Erin Narby on How Gossip Inspired Her Debut Novel 'Saturn Returning' and the Complexities of Queer Friendship
By
Kim Narby
Toasted golden, schmeared with insight. Top of the rack.
Summary
Author Erin Narby shares how her debut novel 'Saturn Returning' was inspired by a Hinge match's gossip about a friend breaking off an engagement and falling in love with her. The essay explores the complexities of queer friendships, chosen family, and how lesbian relationships can be complicated in ways mainstream media rarely portrays. Narby reflects on writing about queer friendship dynamics, the pain and toxicity that can exist in chosen families, and the journey of finding the right community.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMy best friend just broke off her engagement and told me she's in love with me, a girl texted me, after canceling our scheduled date.
Sometimes, chosen family can be painful. Sometimes, chosen family can be toxic and co-dependent. Sometimes, you haven't quite found the right chosen family yet.
I'd yet to have a queer friend group of my own, but my mind expanded with all the ways lesbian relationships could be complicated.
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