Come and Get It, by Kiley Reid
Reading Like Writers Book Club
In the monthly Reading Like Writers Books Club, we are examining a published book-length story to excavate the three components of the “groundwork” we talk about around here. At the end you’ll have access to a conversation I had with my friend about the book.
Remember, reading like writers helps us become better writers. Come along, my friend!
Disclaimer #1: Spoilers are imminent. If you want to save this post for after you’ve read the book, please feel free! But much can be learned from a discussion of a story even if you haven’t read it, so I encourage the rest of you to read on.
The Groundwork for a Story:
Message: what the author is trying to say to the reader about the human experience
Character Arc: how the character(s) change internally from the beginning to the end (usually related to the message)
Turning Points: key plot points that affect this change in the character’s arc, and how.
February’s Read: Come and Get it, by Kiley Reid
The Message
Disclaimer #2: authors can’t control what message a reader takes away from the story. Without talking with the author, there is no way to know what they actually intended! But this is my takeaway…
There is a lot to chew on in this story, but ultimately it is a story of young women impulsively going after what they want, using their power to manipulate others, and ultimately having to face the consequences of doing so.
Side note: while I was reading it I kept reminding myself that most of these characters are so young that their prefrontal cortexes aren’t fully developed yet. I think it’s really interesting that Kiley Reid chose that age group to explore power dynamics.
Character Arc
There are multiple point-of-view characters in this story, but for simplicity’s sake we’ll go with Millie, the central character.
Misbelief:
Millie begins the story as a kind of Type-A person, always going above and beyond to help others, do the right thing, and meet some vague goal she has for herself of “success” in life.
How it changes:
By the end of the story, Millie has made several decisions that have caused problems for her and for others. She has also hit a very low point both personally and professionally, and yet she has survived, which the reader can only hope shows her that, while she needs to learn from what happened, she can loosen her grip on that need to control everything.
Turning Points
There are many turning points in any novel. I’ve chosen a few to illustrate how plot events and character arcs are tied together.
Millie hears unofficially that she will receive the job she has been hoping for. This is a moment toward the beginning when Millie’s efforts thus far are being rewarded, and it ultimately is the high point from which she is going to tumble over the course of the story.
Millie agrees to help Agatha eavesdrop on the younger residents for her research. This is Millie’s first poor decision, which sets in motion many of the other events. It’s also when Millie succumbs to Agatha’s manipulation.
Millie seduces Agatha. This point is tricky, because one might argue that she can’t seduce Agatha because of their power dynamic. But I think this was a moment of Millie reclaiming her own power, making an impulsive choice, and again making the following events inevitable.
Book Chat Recording!
Disclaimer #3: I am reading like a writer in an attempt to become a better writer. I’m sure there were things I missed or misunderstood. That’s why conversation is important!
Here is my conversation about Come and Get It with my friend
!Let’s discuss! What observations, A-Ha’s, or questions came up for you around my thoughts, or the book in general?
March’s Read:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V.E. Schwab
Have a beautiful week, my friend!
Warmly,
Stephanie
P.S. I’ll be here when you’re ready. 🌻
P.P.S. Love this post? Please forward it to a friend!
I read a note yesterday that said something like plot doesn't matter, it's what the plot *means* to the characters. I've been thinking about that so much since, and you've noted it brilliantly here in the turning points!