It's not the cheating. It's the hunger for an alternative. The refusal to accept unhappiness

It's not the cheating. It's the hunger for an alternative. The refusal to accept unhappiness

Tom Perrotta is a master at exploring the complexities of human relationships and the inner workings of the human psyche. In his novels, he delves deep into the desires, fears, and motivations that drive people to make the choices they do. One of the recurring themes in Perrotta's work is the idea that it's not the act of cheating itself that is the most significant, but rather the underlying hunger for something different, something more fulfilling, that drives people to seek out alternatives to their current situation.

In Perrotta's novel "Little Children," for example, the characters Sarah and Todd both find themselves feeling trapped and unfulfilled in their respective marriages. They are drawn to each other not just out of physical attraction, but out of a shared desire for something more meaningful and satisfying in their lives. Their affair is not just about seeking out a forbidden thrill, but about seeking out a connection that they feel is missing in their own marriages.

Similarly, in "The Leftovers," Perrotta explores the aftermath of a mysterious event in which a significant portion of the world's population suddenly disappears. The characters in the novel are left grappling with feelings of loss, confusion, and despair, and many of them turn to extreme measures in an attempt to find some sense of meaning or purpose in the wake of the tragedy. The hunger for an alternative to their current reality drives them to seek out new belief systems, new relationships, and new ways of coping with their grief.