Title: Embracing Adulthood: Lessons Learned by a Closeted College Freshman As an 18-year-old college freshman, I thought I had everything figured out. I had left my hometown behind and was eager to embrace the freedoms and experiences that came with adulthood. However, it wasn't until I picked up Bronwyn Fischer's debut novel, "The Adult," that I realized just how naive I was. In the novel, the protagonist navigates her way through a love affair and a newfound love for poetry while trying to come to terms with what it means to be an adult. The novel struck a chord with me as I too was grappling with my own understanding of adulthood. One of the key lessons I took away from the book was the importance of self-discovery. The protagonist in "The Adult" was unapologetic about exploring her passions and desires, and it was through this exploration that she was able to come to terms with her own identity. Similarly, I came to understand that being an adult was not just about conforming to societal expectations, but also about embracing one's own individuality. Another lesson that resonated with me was the idea of taking responsibility for one's actions. In the novel, the protagonist learns that every decision has consequences, and it's up to her to take ownership of the choices she makes. This was an important reminder for me as I navigated my own path towards adulthood. It's easy to blame others for our mistakes, but true maturity involves acknowledging our own role in our successes and failures. Overall, "The Adult" was a thought-provoking and insightful read that helped me gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an adult. As a closeted college freshman, I felt like I had the world at my fingertips, but "The Adult" helped me realize that there is still so much to learn and discover. I'm excited for what the future holds and I'm grateful to have stumbled upon this novel at exactly the right time in my journey towards adulthood. Bronwyn Fischer's debut novel, "The Adult," follows an 18-year-old woman's journey as she leaves her rural home and falls in love with both poetry and a woman in a big-city campus setting. ![]()