Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance

As the protagonist and narrator, Sally shapes the novel through the lens of her own memory. Her identity is forged in the shadow of her older sister, Kathy, whose death is the novel’s central event. Initially, Sally defines herself almost entirely as an extension of Kathy, acting as a quiet observer and a “very good listener” (4) who absorbs her sister’s knowledge, interests, and even her infatuation with Billy. This deep bond informs the entire narrative, which is framed as a direct address from Sally to her deceased sister, a lifelong conversation that keeps Kathy’s presence alive. Sally’s development is a progression from this secondary, observational role toward the formation of an independent self. Her journey is marked by her struggle to reconcile her own feelings with her loyalty to Kathy’s memory, a conflict that defines her relationships and choices for nearly two decades.

The central conflict in Sally’s life following the accident is her relationship with Billy, a bond defined by The Intersection of Love, Guilt, and Shared Trauma. Their connection is born from the wreckage of the car crash, an event for which they both feel a secret, immense responsibility.