Background and Inspiration
Another Day (2015) is the second novel in David Levithan's Every Day trilogy. Levithan, renowned for exploring identity, love, and empathy in young adult fiction, often writes stories that challenge conventional ideas of relationships and selfhood. The idea for Another Day emerged from Levithan's interest in how love can transcend the physical, social, or even temporal limitations of human connection. Written during the mid-2010s, the novel reflects contemporary concerns about individuality, identity fluidity, and the nature of love in an increasingly complex social world. Levithan drew inspiration from his previous novel Every Day (2012), which introduced A, a mysterious entity inhabiting a different body each day.
Story Premise
The narrative centers around Rhiannon, a high school student navigating the usual challenges of adolescence, relationships, and self-discovery. She is in a romantic relationship with Justin, whose inconsistent behavior leaves her frustrated and questioning the relationship. One day, Justin behaves unexpectedly with kindness and attention, creating a sense of wonder and confusion in Rhiannon. Unbeknownst to her, the body of Justin is inhabited by A, who has the unique ability to live in a different person’s body each day.
Meeting A and the Dilemma of Love
When A reveals their true identity to Rhiannon, she faces a profound emotional challenge. Rhiannon must reconcile her feelings for A with the physical and practical impossibilities of being in love with someone who never occupies the same body twice. Levithan explores how love can exist independently of appearances, focusing on emotional connection, mutual understanding, and trust. Rhiannon's journey forces her to ask difficult questions: Can love survive when physical consistency is absent? Can she imagine a shared future with someone whose presence is never stable?
Conflict and Resolution
Rhiannon experiences tension between her longing for stability, represented by Justin's body, and her emotional bond with A. This inner conflict forms the core of the novel's tension. Levithan emphasizes the difference between infatuation with an external form and deep affection for the mind and heart of another person. Ultimately, Rhiannon concludes that while her feelings for A are genuine, pursuing a conventional romantic relationship is unfeasible. She chooses to step back, accepting the emotional reality of loving someone beyond the physical, highlighting the bittersweet complexity of human connection.
Historical and Literary Context
Another Day was written in the era of expanding awareness of gender, identity, and fluidity in relationships. Levithan's work is part of a broader trend in young adult literature that encourages readers to question societal norms and explore empathy beyond conventional boundaries. This novel not only continues the narrative of Every Day but also deepens the exploration of love, choice, and ethical considerations in relationships.
Conclusion
Through Another Day, Levithan challenges readers to reflect on what truly constitutes love. By presenting A and Rhiannon's unconventional romance, he asks whether emotional intimacy alone can define a relationship and whether love is ever entirely bound to the physical world. The novel is a meditation on connection, choice, and the courage required to navigate love that defies traditional expectations.
