DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/0E1E-SM22
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
English
First Advisor
Sonja Livingston
Second Advisor
Gretchen Comba
Third Advisor
Jessica Hendry Nelson
Fourth Advisor
Shelli Fowler
Abstract
Lonely People Anonymous is a collection of creative nonfiction essays and an excerpt from an in-progress novel bearing the same name. The collection of personal essays reflects on psychogenic illness, mental illness, Seventh-day Adventism, losing one’s faith, and making peace with a meaningless existence through connection with others. Lonely People Anonymous is a speculative fiction novel that follows Henry as he joins what he believes to be a support group for loneliness. When he’s offered the chance to take part in a three-month study, Henry discovers that the group’s leader, Rich, has created a device that allows users to experience the memory of others. While this device initially helps Henry connect with other members, Rich’s darker intentions for the technology are gradually revealed throughout the course of the novel, making Henry have to choose between his loyalty to Rich and his loyalty to another member, Julia, who he has fallen in love with. The novel explores loneliness in America and the need for community despite its dangers.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-7-2025