45 pages • 1 hour read
Patrick NessThe Rest of Us Just Live Here
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness follows Mikey, a high school senior in Washington, as he navigates anxieties about love, friendship, and the future, while supernatural events unfold around him involving "indie kids" who battle these occurrences. Mikey deals with his OCD, family issues, and complex relationships as he approaches graduation. The book includes mentions of suicidal ideation, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol addiction, disordered eating, and anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Patrick Ness’ The Rest of Us Just Live Here is praised for its unique premise and character-driven narrative, effectively depicting the lives of ordinary teens in an extraordinary world. The blend of mundane and fantastical elements is intriguing, but some readers find the pacing slow and the plot occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and fresh take on the YA genre.
Who Should Read The Rest of Us Just Live Here?
A reader who enjoys The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness likely appreciates unique twists on young adult genres, prefers character-driven narratives, and enjoys subtle satire. Comparable to the audience of John Green's Looking for Alaska and Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park, they value introspective and emotionally rich stories.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
HL700L