Everything, Everything
Nicola Yoon
"Everything, Everything," written by Nicola Yoon and published in 2015, is a contemporary young adult novel that tells the story of Maddy Whittier, a teenage girl who has been isolated from the outside world due to a rare illness called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).
The novel explores themes of love, risk, and the desire for freedom, as Maddy begins to question the limits placed on her life and what it means to truly live. Through a mix of traditional narrative, illustrations, and unconventional formats like emails and charts, "Everything, Everything" offers a unique and engaging reading experience.
Summary of the Novel
Maddy Whittier is an 18-year-old girl who has spent her entire life inside her home due to SCID, a condition that makes her allergic to almost everything in the outside world. Her mother, a doctor, is highly protective of her, ensuring that their home is a sterile environment where Maddy is safe from potential allergens and pathogens. Maddy’s only contact with the outside world is through her books, online classes, and her nurse, Carla, who visits daily.
Maddy’s life changes when a new family moves in next door, and she becomes intrigued by Olly, the boy who lives there. Despite her mother’s strict rules, Maddy and Olly begin communicating through notes, emails, and eventually face-to-face meetings, arranged secretly by Carla. As Maddy and Olly grow closer, Maddy begins to question the restrictions placed on her life and her desire to experience the world beyond her home.
Driven by her growing feelings for Olly and her longing for freedom, Maddy decides to take a risk and leave her home for the first time. She and Olly travel to Hawaii, where Maddy experiences the ocean, the sky, and the sensation of truly living for the first time. However, her adventure is cut short when she falls ill and is rushed to the hospital.
After returning home, Maddy learns a shocking truth: she does not have SCID. Her mother, traumatized by the loss of Maddy’s father and brother in a car accident, has been overprotective to the point of fabricating Maddy’s illness to keep her safe. Devastated by this revelation, Maddy decides to take control of her own life. She leaves her home and reconnects with Olly, determined to live fully and embrace the risks that come with it.
Key Themes & Motifs
The Desire for Freedom: The central theme of "Everything, Everything" is the desire for freedom and the right to live one’s life to the fullest. Maddy’s isolation and the restrictions placed on her life symbolize the broader human yearning for freedom and the risks associated with pursuing it. The novel explores the tension between safety and the need to experience the world, emphasizing that a life without risk is not truly living.
Love and Relationships: The novel explores the theme of love and its transformative power. Maddy’s relationship with Olly is a catalyst for her desire to break free from the confines of her home and experience the world. The novel also examines the complexities of familial love, particularly the relationship between Maddy and her mother, which is shaped by love, fear, and control. The novel suggests that love can both protect and confine, and that true love requires allowing others the freedom to make their own choices.
Illness and Identity: "Everything, Everything" delves into the theme of illness and its impact on identity. Maddy’s life has been defined by her illness, which has shaped her sense of self and her understanding of the world. The novel raises questions about how much of our identity is shaped by external circumstances and how much is determined by our own choices. Maddy’s journey toward discovering the truth about her illness is also a journey toward self-discovery and reclaiming her identity.
Analysis of Main Characters
Maddy Whittier: Maddy is the protagonist of the novel, a smart, curious, and imaginative young woman who has lived her entire life in isolation due to her supposed illness. Maddy’s character embodies the themes of freedom, love, and identity. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to question the limits placed on her life and takes control of her own destiny. Maddy’s desire to experience the world and her willingness to take risks reflect her growth from a sheltered girl to an independent young woman who is determined to live fully.
Olly Bright: Olly is Maddy’s neighbor and love interest, a boy who is dealing with his own challenges, including an abusive father. Olly’s character represents the theme of love and its ability to inspire change. His relationship with Maddy is tender and supportive, providing her with the motivation to break free from her confined life. Olly’s own struggles with his family add depth to his character and highlight the novel’s exploration of the complexities of relationships and the importance of finding support in others.
Pauline Whittier: Maddy’s mother, Pauline, is a doctor who has been overly protective of Maddy since the death of her husband and son. Pauline’s character represents the theme of control and the dangers of excessive protection. While her actions are motivated by love and fear, they ultimately confine Maddy and prevent her from living her life. Pauline’s revelation that she has fabricated Maddy’s illness out of a desire to keep her safe is a pivotal moment in the novel, highlighting the consequences of her need to control her daughter’s life.
Setting & Social Context
The novel is set in contemporary times, primarily within the confines of Maddy’s home, which is a sterile and controlled environment designed to protect her from the outside world. The home’s isolation and the strict routines that govern Maddy’s life reflect the themes of confinement and the desire for freedom. The contrast between the inside world of Maddy’s home and the outside world, which she longs to experience, underscores the central conflict of the novel.
The historical context of the novel reflects modern concerns about health, safety, and the desire to protect loved ones from harm. The novel engages with themes of medicalization and the impact of health conditions on identity and relationships. It also touches on issues of overprotection and the psychological effects of trauma, as seen in Pauline’s response to the loss of her husband and son.
Writing Style & Narrative Techniques
Nicola Yoon’s writing style in "Everything, Everything" is characterized by its accessibility, emotional depth, and creative use of different formats. The novel is written in the first person from Maddy’s perspective, allowing readers to closely follow her thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This narrative technique creates a strong connection between the reader and Maddy, making her journey of self-discovery and her relationship with Olly deeply relatable.
The novel incorporates various formats, including diary entries, illustrations, emails, and charts, which add a unique and engaging dimension to the story. These elements reflect Maddy’s creativity and her way of making sense of the world, while also breaking up the traditional narrative structure to create a dynamic reading experience.
Yoon’s prose is clear and straightforward, with moments of poetic reflection that capture Maddy’s longing and her emotional journey. The dialogue is natural and often poignant, particularly in the interactions between Maddy and Olly. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, with moments of introspection interspersed with action and tension, particularly as Maddy takes risks and begins to challenge the limitations of her life.
Important Quotes & Analysis
"Love is worth everything. Everything.": This quote encapsulates the novel’s exploration of the transformative power of love and the idea that love is worth the risks and challenges that come with it. It reflects Maddy’s realization that life is about more than just surviving—it’s about truly living.
"Everything’s a risk. Not doing anything is a risk. It’s up to you.": This quote reflects the novel’s central theme of choice and the idea that life involves taking risks, whether it’s stepping out into the world or choosing to remain safe. It highlights Maddy’s journey toward embracing the risks that come with living fully.
"Maybe growing up means disappointing the people we love.": This quote reflects Maddy’s internal conflict as she begins to assert her independence and make choices that go against her mother’s wishes. It underscores the theme of identity and the challenges of finding one’s own path in the face of familial expectations.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
"Everything, Everything" is a heartfelt and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of love, freedom, and the desire to live fully in the face of adversity. Nicola Yoon’s creative writing style, relatable characters, and exploration of complex emotions make the novel a compelling read for young adults and anyone who has ever struggled with the desire to break free from limitations.
Through Maddy’s journey of self-discovery and her relationship with Olly, the novel invites readers to consider the risks and rewards of living life to the fullest, even when it means stepping into the unknown. "Everything, Everything" is a celebration of love, choice, and the courage to embrace life’s possibilities.