One-line Summary:

In “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves,” Rosemary Cooke reflects on her unconventional upbringing, as she was raised alongside a chimpanzee named Fern, and explores themes of family, identity, and the blurred lines between humans and animals.

The Unconventional Upbringing:

Rosemary Cooke, the narrator of “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves,” begins her story by revealing that she grew up with a chimpanzee named Fern as her sister. Her father, a psychologist, conducted an experiment that aimed to raise Fern and Rosemary as siblings, blurring the lines between human and animal. The experiment, however, abruptly ends when Rosemary is five years old, and Fern is taken away. This event deeply affects Rosemary and shapes her understanding of family and identity.

The Impact of Loss:

The sudden separation from Fern has a profound impact on Rosemary’s life. She becomes withdrawn, struggling to connect with others and plagued by a sense of loss and guilt. As she grows older, Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated, carrying the weight of her unconventional upbringing and the absence of Fern. The novel explores the lasting effects of loss and the complexities of human-animal relationships.

Reconstructing Identity:

As Rosemary navigates her college years, she grapples with her identity and the truth about her past. She begins to question her own memories and the stories she has been told, realizing that her family has kept secrets from her. Rosemary’s journey involves piecing together her fragmented memories and discovering the truth about what happened to Fern. Through this process, she confronts her own sense of self and learns to reconcile her human and animal experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Family bonds can be formed in unconventional ways, challenging traditional notions of kinship.
• Loss and separation can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s emotional well-being.
• Identity is a complex and fluid concept that can be shaped by both personal experiences and societal expectations.
• The boundaries between humans and animals are not as clear-cut as we may think, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living beings.

A Memorable Quote:

“I was raised with a chimp. I tell you Fern was a chimp and already you aren’t thinking of her as my sister. But until Fern’s expulsion, I’d scarcely known a moment alone. She was my twin, my funhouse mirror, my whirlwind other half, and I loved her as a sister.”

In “We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves,” author Karen Joy Fowler delves into the complexities of family, loss, and identity through the lens of an unconventional upbringing. The novel challenges readers to question the boundaries between humans and animals, and to consider the lasting impact of our relationships with other species. Through Rosemary’s journey of self-discovery, we are reminded of the power of love, loss, and the enduring connections that shape our lives.