Love Hates Us All

Chuck, a poet turned writer takes us on a journey through his life. From falling in love to then experiencing heartbreak, taking pleasure in the freedom of being single until loneliness takes over leaving him alone with his deepest thoughts. But most of all we see Chuck's struggle to love himself and his continuous battles with overcoming his self-loathing. In 'Love Hates Us All', we see familiar faces throughout, as well as the one-night stands which often turn into lifelong friends with benefits on occasion. Regardless of the purposes these people hold, each one has its own unique story which leaves an imprint on Chuck's life. Through alcohol, sex, and words we see Chuck at his peak which is showcased by his confidence and smoothness, but we also see the other side of him, Charles, when the lights are turned off and he's alone with no one to impress. This is the Charles that has the war-torn immigrant story, the one that once believed in love. There are two things that are shared between Chuck and Charles, and that is the fact that they can't allow themselves to be happy for too long and both personas share a deep fear. This book displays hedonism at its best, but it also acts as a cover-up for Chuck's innermost fear, which is his mind.