The World is Dead (And I'm Full of Joy)

Abstract

The World is Dead (And I’m Full of Joy) is a novel about female friendship. It tells the story of the lives of two women, and the trust, intimacy, micro-aggressions, and tensions that arise between them. It also examines questions of identity and belonging, and the extreme lengths people sometimes go to, to be accepted, and to feel seen or loved. This novel explores the question of religious and spiritual identity (focusing on Orthodox Judaism) on community, and the balance between conformity and individuality. It delves into mental health, from Munchausen’s to addiction. It attempts to treat the subjects with compassion and an understanding of their motivations, regardless of the consequences of their choices. Finally, it explores the effect of these conditions on the subjects’ close relationships, and touches on the way these issues are perceived.