I Love You Don’t Die, Jade Song (Review by Victoria Todd)

Rating: 4.0/5 Stars

This novel is very different from her debut, Chlorine. Following an adult and her circle through very millennial problems was a breath of fresh air for this 30s -ish reader. The unique problems and perspectives of our generation are voiced and pondered with a fun NYC background. The descriptions reminded me of my own trips to New York in the best possible way, as if New York was another one of the characters. The author does not just mention the typical spots but makes the reader feel the vibe you get only on those streets. Even with its dark tones throughout, there was still a light air of humor and a certain kitschiness. Finally, a literary fiction that does not hurt my brain with overwhelming complexity. The prose didn’t feel like the author was trying too hard to sound insightful or poetic: I definitely see the parallel to Sally Rooney. Both make their characters feel very real even in these less common situations. I felt for Vicky, I rolled my eyes at her pettiness, I laughed at her jokes. I felt a whole person was represented not just good or bad. No clear villain or hero, just love and friendship and what how they connect, coincide, diverge and compete. The author’s representation of so many types of meaningful relationships was refreshingly fun. I have been drowning in straightforward, heterosexual, monogamous romances so the stark decentering of that paradigm is special. It’s a Jade Song book, so of course it is queer but not in the mainstream publishing is throwing us a bone way. It’s not a gimmick or the focus but just is. I Love You Don’t Die is one of my favorite reads recently.