Jem Calder’s debut novel, “I Want You to Be Happy,” redefines the love story by meticulously detailing the contemporary landscape where characters navigate both physical and digital realities. The novel opens with a sharply humorous and confident portrayal of a man and woman meeting in a bar, their conversation a delicate dance over loud music and subtle flirtations. The age difference – she’s 23, he’s 35 – is revealed through a candid exchange, stripped of specific names or locations, highlighting the universal nature of such encounters.
Calder, much like his characters, is perfectly in tune with the times. Following the acclaim of his 2022 short story collection, “Reward System,” this novel employs a factual and dispassionate writing style reminiscent of Sally Rooney or Vincenzo Latronico. His keen eye for the minutiae of the world echoes authors like Nicholson Baker, Bret Easton Ellis, or even early Don DeLillo, creating a background hum of familiar cultural touchstones. This attention to detail is evident as the narrative progresses. Walking home, a character seamlessly integrates into her digital world, prompted by a push notification to stream a new album by her favorite singer-songwriter. When the new music doesn’t quite hit the mark, she effortlessly navigates to familiar tracks, her voice joining the familiar melodies, finding comfort in what she already knows.
English Translation:
Jem Calder’s debut novel, “I Want You to Be Happy,” redefines the love story by meticulously detailing the contemporary landscape where characters navigate both physical and digital realities. The novel opens with a sharply humorous and confident portrayal of a man and woman meeting in a bar, their conversation a delicate dance over loud music and subtle flirtations. The age difference – she’s 23, he’s 35 – is revealed through a candid exchange, stripped of specific names or locations, highlighting the universal nature of such encounters.
Calder, much like his characters, is perfectly in tune with the times. Following the acclaim of his 2022 short story collection, “Reward System,” this novel employs a factual and dispassionate writing style reminiscent of Sally Rooney or Vincenzo Latronico. His keen eye for the minutiae of the world echoes authors like Nicholson Baker, Bret Easton Ellis, or even early Don DeLillo, creating a background hum of familiar cultural touchstones. This attention to detail is evident as the narrative progresses. Walking home, a character seamlessly integrates into her digital world, prompted by a push notification to stream a new album by her favorite singer-songwriter. When the new music doesn’t quite hit the mark, she effortlessly navigates to familiar tracks, her voice joining the familiar melodies, finding comfort in what she already knows.