We Won't Be Here Tomorrow
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We Won't Be Here Tomorrow
Margaret Killjoy’s "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow" is less a narrative and more a series of spectral transmissions from the edge of societal collapse. The prose possesses a raw, almost tactile quality, particularly in passages describing the desperate ingenuity of characters surviving on the fringes. A notable strength is Killjoy’s ability to imbue everyday objects and environments with a potent, unsettling magic, transforming mundane survival into an act of resistance. However, the collection's deliberate fragmentation, while thematically resonant, occasionally hinders deeper engagement, leaving certain narrative threads feeling underdeveloped. The recurring motif of the 'thin place' offers a compelling lens through which to view the characters’ precarious existence, suggesting that moments of profound connection or terror emerge when the familiar world wears thin. Ultimately, this is a challenging but rewarding work for those who seek literature that acknowledges the fragility of our present and hints at potent, if uncertain, futures.
📝 Description
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Margaret Killjoy published "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow" in 2022, a collection of interconnected stories.
This 2022 collection by Margaret Killjoy weaves together speculative fiction, personal essays, and occult investigations. The narratives present a world facing ecological collapse and social unrest, where the supernatural remains present. Killjoy's writing style is direct yet evocative, drawing readers into personal reflections on survival, community, and finding meaning in uncertain times. The stories explore themes of precarity and the struggle for connection.
The book appeals to readers who enjoy genre-bending literature that addresses current anxieties through speculative and esoteric lenses. It touches on radical politics, queer futurism, and sustainable living, especially where these intersect with magical thinking and alternative spiritualities. Those who prefer straightforward plot resolutions might find its abstract and introspective nature challenging. However, readers who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and philosophical contemplation will find ample material for thought.
Killjoy's work engages with contemporary eco-fiction and solarpunk aesthetics but distinguishes itself by centering a distinctly magical and occult sensibility. This approach connects it to earlier speculative writers who examined the uncanny and spiritual elements during societal shifts, like Ursula K. Le Guin. It also aligns with a modern resurgence of interest in folk magic and animism found within counter-cultural movements.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain insight into the concept of 'thin places' as described by Killjoy, understanding how liminal environments can become sites for both profound connection and unsettling encounters, a perspective not commonly found in mainstream speculative fiction. • Experience Killjoy’s unique approach to survival narratives, focusing on resourceful 'making do' and communal effort rather than traditional conflict resolution, offering a distinct model for navigating precarity. • Explore the intersection of ecological anxiety and occult thought through Killjoy's evocative prose, learning how magical thinking can serve as a framework for understanding and responding to societal breakdown, a theme rarely addressed with such directness.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary thematic focus of Margaret Killjoy's "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow"?
The primary focus is on survival, community, and the search for meaning amidst ecological and social collapse. Killjoy explores themes of liminality, haunting, and resourceful living through a speculative and esoteric lens.
When was "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow" by Margaret Killjoy originally published?
The book was first published in 2022. This recent publication places it within contemporary discussions of eco-fiction and speculative futures.
What kind of writing style does Margaret Killjoy employ in "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow"?
Killjoy uses a direct yet evocative prose style. It's often described as fragmented, atmospheric, and intimate, blending elements of personal essay with speculative narrative.
Are there specific characters or concepts that are central to understanding the book?
Key concepts include 'thin places,' liminality, and 'making do.' The book features various characters living on the fringes, whose struggles and discoveries illuminate these central ideas.
Does "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow" offer solutions to societal problems?
The book doesn't offer simple solutions but rather explores ways of existing and finding meaning within difficult circumstances. It emphasizes resourcefulness, community, and a connection to the uncanny.
What makes this book different from typical post-apocalyptic fiction?
It distinguishes itself by foregrounding esoteric and magical thinking alongside ecological and social concerns, moving beyond standard survival tropes to explore deeper spiritual and psychological dimensions of collapse.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Liminality and Thin Places
The collection consistently explores states of 'liminality,' where characters and environments exist in transition, on the cusp of change or dissolution. Killjoy uses the concept of 'thin places' – locations where the veil between worlds is perceived to be permeable – to describe settings where the ordinary rules of reality seem to warp. These spaces are not just geographical but also psychological, reflecting the characters' internal states of uncertainty and transformation. This theme is crucial for understanding the book's atmosphere of subtle dread and potential magic, suggesting that crisis points are also moments of heightened perception and possibility.
Resourceful Survival and 'Making Do'
A central theme is the practice of 'making do,' a philosophy of survival that emphasizes ingenuity, resourcefulness, and non-monetary exchange over traditional economic models. Characters often rely on scavenging, bartering, and communal effort to sustain themselves in environments marked by scarcity and systemic failure. This focus on practical, often low-tech, solutions highlights a critique of consumerism and dependence on fragile infrastructure. Killjoy presents this not as mere hardship, but as a form of resistance and a pathway to building resilient, self-sufficient communities, often imbued with a subtle, almost magical, quality.
Haunting and Historical Residue
The concept of 'haunting' in "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow" extends beyond the spectral to encompass the psychic and historical residue of trauma, injustice, and ecological damage. Places and objects carry the weight of past events, influencing the present in unseen ways. Killjoy suggests that these 'hauntings' are not merely supernatural occurrences but manifestations of unresolved societal and personal histories. Understanding these spectral echoes is presented as essential for working through the present reality and for any hope of forging a different future, connecting the personal to the collective and the historical.
Queer Futurism and Alternative Kinships
While not always explicit, the collection engages with themes of queer futurism through its exploration of non-traditional family structures, chosen kinships, and radical community building. Characters often form bonds that defy conventional norms, creating networks of support and mutual aid in the absence of established societal structures. Killjoy’s vision implicitly challenges heteronormative and patriarchal frameworks, proposing alternative ways of relating and organizing that are more fluid, adaptable, and inclusive. This focus on building new forms of belonging is integral to the book’s exploration of survival and hope.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The world is ending, but we are still here, figuring it out.”
— This captures the book's core sentiment: a recognition of profound societal and ecological crisis, coupled with a persistent, pragmatic focus on immediate survival and adaptation. It highlights resilience over despair.
“Sometimes the veil is just thin enough to see through.”
— This refers to the concept of 'thin places,' suggesting moments or locations where the boundaries of ordinary reality become permeable, allowing for glimpses of the uncanny, the magical, or the deeply intuitive.
“We learned to make do with what we had, and then with less.”
— This captures the theme of resourceful survival, emphasizing adaptation and necessity in the face of scarcity. It points to a deliberate shift away from abundance and towards a more pared-down existence.
“The ghosts are not just in the houses, but in the ground.”
— This expands the notion of 'haunting' beyond a purely spectral phenomenon to include the lingering impact of historical trauma, environmental damage, and collective memory embedded within the land itself.
“Finding family in the wreckage.”
— This speaks to the formation of chosen kinships and resilient communities. It highlights how human connection and mutual support can emerge and flourish even in the most devastated circumstances.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not strictly adhering to a single lineage, Killjoy's work draws heavily from contemporary animistic and folk magic traditions, often intersecting with anarchist and queer theory. It departs from more formalized Western Esoteric traditions like Hermeticism or Kabbalah by focusing on immanent, earth-based magic and the spiritual significance of everyday survival. The emphasis is less on codified ritual and more on attuning to the inherent magical qualities of the natural world and the resilience of marginalized communities, reflecting a modern, decentralized approach to esoteric practice.
Symbolism
Key symbols include 'thin places,' representing liminal thresholds where the mundane meets the numinous, facilitating encounters with the uncanny or the divine. 'Wreckage' itself becomes symbolic, signifying not just destruction but also the raw material for rebuilding and reimagining existence outside of established systems. Water frequently appears as a symbol of both cleansing and overwhelming force, representing the dual nature of transformation and the potential for both renewal and dissolution in times of crisis.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary thinkers and practitioners in fields like queer ecology, radical sustainability, and DIY occultism find resonance in Killjoy's work. It provides a narrative language for exploring the psychological and spiritual dimensions of ecological anxiety and societal breakdown. The emphasis on 'making do' and forming alternative kinships aligns with modern anarchist and mutual aid networks, while the integration of magic offers a framework for spiritual seeking outside traditional religious structures, influencing discussions on post-capitalist futures and spiritual resilience.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Readers interested in eco-fiction and speculative futures who seek a more magical and introspective approach than typical genre fare. • Individuals exploring themes of queer futurism, radical community building, and alternative forms of kinship and survival. • Those drawn to contemporary animistic practices and folk magic, looking for literary explorations of immanent spirituality and earth-based wisdom.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 2022, "We Won't Be Here Tomorrow" arrived during a period of heightened global anxiety concerning climate change, political instability, and the pervasive influence of digital culture. Killjoy’s work engages with the burgeoning literary and cultural interest in eco-fiction, solarpunk, and queer futurism, offering a distinctive, more explicitly esoteric perspective. While contemporaries like Jeff VanderMeer were exploring ecological dread in more conventionally science-fictional terms, Killjoy foregrounds magical thinking and animistic perspectives as vital tools for navigating societal collapse. The book can be seen as part of a broader counter-cultural resurgence in folk magic and DIY spirituality, offering a narrative framework for individuals seeking meaning outside mainstream institutions. Its reception, while not marked by major prizes or widespread academic citation at its release, has found traction within online communities focused on radical sustainability and occult practices.
📔 Journal Prompts
Reflections on the nature of 'thin places' in your own environment.
The practice of 'making do': what resources are currently underutilized in your community?
Identifying the 'hauntings' – historical or personal – that shape your present reality.
Exploring alternative kinship structures and forms of mutual aid.
How does the concept of 'wreckage' as potential inform your perspective on current challenges?
🗂️ Glossary
Thin Places
Locations or states of being where the boundaries between the mundane world and other realms (spiritual, magical, uncanny) are perceived as permeable, allowing for unusual experiences or insights.
Making Do
A philosophy and practice of survival emphasizing resourcefulness, improvisation, and non-monetary exchange, particularly in contexts of scarcity or systemic failure.
Liminality
A state of being in-between, on the threshold of change. It describes transitional periods, spaces, or psychological states where old certainties dissolve and new possibilities emerge.
Haunting
The persistent influence of past events, traumas, or unresolved issues on the present, perceived as spectral presences, psychological burdens, or embedded historical residues.
Wreckage
Refers to the aftermath of destruction, collapse, or failure, but also signifies the raw material or starting point for new creation, adaptation, and resilience.
Kinship
In this context, refers to chosen bonds and chosen families formed through mutual support and shared experience, often outside of traditional biological or legal definitions.
Queer Futurism
A speculative outlook that envisions futures shaped by queer experiences, challenging heteronormative structures and imagining diverse forms of identity, community, and social organization.
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