“The Rest of Us Just Live Here” Puts the Background Characters in the Spotlight

“Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can.”

I think the tagline for this book is accurate: “Sometimes you have to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.” This book is about finding the wonderful, little things in the normal people who lead ordinary lives.

It’s basically a comparison of fantasy “problems” and the problems you’ll find in everyday life. In a cliché fantasy book a female narrator will find herself torn between two hot dudes. In real life there are other problems to worry about such as bad parents, bulimic siblings, unrequited love, and feeling like no one wants you.

This is how Mike feels. He thinks of himself as the “leftover” person in his group of friends. Mike has had a long-time crush on Henna, is best friends with Jared, and has two pesky but loving sisters. Mike also has a condition where he can’t stop washing his hands or brushing his teeth in routines. These “loops” have been getting worse lately, what with the zombie deer attacks, his dad’s drinking, and his mom running for election.

In this book the main characters aren’t the ones that get picked to go on quests or save the kingdom. Those kids are referred to as “the indie kids.” Instead, the story follows a more relatable, simpler, but somehow just as complicated cast of friends who stress about concerts, prom, and college rather than defeating the next villain or if they’re going to die tomorrow.

“We can’t all be the Chosen One. In fact, hardly any of us can.”

I don’t think it was as strong as Patrick Ness’s other books, but then, it would be hard to top the amazing Chaos Walking Trilogy or the heartbreaking A Monster Calls. But I thought it was wonderful in its own, quiet way.

I appreciated how it kind of poked fun at popular tropes in books and movies. At the beginning of each chapter there were short sections about the indie kids that I found highly amusing.

This story focused on the background characters who weren’t in the spotlight or constantly amid nonstop action, but the kids who had to sort through their own personal troubles. I thought it was quite poignant, uniquely touching, and heartfelt.