Tony Tulathimutte’s ”Rejection” explores the complex and often unsettling intersection of the internet and human experience. The novel, lauded as a potential ”incel novel” — though requiring a broader understanding of the term beyond men radicalized by sexual rejection — delves into the pervasive feeling of rejection in the digital age. Characters grapple with the constant barrage of online interactions, from being left on read to being ratioed, highlighting how these seemingly insignificant digital slights can accumulate into profound emotional distress. ”Rejection” paints a picture of a hyper-connected yet profoundly isolating world, where individuals replace genuine self-perception with online discourse analysis and become entangled in a web of conflicting social expectations, ultimately leading to breakdowns, whether in group chats, online forums, or even meticulously crafted OnlyFans briefs.
Tulathimutte masterfully weaves together a collection of interconnected stories featuring an array of deeply flawed and often unlikeable characters. While not solely blaming the internet for their woes, the novel illustrates how the pervasive loneliness of modern life is intertwined with social media. It exposes a toxic blend of self-loathing and narcissism that hinders genuine human connection. The book’s success may also be attributed to a cultural backlash against the often humorless identity politics of the 2010s, offering readers a darkly comedic lens through which to examine these contemporary social anxieties.
One of the most compelling stories, ”The Feminist,” follows a young man’s gradual and humiliating realization that his theoretically sound understanding of feminism clashes with the realities of women’s lived experiences. Despite his meticulous emotional labor and constant self-critique of his male privilege, he remains perpetually rejected. Rather than confronting his own shortcomings, he attributes his failures to societal oppression against men with narrow shoulders, a satirical take on the tendency to externalize blame in the face of personal inadequacy. Another story features a young man’s anticlimactic coming out experience, where his revelation of his homosexuality is met with indifference, even from his mother. He clings to the closet erotically, terrified of exposing his fantasies, a poignant depiction of the internalized homophobia that can persist even in seemingly accepting environments.
Comparatively, ”Rejection” shares thematic similarities with other contemporary works. The novel’s unflinching examination of online identity and the perils of exposure resonates with Rebecca F. Kuang’s ”Yellowface,” where a fraudulent author lives in constant fear of being unmasked online. The sharp, incisive prose and focus on flawed characters also draw parallels with Lena Andersson’s works, albeit with a distinct focus on internet culture, kink, and Thai-American identity. Tulathimutte’s exploration of the human condition in the digital age offers a unique perspective that combines social commentary with dark humor.
The audiobook version of ”Rejection” adds another layer of depth to the narrative. The use of different narrators for various characters amplifies the sense of claustrophobia and isolation, mimicking the experience of scrolling through a chaotic stream of online voices. Listening to these characters feels akin to receiving a barrage of desperate voice messages, underscoring the vulnerability and desperation often concealed beneath the surface of online interactions. This format reinforces the novel’s exploration of how the internet, despite its potential for connection, can also exacerbate feelings of alienation and disconnect.
”Rejection” prompts reflection on the evolving relationship between literature and the internet. In a world where traditional reading habits are shifting, people still consume vast quantities of text online, albeit in fragmented forms. The novel highlights the narrative potential within these digital spaces, suggesting that stories unfold not only in books but also in chat windows, forum threads, and comment sections. Tulathimutte’s work demonstrates the power of literature to capture and interpret the complexities of online life, transforming the often chaotic and inane content of social media into compelling and insightful narratives. The novel serves as a potent reminder that even amidst the digital noise, stories abound, waiting to be discovered and understood.
