The Unhoneymooners

The novel’s protagonist, Olive has a biology PhD and works in the pharmaceutical industry. She is Mexican American, an identical twin to Ami, and close to her extended family. Olive defines herself in terms of her “bad luck” which began as a child when she attracted local media attention for getting stuck in a children’s game filled with stuffed animals. Ever since, despite her professional accomplishments, Olive focuses on her tendency to be involved in mishaps and misadventures. She contrasts her circumstances to her sister’s, reflecting that “Ami is an optimist who tends to look for the silver lining, I tend to assume the sky is falling” (3). Olive does pride herself on her wit, self-respect, and feminism, as she tells Ethan, “‘I can appreciate my body in a bikini and still want to set fire to the patriarchy’” (135). Ethan and Olive frequently engage in battles of wits and competitions and are honest with one another about their pasts and hopes for their careers. The dynamics of their relationship reveal Olive’s compassionate side, her desire for romance, and her ability to be playful.

Olive is stubborn, forthright, and loyal—she seriously hesitates when Ami offers her honeymoon, wanting to stay behind and care for her sister.