Author and Filmmaker Miranda July's New Novel Explores Inwardness and Transcendence
Renowned author and filmmaker Miranda July delves into themes of dance, desire, mortality, and transcendence in her latest novel, All Fours. Released in 2024, this autobiographical fiction follows a 45-year-old narrator who deeply questions the reality of her existence. Set against the backdrop of a road trip from Los Angeles to New York, the narrator encounters Davey, a garage attendant whose dancing opens a new realm of intimacy.
July explores her protagonist’s estrangement from her husband Harris, juxtaposing it against her deeper connection with art and elaborate fantasies. The novel tackles profound questions of mortality, especially highlighted by the narrator's experience with her prematurely born child and her facing menopause, drawing parallels to the deaths of her grandmother and aunt.
Building on her previous work, July integrates elements from her films and performance art, creating a rich, multidimensional experience. In All Fours, she continues to push the boundaries of autofiction, making the novel a study on the intersection of art and life.
All Fours is published by Canongate and is available for purchase.