Summary
All Fours by Miranda July examines a middle-aged woman's journey of rediscovery. This literary fiction novel explores introspection, midlife crises, and human longing. The story centers on a road trip that stalls near Los Angeles. The narrative follows a protagonist seeking self-discovery within marriage and motherhood's constraints. Miranda July presents a depiction of personal transformation. Her storytelling combines emotional depth with whimsy, making All Fours engaging and thought-provoking.
Plot
Miranda July's All Fours follows a 45-year-old artist who navigates a stagnant life with her husband, Harris, and their non-binary child, Sam. She seeks change with a $20,000 licensing fee from her past work.
She plans a trip to New York but ends up at the Excelsior Motel in Monrovia after meeting a young man named Davey. Choosing to stay, she uses the entire fee to have Davey's wife, Claire, transform her motel room into a Parisian retreat. This act indicates her desire to reconstruct her life.
As her relationship with Davey deepens, it remains unfulfilled due to his commitment to Claire. Her time at the motel involves introspection and comedic moments as she confronts her desires and identity within societal norms.
The artist eventually discusses her feelings with Harris, and they agree to consider an open marriage. Her journey reflects her pursuit of independence and self-expression, exploring new relationships while examining desire, identity, and artistic growth.
Characters
Unnamed Narrator: A 45-year-old artist and writer from Los Angeles explores a challenging domestic life while seeking creative renewal. An unexpected stop in Monrovia initiates a key transition in the narrator's search for fulfillment.
Harris: The narrator's pragmatic husband exhibits emotional distance. His proposal for an open marriage serves as a response to shifts in their relationship following the narrator's infidelity.
Sam: The narrator's non-binary child represents the tension between family responsibilities and personal ambitions. This signifies the pressure to maintain traditional roles.
Davey Boutrous: An aspiring dancer who interests the protagonist. His commitment to his wife, Claire, highlights the unattainability of certain desires.
Claire Boutrous: An interior designer and Davey’s wife, Claire is part of the protagonist's introspection. Her work on a motel room mirrors the narrator's quest for transformation in her life and emotional state.
Audra: A figure from Davey's past who plays a role in revealing layers of his character. This prompts the narrator to confront her own hidden desires.
Kris: The narrator's romantic interest after starting an open marriage. Kris represents the fleeting nature of newfound freedom and temporary satisfaction.
Themes
Explorations of midlife crisis
In All Fours by Miranda July, the midlife crisis appears through the experiences of a 45-year-old artist navigating self-doubt and a quest for purpose. She examines identity and the nature of middle age. July presents this stage not as the end of ambition but as a period of potential and self-reflection.
The protagonist's unplanned stop at a motel in Monrovia becomes a metaphor for change. She forms connections with others, including a young man at the motel, prompting reflections on her life and marriage. These interactions represent the fluidity of identity and view midlife as a chance for reinvention. Through this, July portrays midlife as a phase of self-discovery and transformation.
Desire and identity
Miranda July's All Fours examines themes of desire and identity through its protagonist's journey. The story follows a 45-year-old semi-famous artist who embarks on a road trip. This journey leads to an exploration of her sexual identity and creative voice. Her relationship with Davey, a young gas station attendant, presents an unconsummated intimacy. This connection drives her toward self-realization.
The protagonist's focus on Davey prompts her to discover various aspects of herself. This symbolizes her complex desires and truths. Her isolation in a hotel room becomes both a physical and metaphorical space for self-discovery. Fantasy and reality intersect here, transforming her vulnerabilities into strengths.
The narrative addresses her struggle with physical and emotional identity. It challenges traditional norms and embraces a non-conformist view of self and relationships. Her experiences beyond marriage seek not only sexual discovery but also artistic transformation. Through this, the protagonist reconciles her identities, defying conventional labels and embracing authenticity.
Quick facts
The novel All Fours is Miranda July's first book in nearly a decade and is considered close to autofiction.
The narrator questions reality reflecting on her semi-estranged husband and non-binary child.
Central themes include menopause, midlife evaluations, and polyamory.
Dance and sex are depicted as pathways toward personal freedom and transformation.
Miranda July incorporates real-life elements into the fictional narrative, notably influenced by her separation from Mike Mills.
The protagonist, a 45-year-old artist, embarks on a transformative but unexpectedly short road trip, culminating in an extended motel stay.
The book humorously features a notable 'tampon scene' exploring deeper themes about femininity and performative womanhood.
A whiskey company's offer of $20,000 to license a sentence written by the protagonist significantly propels life changes.
The novel blends absurd humor with deep emotional depth, characteristic of July's unique style.
The book has been praised by notable authors such as George Saunders and Emma Cline and esteemed media like Vogue and The New York Times.
The protagonist remains unnamed throughout, emphasizing themes of identity and alienation.
All Fours addresses complex issues such as romantic satisfaction, sexual identity, aging, and societal expectations.
Autobiographical influences
Miranda July’s All Fours incorporates elements from the author's life but does not limit itself to autobiography. July blends reality and fiction, crafting a protagonist whose experiences echo her own. The character, a semi-famous artist navigating menopause and marital challenges, shares similarities with July's artistic journey, Los Angeles settings, and family dynamics.
Despite these autobiographical elements, July emphasizes that the book centers on creativity rather than life replication. The novel serves as an emotional exploration, giving fictional characters depth. July’s choice to sometimes distance herself from family aligns with the protagonist’s quest for rediscovery. All Fours reflects July's personal introspection and broadens the discussion on identity, relationships, and aging.
About the author
Miranda July is an artist known for writing, filmmaking, and performance art. Born in 1974 in Berkeley, California, she was raised in a literary environment. Her parents ran an independent publishing company. July began her artistic career with performance art and short films, supporting herself through various jobs. Her debut feature film, Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), won the Camera d'Or at Cannes and expanded her creative opportunities. Her first book, No One Belongs Here More Than You, was a bestseller, establishing her as a storyteller.
July often explores themes of human connection, fantasy, and self-discovery. Her book All Fours continues this exploration. She combines introspective themes with ambitious narratives. Her work consistently challenges boundaries and addresses complex subjects.
