“I Want You More” by Swan Huntley is a novel that follows ghostwriter Zara Pines as she accepts a gig to write for celebrity chef Jane Bailey. Jane invites Zara to live in her East Hampton estate for the summer, and as they get to know each other, Zara falls for Jane romantically. However, Jane’s curated media personality begins to unravel, leading to unexpected twists and changes. The book explores themes of love, identity, and hidden truths1.
Central Conflict
Certainly! In “I Want You More” by Swan Huntley, the central conflicts revolve around:
Character vs. Character: Ghostwriter Zara Pines clashes with celebrity chef Jane Bailey. Their relationship evolves from professional collaboration to a romantic entanglement, revealing hidden aspects of Jane’s personality1 .
Identity and Hidden Truths: As Zara delves into Jane’s life, she uncovers secrets and contradictions that challenge her perception of Jane’s curated media persona. The tension between authenticity and facade drives the narrative forward1 .
Main Characters
“I Want You More” by Swan Huntley, the main characters are:
Zara Pines: A ghostwriter who accepts a gig to write for celebrity chef Jane Bailey. She becomes romantically involved with Jane and starts to see the side of her that’s hidden from the cameras. Zara spends time in Jane’s estate, shadowing her life and even wearing her clothes12.
Jane Bailey: The celebrity chef who invites Zara to live in her East Hampton estate for the summer. As she gets closer to Zara, she sheds her curated media personality and reveals unexpected aspects of herself13.
Plot
“I Want You More” by Swan Huntley, Zara Pines, a ghostwriter reeling from her domineering father’s death, accepts a gig to write for celebrity chef Jane Bailey. Jane, star of the thrifty and wildly popular cooking show “30 Bucks Top,” invites Zara to live in her East Hampton estate for the summer. Jane insists they can truly get to know each other this way. As Zara falls for Jane romantically, Jane sheds her curated media personality. Zara spends all her time in Jane’s estate, even wearing her clothes. As they become more linked, Zara undergoes unexpected changes
Setting
Let’s explore the settings of the book “I Want You More” by Swan Huntley:
Location Settings: The story primarily unfolds in the East Hampton estate where celebrity chef Jane Bailey lives. This setting provides a luxurious backdrop for the characters’ interactions and secrets.
Media and Celebrity World: The book delves into the behind-the-scenes world of celebrity chefs, cooking shows, and media personas. Jane Bailey’s curated image contrasts with her hidden truths.
Emotional Settings: The emotional landscape is richly portrayed, especially as ghostwriter Zara Pines grapples with her feelings for Jane and the impact of her father’s death..
Themes
Let’s explore the themes in “I Want You More” by Swan Huntley:
Love and Identity: The novel delves into the complexities of love and how it shapes our identities. Ghostwriter Zara Pines falls for celebrity chef Jane Bailey, leading to personal transformations and revelations1.
Hidden Truths and Facades: The theme of hidden truths runs throughout the book. As Zara spends time in Jane’s East Hampton estate, she uncovers layers of Jane’s curated media persona, revealing the contrast between public image and private reality1.
Author Narrative style and point of view
Narrative Style:
The author’s narrative style refers to their unique way of presenting information or telling a story. It encompasses elements like tone, language, pacing, and overall writing style.
An author’s narrative style can significantly impact the reader’s experience. For instance, a poetic, descriptive style creates a different atmosphere than a concise, matter-of-fact one.
Consider how an author’s style shapes the emotional impact of a scene or the overall tone of a novel. Whether it’s lyrical, humorous, or starkly realistic, the narrative style influences how readers engage with the text.
Point of View (POV):
Point of view refers to the perspective from which a narrator recounts a story or presents information.
There are three primary points of view:
First Person: The narrator tells the story from their own perspective (using pronouns like “I” or “We”). This offers direct access to a character’s thoughts, emotions, and worldview.. For example, Herman Melville’s famous line in “Moby-Dick” begins with “Call me Ishmael,” establishing an intimate, confessional tone1.