On this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome Cecilia Rabess to discuss her stunning debut, Everything’s Fine, a story that asks big questions about America and what it means to live and love in polarized times. 

Cecilia shares the origin story of this novel and the creation of her protagonist, Jess, a young black recent college grad working as an analyst at Goldman Sachs; how she crafted the complicated, chemistry infused love story between Jess and Josh, her ideological antithesis; whether everything really is fine and the meta, layered meaning of the title; the strawberry on the “arresting” cover and the larger metaphor it represents throughout the book; whether or not people can really change; and a new take on astrology for us. 

This book explores so many questions — What does it mean to be a black woman struggling with internalized racism? What happens when one person says politics and the other says my humanity? It will make you think but also make you want to keep turning the pages at a relentless pace! 

Everything’s Fine is out now and it’s a must read. Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts!