Lydia Millet Explores Grief in Double Novel 'Fair Ones'

Previously, Millet's 2022 novel, Dinosaurs, reflects her interest in extinct creatures, but Fair Ones shifts the focus from climate change, a consistent theme in her work, to gun violence. While influenced by her current life in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson and her role at the Center for Biological Diversity, the novel also draws from her earlier experiences in New York City.

Fair Ones revolves around Mara and Jen, two women in their forties, grappling with the aftermath of their friend Claire’s death. Claire is killed in a random act of violence—a shooting by a thirteen-year-old boy. The narrative begins with Mara’s perspective in Fair, shortly after Claire’s murder, and continues with Jen's point of view in Ones, set a year later. Throughout, the women's connection remains palpable, as they bond over shared memories of Claire, who they describe as the “invisible third party.”

In an interview, Millet explained her motivation for writing Fair Ones. She aimed to craft a realistic dialogue-driven narrative that would keep her engaged during the writing process. She emphasized the distinction between not boring herself and not boring readers, viewing this project as an experiment in conversation rather than thought.

The story opens at a wake where Mara and Jen are mourning Claire. As they navigate their grief, they face numbing shock and denial among other emotions. Millet confessed that she did not prepare a detailed outline for the characters' emotional journeys; instead, she wanted to embrace the shock collaboratively with them.

When discussing the structure, Millet reflected on how the interdependency of close friends shapes their identities and experiences, which she represented through the dual narratives. The title, Fair Ones, conveys various meanings—beauty, mediocrity, and justice—adding depth to the work.

Millet drew inspiration from party scenes in literature and cinema for various interactions in the book, noting her enjoyment of such settings despite attending few parties herself nowadays. A memorable character, Jase, appears in these scenes and reflects behaviors Millet did not have to stretch her imagination to create, hinting at aspects of reality.

The novel also makes a playful reference to actor Jon Hamm who features in a cameo, which Millet found fitting and amusing, noting his name's similarity to her brother's. Set primarily in New York City, the location captures elements of social life and vibrant urbanity.

Fair Ones concludes with Jen's narrative in a way that Millet described as a softened version of an ending she had initially envisioned. For her next project, she is working on a novel titled Duchy Keep, which focuses on a fictitious kingdom ruled by a fake archduke during an annual summer event.

Fair Ones is published by W.W. Norton & Company.