ju

a lot of readers have been making that comparison recently, though it’s more about the dynamic and emotional archetypes in my opinion than the characters being especially similar one to one.

like we see how ryan and ronan (both their names start with R too which is funny to me haha.) both are kinda sharp edged and emotionally guarded, they have intense loyalty beneath a prickly exterior. and it’s funny how they both come across as intimidating but are deeply vulnerable around the people they love. and most importantly in my opinion they both carry a lot of anger and grief which surrounds them because of the problems they’ve gone through.

but for adam and naim we see a more restrained and thoughtful persona. a character that is self controlled, observant, and quietly stubborn. adam and naim both try to maintain independence, even when it’s difficult. and of course they have a calmer presence that balances ryan and ronan’s intensity.

and then there’s the relationship dynamic. we see both pairs challenging each other intellectually and emotionally and how most of the romance is built on trust, respect, and gradual vulnerability rather than grand declarations.

pynch has a “we understand each other in ways other people don’t” feeling that ryanaim carries too and it’s so sweet to me that they are the only people in their respective universes that understand each other in this deep level of mutual love.

“I am a dreamer. I have lived more in my dreams than in life.”

- Dostoevsky, White nights