CW: Self-harm, cutting
Image from Santa Fe Writers Project.
Mona at Sea by Elizabeth Gonzalez James is a debut novel that takes a look at life’s transitional stages during economic recessions. Taking place in Tucson, we are introduced to a young woman named Mona Mireles who faces adulthood as a recent college graduate during the 2008 economic crisis. A life of high GPAs, academic achievements, and trophies does little to prepare Mona as she learns that the company which has offered her a job in New York has closed its doors after filing for bankruptcy. All this is captured as a news reporter notices that Mona has shown up to the building with suitcases in hand as she has just arrived from Arizona. During this short viral interview, Mona is distraught and has consequently earned the nickname “Sad Millennial” online—a nickname that follows her as strangers ask for pictures during the most inconvenient times, and a painful reminder of a missed opportunity.
After applying to hundreds of jobs with no offer in sight, Mona decides to join a local support group for job seekers after her mother hints that she needs to find an apartment of her own. Life is not what Mona expected, and it becomes increasingly difficult as she closes herself off, not realizing that the pressure and frustration are causing her to push loved ones further away. Mona also has a secret that prevents her from becoming too close and vulnerable with others. This secret intensifies as she faces job scarcity, her parents’ dwindling marriage, dating, and the feeling of hopelessness as she navigates life after college.
Mona at Sea reminds readers that the more we try to control life, the harder it is to see opportunities that can also lead us to great things — even if they don’t look like what we expected them to be. When things don’t go as planned, how do we continue to live a life that is still meaningful and fulfilling?
Gonzalez James does a wonderful job of describing how recessions impact individuals, especially younger adults who are eager to dive into the fields they studied for. What stood out to me was the clear message that when life becomes heavy, allowing ourselves to open up to others can help us navigate life and find healthier coping strategies. This story is a powerful reminder of what can arise when we place too much of our identity with what we do for a living, and how we all mutually benefit when we honor our own definitions of success.
Ruddy Lopez lives in Inglewood, California, and attended California State University, Long Beach. She obtained a BA in English Literature and English Education and is a Fellow of the Los Angeles Review of Books Publishing Workshop. She is an educator who is transitioning to editing and publishing. In her spare time, Ruddy enjoys reading, writing poetry, and exploring what her city has to offer.
