can no longer afford to live on her own without his financial support.