I’ve always cherished queer literature for its profound impact on my life. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself drawn to subtler portrayals of queerness—stories where queer elements blend seamlessly into the “boredom” of everyday life, almost unnoticed. Michael Cunningham is one author who provides such nuanced narratives.
In Day, Michael Cunningham presents a touching and lyrical exploration of time, loss, and the quiet devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As his first novel in nearly a decade, Day arrived at a moment when the world was still, to a certain extent, grappling with the aftermath of a global event that redefined our collective existence. Through Cunningham’s elegant prose and intricate character studies, the novel emerges not just as a story of a family in crisis but as a broader meditation on the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
Structured with the precision of a stage play, Day unfolds over three consecutive years—2019, 2020, and 2021—each segment reflecting different phases of the pandemic’s impact. Divided into three acts corresponding to different times of day—morning, midday, and evening—the novel mirrors the pandemic’s progression. This framing allows Cunningham to explore the evolution of his characters’ lives and emotions as they navigate their shifting world. The careful division of the day not only provides a rhythmic structure to the narrative but also deepens the thematic resonance of the novel, emphasizing the passage of time and the exploration of change and identity. It reminds me of a core teaching in Buddhism—everything changes—a fundamental truth for all existence.
At the heart of Day is a Brooklyn family struggling with personal and collective upheavals. Isabel, a once-successful photo editor facing the obsolescence of her career, and her husband Dan, a former rock star clashing with the decline of his musical aspirations, are emblematic of a generation caught between the nostalgia of past achievements and the disillusionment of present realities. Their two children, Nathan and Violet, are portrayed with a blend of tenderness and authenticity, embodying the confusion and resilience of youth in an uncertain world. Nathan, on the verge of adolescence, and Violet, navigating early childhood, reflect the broader influence of the pandemic on a younger generation, whose formative years were marred by isolation and change.
Yet it is Robbie, Isabel’s younger brother, who emerges as the novel’s most compelling figure. A thirty-something gay man who has just ended a relationship, Robbie had once deferred a promising medical career to become a schoolteacher, believing it to be a more meaningful vocation. Now, he finds himself questioning the value of his choices. His struggles with his career and personal life are further complicated by his role as an adoring but somewhat aimless uncle to Nathan and Violet. The creation of Robbie’s Instagram persona, “Wolfe,” serves as a metaphor for his internal conflict. Wolfe, an imaginary figure derived from a childhood fantasy, embodies the idealized version of a life Robbie and his sister Isabel once dreamed of—a life of success, confidence, and fulfillment that stands in stark contrast to Robbie’s current reality.
Cunningham’s narrative is deeply introspective, focusing on the internal lives of his characters rather than the external chaos of the pandemic. This emphasis on the personal allows Day to resonate universally, capturing the nuances of human emotion and experience. The reader is invited to identify with different characters, as almost each is given enough space to become the protagonist. The novel’s exploration of despair, nostalgia, and hope is conveyed with sensitivity and depth, inviting reflection on one’s own experiences of loss and transformation. You are drawn into the intimate world of the characters—their struggles, and mostly, their forms of domestic love, whether romantic, familial, or platonic. Whether it’s the love between a mother and child, between siblings, or between old friends, Cunningham’s writing defies simple labels and reveals the subtle nuances of these affections, making them universally relatable.
While Day echoes themes from Cunningham’s earlier work, particularly his Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hours (later adapted into an Oscar-winning film), it distinguishes itself with a unique focus on the specific moments of the pandemic. His portrayal of the COVID-19 health crisis as an inciting event rather than the central focus allows for a more nuanced examination of its effects on the characters. By setting the story in the space between pre-pandemic normalcy and post-pandemic uncertainty, Cunningham highlights how the COVID-19 era has altered our perceptions of time and identity. The characters’ journeys through different life stages reflect broader societal shifts, emphasizing the profound yet often unnoticed ways in which time shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world. Cunningham’s ability to capture the complexities of personal and collective trauma while suggesting the potential for transformation and renewal makes Day a powerful and enduring work.
What I appreciate most is that Day is not just a novel about the pandemic; it is a timeless exploration of how we cope with forces beyond our control and come to terms with the changes they bring. Through its richly drawn characters and contemplative narrative, the novel offers a poignant reflection on the human condition. Whether through a character’s thoughts, dialogues, interactions, or even the environments they inhabit, like Isabel’s staircase, the story unfolds with intention.
It’s hard to say more without giving away too much (no spoilers today), so I’ll try to summarize the book’s essence—Day is a meditation on the nature of existence and how we seek meaning in the face of profound change. It challenges us to consider our responses to suffering and reflect on the possibility of growth and redemption. Through Day, Michael Cunningham once again demonstrates his mastery of language and his profound understanding of the human experience, crafting a novel that will resonate long after its final pages are turned. I hope this review sparks enough curiosity for you to pick up the book, as I believe it’s worth your attention.Day, a novel by Michael Cunningham, was first published on November 14, 2023, by Random House.
Photo: Michal Huštaty
