Jason Mott's latest novel, "People Like Us," blurs the lines between author and character. In a scene, the protagonist answers whether he loves America, acknowledging its flaws yet expressing a deep bond similar to love for a flawed friend. Mott reflects on love's complexities through a character grappling with a girlfriend who professes frequent love, highlighting the pressure such declarations can create. The narrative explores that love is not straightforward and can complicate relationships, evoking a sense of personal reflection and deeper emotional resonance.
MOTT: ...I'm not really sure why she needed to say it that often. It felt like there was pressure to respond in kind, to meet that need. And I never understood how that simplified or complicated our relationship, but it definitely changed the dynamics of how I felt loved.
MOTT: So, what I'm attempting to say through the lens of this character is that love isn't always linear. It's not always easy to digest, and it comes with its own kind of baggage.
Collection
[
|
...
]