Everyone I Know is Dying

Everyone I Know is Dying by Emily Slapper presents a searing narrative that plunges deep into the complexities of modern existence, capturing the raw truth of mental health struggles and the often suffocating demands of contemporary life. The novel follows Iris, a young woman navigating a tempestuous world filled with professional ambition, complicated relationships, and the haunting spectre of depression. Iris is astute and observant, yet grapples with the feelings of emptiness that dog her at every turn.

Despite her outward appearances of success and control, Iris finds herself entrapped in a tumultuous affair with her boss. The electric thrill of her clandestine encounters is juxtaposed against the banality of her everyday life, as she observes her co-workers conforming to unhealthy routines that mirror her internal chaos. This dissonance reaches a crescendo when Iris is offered a promotion — a vindication of her efforts that paradoxically fills her with despair rather than triumph.

As Iris's depression looms large, she struggles to reconcile her professional achievements with her internal unrest. The support from her well-meaning friends and family feels oppressive, trapping her in a relentless cycle of expectations and disillusionment. Torn between the steadfast yet unexciting George and the aloof Patrick, she finds herself drawn to choices that promise not solace, but anguish.

Emily Slapper crafts an unflinching and darkly comedic exploration of the pressures faced by young women today. Her narrative deftly exposes the intricate tangles of mental health struggles and the toxic patterns that can evolve from romantic and sexual entanglements. Everyone I Know is Dying resonates deeply with anyone who's ever felt the weight of societal expectations or battled their own inner demons. It is a must-read for fans of novels like Sorrow and Bliss or Cleopatra and Frankenstein.

Readers have praised the book for its incisive portrayal of mental health and its poignant, relatable content:

"An important, electric portrayal of mental health."
"Brutally relatable."
"One of the most powerful books I've ever read."
"Brilliantly written by an outstanding new literary talent."
"Words struggle to express the enormity and the power it holds."
"Raw, relentless, revelatory."