Sweetbitter

The language of this book is poetic. Romanticizes New York, all the things you can romanticize about moving to that city and being there on your own, from the viewpoint of someone who really does get it. It romanticizes working in the service industry. People who have never worked in it won’t get it, but those who do. Everyone has a Simone in their life. Everyone knows someone who has dreams of being something bigger, something better. Someone who got stuck and lost throughout the way. Portrayed as superior, intelligent, enigmatic- but in reality is nobody of importance, despite the facade she puts on. Just because someone is older than you, doesn’t mean you have to worship them. Bonus points if you have ever worked as a server or somewhere in the hospitality industry, and have been victim of idolizing a person like Simone; only for the facade to crumble and realize that you need out asap before you turn into a Simone yourself. Tess is a little too relatable, she’s what can easily be dreamed of doing. Running off & starting new, rebranding. Easy to relate, especially at a younger age; not knowing who is right or wrong for you. Allowing your vision to be swayed too suddenly, taking the advice of anyone older than you just because they’ve been around for longer. But just because they have been around doesn’t mean that they make smart decisions and should be telling you what to do. Some people are innately cruel. The charisma of being involved in something. Working in a place that everyone knows, owning what you know and who you know. Getting involved in things you shouldn’t be involved in; things you know that are bad for you but too good to pass up, too eager to experience the freedom of choice, only to realize it wasn’t your choice to make at all. If I read this book a few years ago while living in Manhattan, it would have altered my brain chemistry in ways I didn’t understand. But reading now, I can only feel nostalgia and awe, and understanding. I wish I wrote