Alicia kim's blog

Introduction:
We Are Okay is a coming-of-age novel by Nina LaCour, published in 2017. The book introduces Marin, a college freshman who distances herself from her past after the death of her grandfather, the only family she had. Alone in her dorm during winter break, she is confronted by Mabel, her best friend, who forces her to face the pain she has been avoiding. Through quiet reflection and emotional tension, the story reveals how one’s loss reshapes identity and how connection offers a path toward recovery.

Analysis:
The author demonstrates how silence can be both a shield and a prison, and Marin’s grief in We Are Okay causes her to withdraw from other people. As she battles the secrets her grandfather kept hidden, her withdrawal following his passing represents both betrayal and loss. Flashbacks to her time spent with Mabel and her grandfather underscore the warmth she has lost, while the deserted dorm environment exacerbates her loneliness and reflects the emptiness in her life. Marin is forced to confront the feelings she has suppressed when Mabel reappears, demonstrating how her suffering has only gotten worse as a result of her avoidance. Their delicate yet tense exchanges reveal Marin’s fear of closeness and her conviction that trust and love are no longer secure. Grief is depicted in the book as cyclical, with memories dragging Marin back while the present requires her to start moving on. LaCour depicts healing as gradual opening up and allowing Mabel to stay, rather than as a dramatic change. Grief alters one’s perception of the past and makes the future more uncertain, as shown by Marin’s battle with memory and identity. Mabel’s perseverance emphasizes the importance of chosen family in healing, implying that if both parties are prepared to face the suffering together, a bond can endure breakup. By the end, Marin starts to understand that vulnerability—no matter how terrifying—is necessary for healing and that her silence cannot keep her safe forever.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, We Are Okay shows how relationships and identity can be shattered by grief, but that love and honesty can start to heal the damage. Marin’s journey from loneliness and silence to confronting her pain highlights both the need for connection and the challenges of healing. Although loss alters us, it does not negate the potential to reestablish intimacy, trust, and hope for the future, as LaCour’s subdued yet impactful story illustrates.