People We Meet on Vacation - The Prologue
Scene Analysis
I’ve always loved love stories. I’ve been obsessed with them since elementary school—since Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol graced the screens of Bollywood with their fictional romances and taught me what it felt like to dream. To imagine. To feel.
It’s that zing of electricity that bubbles up under my skin when I watch or read a story I love. When two perfectly suited or mismatched characters fall in love and it just…works.
People We Meet on Vacation felt like that for me. Poppy and Alex lit up the Netflix screen with that familiar zing of friendship, love, and chemistry that had me itching to watch their story unfold again and again. To pick up the novel and dissect it, scene by scene. To let my curiosity speak for itself.
Which is what brought us here, to this analysis.
Why Analyze People We Meet on Vacation?
There are many reasons I chose to analyze this novel in particular. Here are a few:
Winner for Readers’ Favorite Romance in 2021
Goodreads Choice Award 2021 for Best Romance
Over 2 million copies sold in the U.S.
#1 New York Times Bestseller
Who should analyze this book?
I firmly believe that writers in any genre can benefit from analyzing books.
However, if you’re writing an adult contemporary romance with a friends-to-lovers trope, a past-and-present timeline, or a story that follows characters traveling to different places, this book is well worth checking out.
Book Summary
Poppy is a free spirit with a serious case of wanderlust. Alex is a chronic homebody with sleepy eyes and a serious case of book-nerd-itus.
In other words, Alex and Poppy have nothing in common. This doesn’t stop them from becoming the best of friends, post their fated college car ride home to Linfield, Ohio years ago. And from meeting every summer for a decade of their yearly vacation together.
That was, until Poppy made the mistake of a century two years ago and they stopped talking. Ouch.
Despite having the life that most people can only dream of—flying off to different countries and getting paid to write about her adventures—Poppy isn’t happy. And that has everything to do with Alex.
So what’s a girl to do except go straight to the trip and convince her former best friend to go on one more trip together? Shockingly, Alex says yes.
Now, Poppy has a week to bring back their ruined relationship from wherever it is that friendships go to die.
But is a week enough time to undo two years of silence?
Scene Summary
It’s the last night of Poppy’s vacation and it couldn’t be further than what she’d planned. Instead of lounging on a sandy beach, Poppy is stuck in a rainy dive bar that practically screams FDA hazard. Still, Poppy is intent on enjoying the evening with her best friend, Alex.
Scene Analysis
Setting - a local dive bar called BAR, with sticky floors, in a rainy resort town. It’s their last night in town, and the place feels filthy.
Protagonist - Poppy
Object of Desire (OOD) - Poppy wants Alex to have fun without getting drenched in the rain or stuck in a crowded tourist trap.
Why? - Alex just broke up with Sarah so Poppy wants to make him feel better.
Forces of Antagonism - Alex, the rain, the bar’s grimy environment
Alex’s OOD - To stay comfortable and distracted, reading his book
Environmental antagonist OOD - To obstruct Poppy from achieving her goal of enjoying her last night
Why? - Because the environment and circumstances aren’t adding up to what is typical on a fun vacation.
Crisis
A: Keep coaxing Alex, risking continued resistance.
B: Let him be, even though Poppy wants him happy.
Inciting Incident - Poppy spots Alex at the bar and tries to get him to join in a bit of role-playing.
Progressive complications - Alex refuses to play along, and even when Poppy admits she wants to help him get over Sarah, he resists.
Turning Point - Alex has been resistant to Poppy’s attempts at coaching him up until the point where the conversation swivels back to their friendship: “You love me,” I point out, the tiniest bit defensive. …”I know that,” he says.”
Climax - I grin up at him. “I love you back.” Poppy has made the decision to change the conversation from Alex’s dating life to their friendship and acts on this.
Resolution - Alex confirms that this is their best trip yet. They go back to their rental, chat about the trip and take a picture to commemorate their vacation.
Do you agree with my take on the prologue? I’d love to hear your interpretation—share your thoughts in the comments!