48 pages • 1-hour read
All We Ever Wanted
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Background
Cultural Context: The Impact of Social Media and the Digital Age
Technology, specifically social media, plays a pivotal role in the daily lives of many people in the 21st century. Social media allows for quick and easy access—not only to information but also to others. Common social media platforms include Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. Merriam-Webster defines social media as “forms of electronic communication […] through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content” (“Social Media.” Merriam-Webster). The quick exchange of information and content, such as videos and pictures, creates a hub for constant access to other peoples’ lives. As a society, social media has perpetuated conversations and the exchange of information that many rely on daily.
The digital age refers to “the present time, in which many things are done by computer and large amounts of information are available because of computer technology” (“Digital Age.” Dictionary.Cambridge). Modern society relies on technology to provide information at all times. Many people rely on their computers and smartphones for work, school, and personal activities, creating dependence on technology.
In Giffin’s novel, the characters utilize technology and forms of social media, such as Snapchat, to talk to each other as well as spread information and content that harms another individual. The novel explores how social media can be used in negative ways that hurt and betray. It illustrates the detrimental consequences that come with not utilizing technology responsibly.
Authorial Context: Emily Giffin
Emily Giffin is a New York Times bestselling author who originally went to school to become a lawyer. After working in New York at a law firm, Giffin “wrote a novel in her very limited spare time, and dreamed of becoming a writer” (“Official Biography.” Emily Giffin). She has written 12 novels, including her first published book Something Borrowed (2004), which became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a 2011 film starring Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin. The novel’s sequel, Something Blue (2005), almost made it to the big screen as well.
Although Giffin’s first novel became a bestseller, several publishers originally rejected her first manuscript after she moved to London to pursue writing fulltime. Although she struggled to begin her writing career, the success of Something Borrowed propelled her to “to never practice law again” (“Official Biography.” Emily Giffin).
Giffin’s novels are mostly literary fiction, where the action is driven by character. Her work tends to follow the lives of several characters as they attempt to navigate their relationships with each other. Giffin creates complex characters and storylines to illustrate the intricacy of human relationships and how they exist within their environments. In All We Ever Wanted, Giffin portrays characters across different generations, specifically children and their parents, and depicts different perspectives regarding a singular situation. Like Giffin’s other books, All We Ever Wanted focuses on the characters’ internal lives.
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