Me and You and Miranda July

This collection of 16 short stories by Miranda July features characters who are often lonely, vulnerable, and tentative in their interactions. The stories are marked by their originality and a blend of bizarre and familiar elements. July's characters engage in awkward and sometimes inappropriate ways, reflecting their deep-seated longing for connection and belonging. The stories touch on various themes, including the use of sex to simulate closeness, the fragility of human relationships, and the child-like wonder and puzzlement with which adults respond to their surroundings.

The novel follows Jacques Cormery, a character closely based on Camus himself, as he searches for information about his father, Henri, who died in World War I before Jacques was born. The story delves into Jacques' childhood in poverty-stricken Algeria, his relationship with his partially deaf and mute mother, and his experiences in school. It also touches on the broader themes of colonialism, the impact of war, and the complex relationships between French and Arab communities in Algeria. The book is notable for its autobiographical nature and was published posthumously from an unedited manuscript found in the car wreckage where Camus died.