Literature & Fiction
![Bronwyn Fischer - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B0C4W6QVFM.jpg)
The Adult
An addictively gripping coming-of-age story about an all-consuming, insidious love affair between a college freshman and a mysterious older woman, from an unforgettable new voice in fiction
Eighteen-year-old Natalie has just arrived at her first year of university in Toronto, leaving her remote, forested hometown for the big, impersonal city. Everyone she encounters seems to know exactly who they are. She reads advice listicles and watches videos online and thinks about how to fit in, how to really become someone, whoever that might be.
And then she meets Nora, an older woman who takes an unexpected interest in her, and is drawn unstoppably into Nora's orbit. She begins spending more and more of her time at Nora's perfect, tidy home in her beautiful, quiet world. Natalie lies to her floormates about her absence, inventing a fake off-campus boyfriend, and carefully protects this sacred, adult relationship. This only deepens her obsession, even as she comes to suspect Nora is hiding something. As the secrets multiply and the intensity of the romance threatens to overwhelm her, Natalie realizes that the new, adult identity she had imagined for herself is far from the one she's actually coming to know.
With atmospheric, electric prose that captures the anxiety and emotional intensity of young adulthood like never before, The Adult is about sex, yearning, poetry, and learning to free oneself from the expectations of others. Bronwyn Fischer is an immensely talented new writer to watch.
Eighteen-year-old Natalie has just arrived at her first year of university in Toronto, leaving her remote, forested hometown for the big, impersonal city. Everyone she encounters seems to know exactly who they are. She reads advice listicles and watches videos online and thinks about how to fit in, how to really become someone, whoever that might be.
And then she meets Nora, an older woman who takes an unexpected interest in her, and is drawn unstoppably into Nora's orbit. She begins spending more and more of her time at Nora's perfect, tidy home in her beautiful, quiet world. Natalie lies to her floormates about her absence, inventing a fake off-campus boyfriend, and carefully protects this sacred, adult relationship. This only deepens her obsession, even as she comes to suspect Nora is hiding something. As the secrets multiply and the intensity of the romance threatens to overwhelm her, Natalie realizes that the new, adult identity she had imagined for herself is far from the one she's actually coming to know.
With atmospheric, electric prose that captures the anxiety and emotional intensity of young adulthood like never before, The Adult is about sex, yearning, poetry, and learning to free oneself from the expectations of others. Bronwyn Fischer is an immensely talented new writer to watch.
Editorial Reviews
Named a Most Anticipated Book of Spring 2023 by Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, Autostraddle, Lambda Literary, Bay Area Reporter, The Blade, Queer Forty, & Bookshop.org
"Through Natalie's subtle but vivid narration, Fischer powerfully evokes the all-consuming force of a relationship confined to a private universe…While this brimming tension almost makes The Adult an understated thriller, the novel's quieter intrigue exists in the articulation-or disarticulation-of the awakening of queer desire."―Daisy Lafarge, The New York Times Book Review
"The Adult smolders with barely contained longing. Natalie's voice-restrained, lyric, and precise-transported me back to the exquisite desperation of first love. Fischer's debut novel is like a visit from your younger self-even as you worry about Natalie, you won't be able to look away."―Alyssa Songsiridej, author of Little Rabbit, shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize
"All-consuming. The Adult has it all: betrayal, the intensity of inexperienced queer infatuation, and a perceptive and comic voice. A bright and poignant coming-of-age story that will leave you thinking, 'I hope Bronwyn Fischer writes more!'"―Emily Austin, author of Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead
"A powerful, queer coming-of-age story about a young woman in the throes of first love… This gripping novel has the distinct pang of nostalgia mixed with the discomfort of growing up - a bittersweet but delicious experience."―Buzzfeed
"A dreamy debut" ―Electric Literature's Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Books for Summer 2023
"It's a lesbian tale as old as time, but that doesn't mean it can't be done in a fresh, exciting way: a college student has a life-changing affair with an older woman."―Autostra...
"Through Natalie's subtle but vivid narration, Fischer powerfully evokes the all-consuming force of a relationship confined to a private universe…While this brimming tension almost makes The Adult an understated thriller, the novel's quieter intrigue exists in the articulation-or disarticulation-of the awakening of queer desire."―Daisy Lafarge, The New York Times Book Review
"The Adult smolders with barely contained longing. Natalie's voice-restrained, lyric, and precise-transported me back to the exquisite desperation of first love. Fischer's debut novel is like a visit from your younger self-even as you worry about Natalie, you won't be able to look away."―Alyssa Songsiridej, author of Little Rabbit, shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize
"All-consuming. The Adult has it all: betrayal, the intensity of inexperienced queer infatuation, and a perceptive and comic voice. A bright and poignant coming-of-age story that will leave you thinking, 'I hope Bronwyn Fischer writes more!'"―Emily Austin, author of Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead
"A powerful, queer coming-of-age story about a young woman in the throes of first love… This gripping novel has the distinct pang of nostalgia mixed with the discomfort of growing up - a bittersweet but delicious experience."―Buzzfeed
"A dreamy debut" ―Electric Literature's Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Books for Summer 2023
"It's a lesbian tale as old as time, but that doesn't mean it can't be done in a fresh, exciting way: a college student has a life-changing affair with an older woman."―Autostra...
Readers Top Reviews
sandy777
Truly a wonderful read. Beautiful writing, captivating characters and a striking perspective on the experiences you have as you try to grow up! Excellent debut novel for Bronwyn Fischer ( young, Canadian author)! Highly recommend.
Kelly J. Pramberger
I loved this coming-of-age story! Five stars! The writing is excellent, and I devoured all of it quickly. The main character is a freshman in college and navigating through her first relationship, and it happens to be with an older woman. I enjoyed the characters and the campus setting. The book explored what it was like to be away from home and suddenly live with new people, meet new friends, and take classes. The author did a fantastic job telling this story!
RangerGeraldineJody
Mostly this is a book about a clueless, naive girl with no control over her own life. She just lets things happen to her and seems to live in a dreamy nightmare that other people direct. 2 stars because I finished it.
