Talking at Night: A Novel

Content Warning: The source material and this guide reference body image struggles, suicide, and alcoholism.

Daverley structures her novel around an in-depth examination of the intricacies and challenges inherent in human relationships, especially parental, sibling, and romantic connections. It underscores the significance of the positive experiences, supportive communication, and mutual understanding that come with fostering meaningful interpersonal bonds. Through her characters relationships with each other, Daverley emphasizes the importance of empathy, effective communication, and resilience in navigating the complexities of human relationships. The transformative journey of Rosie and Will's relationship sees them learning to navigate their issues with openness and understanding, embracing the truth that the tragedies and missteps they experience don’t have to reduce their ability to have a meaningful life.

The novel’s representation of parent-child relationships illuminates the emotionally charged nature of these ties. The enduring emotional impact of Will’s mother's abandonment on his life, juxtaposed with his close relationship with his supportive and caring Gran, illustrates the complexities inherent in familial bonds. Similarly, Rosie's strained relationship with her mother and their clash of expectations depict the generational and ideological disparities that strain familial connections. Rosie struggles to establish her identity while contending with her mother's high and sometimes harmful expectations, which elucidate the tension between personal aspirations and familial obligations.