The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

“The Rest of Us Just Live Here” is a young adult novel written by Patrick Ness, a British-American author known for his imaginative storytelling and compelling characters. Published in 2015, the book offers a fresh perspective on the popular young adult fantasy genre by focusing on the lives of ordinary teenagers who are not chosen for epic quests or supernatural battles.

The story is set in the fictional town of Lawndale, where strange and extraordinary events frequently occur. However, rather than following the lives of the “indie kids” who are destined to save the world from supernatural threats, the novel centers around a group of friends referred to as “the rest of us.”

The protagonist, Mikey Mitchell, and his friends navigate their final year of high school while dealing with their own personal struggles and insecurities. Mikey, who suffers from anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, is determined to graduate and move on with his life despite the chaos happening around him.

As Mikey and his friends deal with typical teenage issues such as love, friendship, and identity, they also observe the extraordinary events unfolding in their town. These events involve zombie outbreaks, vampires, and other supernatural occurrences, but they are mostly background noise to the main characters’ lives. The “chosen ones” take care of the big battles while Mikey and his friends focus on their own daily challenges.

“The Rest of Us Just Live Here” explores themes of identity, mental health, friendship, and the pressures of adolescence. It subverts the conventions of the hero’s journey trope commonly found in fantasy novels by highlighting the lives of ordinary individuals who aren’t directly involved in saving the world.

Patrick Ness skillfully blends humor, wit, and emotional depth in his writing, creating relatable characters who are flawed and struggling to find their place in the world. The novel celebrates the ordinary and emphasizes the importance of finding meaning and purpose in everyday life, even when one is not destined for grand adventures.

“The Rest of Us Just Live Here” offers a refreshing take on the young adult genre by presenting a heartfelt and introspective story that resonates with readers who may not always feel like the heroes of their own lives. It encourages empathy, self-acceptance, and the appreciation of the quiet moments that make up our lives