Family Meal Literary Elements

Fiction

The setting includes Los Angeles, Houston, and Osaka.

The novel is told in first person from the perspective of Cam, Kai, and TJ.

The tone is introspective and somber. The mood is melancholic and hopeful.

The protagonist is Cam. The antagonist is addiction and grief.

Cam's struggles include dealing with the loss of his boyfriend, addiction, and trying to find a sense of purpose in his life. These conflicts manifest in his relationships with TJ and his attempts to reintegrate into the community and the bakery. The story explores how Cam confronts these challenges to find a way to rebuild his life.

The climax occurs when TJ is engaging sexually with Ian and realizes the fleeting and non-monogamous nature of their relationship.

The mention of the cop car as they drive back home after celebrating Kai's second translation's publication foreshadows the tragic shooting of Kai.

In the line "That’s sweet," Cam downplays the seriousness of the TJ's concern about his health.

The novel entails pop culture references such as Ariana Grande’s music.

TJ uses descriptive language to highlight the depth of his bond with Cam. For instance, "When I tell Cam about Noel’s dinner, he looks up from his phone. He’s laid out on my bedroom carpet. I’m looking down at him from the mattress. At some point, we fell back into this teenage routine. It happened wordlessly. And I didn’t mind. Some days, after we close up shop, I’ll spot him roaming around the house or dozing on the back porch. But my room is one of the few places that I’ve seen him so comfortable."

The dialogue between Kai and Cam regarding celebrating good things is paradoxical. Kai's desire to experience Cam's past "party boy" lifestyle juxtaposes with his current perception of it as a past life and issues with addiction.

The story parallels the relationships Cam has with both Kai and TJ.

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