borrow call it what you want: a novel alissa derogatis

and yet, isn’t every story just a borrowed fragment of something larger?
In the realm of contemporary literature, Alissa Derogatis’ Borrow Call It What You Want emerges as a provocative exploration of identity, memory, and the fluidity of truth. The novel, with its fragmented narrative and deeply introspective prose, challenges readers to question the boundaries between reality and fiction, ownership and theft, and the self and the other. Derogatis crafts a story that is as much about the act of storytelling as it is about the stories themselves, weaving a tapestry of borrowed moments, stolen emotions, and reimagined truths.
At its core, Borrow Call It What You Want is a meditation on the nature of creativity. Derogatis posits that all art is, in some way, a form of borrowing. Whether it’s the retelling of a myth, the reinterpretation of a historical event, or the reimagining of a personal memory, every story is built upon the fragments of what came before. The novel’s protagonist, a writer grappling with the ethics of her craft, serves as a conduit for this exploration. As she sifts through her own memories and the lives of those around her, she begins to question whether any story can truly be called original. This theme resonates deeply in an age where the lines between inspiration and appropriation are increasingly blurred.
The structure of the novel mirrors its thematic concerns. Derogatis employs a non-linear narrative, jumping between timelines, perspectives, and even genres. At times, the story reads like a memoir; at others, it veers into the realm of speculative fiction or poetic abstraction. This fragmented approach reflects the protagonist’s own fractured sense of self, as well as the broader idea that identity is not a fixed entity but a constantly evolving construct. The novel’s title itself—Borrow Call It What You Want—hints at this fluidity, suggesting that the act of naming, of defining, is itself a form of borrowing.
One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its treatment of memory. Derogatis delves into the ways in which memories are shaped, reshaped, and sometimes outright fabricated. The protagonist’s recollections are often unreliable, colored by emotion, time, and the influence of others. This unreliability forces readers to confront their own relationship with memory. How much of what we remember is truly ours? How much is borrowed from the stories we’ve been told, the images we’ve seen, the narratives we’ve internalized? Derogatis doesn’t provide easy answers, but she invites us to sit with these questions, to grapple with the discomfort they provoke.
The novel also engages with the concept of ownership—not just of stories, but of emotions, experiences, and even identities. In one particularly poignant passage, the protagonist reflects on a relationship that ended in betrayal. She wonders whether the pain she feels is truly hers or if it’s something she’s borrowed from the cultural narratives of heartbreak and loss. This idea of emotional borrowing is further explored through the novel’s supporting characters, each of whom represents a different facet of the protagonist’s psyche. Through their interactions, Derogatis suggests that our emotions, like our stories, are never entirely our own.
Stylistically, Borrow Call It What You Want is a tour de force. Derogatis’ prose is lyrical and evocative, with a rhythm that ebbs and flows like the tides of memory. Her use of metaphor is particularly striking, with recurring images of water, mirrors, and shadows that underscore the novel’s themes of reflection and refraction. The dialogue, too, is masterfully crafted, with each character’s voice distinct and authentic. Even the novel’s silences speak volumes, as Derogatis expertly uses pauses and omissions to convey what words cannot.
Ultimately, Borrow Call It What You Want is a novel that defies easy categorization. It is at once a deeply personal story and a universal meditation on the human condition. It challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about creativity, identity, and truth, and to embrace the beauty and complexity of borrowed moments. In a world that often demands clarity and certainty, Derogatis offers a refreshing reminder that life, like art, is messy, ambiguous, and endlessly fascinating.
Q&A:
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Q: What is the central theme of Borrow Call It What You Want?
A: The central theme is the nature of creativity and the idea that all art is a form of borrowing, whether from personal memories, cultural narratives, or historical events. -
Q: How does the novel’s structure reflect its themes?
A: The non-linear, fragmented narrative mirrors the protagonist’s fractured sense of self and the broader idea that identity and memory are fluid and ever-changing. -
Q: What role does memory play in the novel?
A: Memory is portrayed as unreliable and malleable, shaped by emotion, time, and external influences. The novel explores how much of what we remember is truly ours and how much is borrowed from other sources. -
Q: How does Derogatis use metaphor in the novel?
A: Derogatis employs recurring images of water, mirrors, and shadows to underscore themes of reflection, refraction, and the fluidity of identity and memory. -
Q: What is the significance of the novel’s title?
A: The title suggests that the act of naming or defining something is itself a form of borrowing, highlighting the fluidity and ambiguity of both art and life.