Standard Behaviour

Abstract

Twenty-seven-year-old Lennie Grey is in a long distant polyamorous relationship with Marley, who she has known since she was a teenager. Having left New York, after a summer of partying together, which has left her somewhat emotionally and financially broken, she arrives in Edinburgh and housesits for a mysterious friend of her stepfather’s. Here she attempts to date and piece together a life for herself, while trying to contain her jealousy as Marley continues to live with his other partner in Manhattan.

Interwoven through the story of Lennie’s adult life is the tale of her isolated childhood in Cornwall, with her penchant for collecting things and keeping herself to herself. As Lennie becomes a teenager and moves to London, she makes two close friends who will shape the course of her adult life.

While she waits in Scotland, wondering if there is any way her and Marley can make a life together the unexpected happens, Lennie falls in love with someone else. When Marley arrives in Edinburgh, everyone conceals their emotions and practices the art of functional polyamory.

Standard Behaviour is a coming of age, literary fiction novel for fans of Naoise Dolan’s Exciting Times, Sally Rooney’s Normal People and Raven Leilani’s Luster.

Date of Award	29 Jun 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews
Supervisor	Don Paterson (Supervisor) & Tom E Jones (Supervisor)