Lauran Berlant explores the type of optimism which ends up hurting those who choose it for themselves by first approaching an understanding of optimism in its 'cruel' form, which is a perverse type of attachment that causes harm which is not consistent with how the reader perceives attachment. The structure of the book is academic, and it centers on definitions and clarifications which a work of 'popular' analysis might avoid in favor of advancing a message which is more directly shareable and discussible with others.
She critiques the idea of the good life, focusing on the relationship between someone and what they want. When this relationship is too strong, the object of someone's desire can become too important; if the individual cannot maintain this connection, all that they live for may fall away.
She explores her definition of cruel optimism through the presentation of affective genres, noticing how the conditions of peoples' lives cause them to feel a certain way and to exhibit repetitive patterns such as tragedy or desperation. After looking at the idea of the present, or a time of ordinary crisis, she presents cultural theory including queer theory and critical theory, ultimately offering generalization as a way to escape the mundane and make meaningful progress in moving beyond the restraints she sees in capitalism.
