this is my worst nightmare: please be nice to me, by Sofia Pires Baquedano, is a raw, contemplative journey through love, trauma, and the unspoken complexities of close friendships. The novel follows Sunny, a high school teacher in her late twenties, grappling with the gravity of her best friend Charlie’s hospitalization. For years, Charlie has been the foundation of Sunny’s emotional support, a bond so deep it transcends simple friendship. But as she confronts the possibility of losing him, Sunny begins to recognize the impact of their trauma bond—a connection as complex as it is comforting.

Baquedano crafts a literary experience reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, inviting readers into a loosely structured narrative composed of poignant, interconnected vignettes. Each vignette explores a moment in Sunny and Charlie’s relationship, glimpses into lives that have been as enriched as they have been tested by each other’s presence. The book doesn’t just examine the support they offer one another; it forces Sunny to question if their entwined lives have indeed brought healing or if they’ve unwittingly anchored each other in unresolved pain.

At the heart of the story is Sunny’s inner dialogue as she reflects on her love for Charlie, bittersweet memories, and the absurdity of life’s trials. Her introspective moments are filled with wry humor, often weaving into abstract musings that leap from one thought to the next, capturing the erratic nature of human consciousness. Baquedano’s prose achieves a stream-of-consciousness style that feels true to life—thoughts colliding, jumping unpredictably, creating a realistic portrayal of the way we think in times of crisis.

This novel holds a wealth of genuine emotion, but I feel its non-traditional narrative may feel challenging to readers who prefer a linear storyline. Those willing to immerse themselves, however, will discover passages of breathtaking beauty and insight. It’s a sensitive portrayal of a person in pain, her reflections a testament to resilience, humor, and the unpredictable nature of love in the face of life’s uncertainties. this is my worst nightmare: please be nice to me captures the fleeting, fractured thoughts of someone trying to make sense of heartbreak in a way only Baquedano’s singular style can.

Pages: 308 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D5DL2LVM