Reclaiming authenticity and sincerity in the digital age: Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This (2021) and Jennifer Egan's The Candy House (2022)

In the digital age, starting with the millennium, authenticity and sincerity have become increasingly elusive concepts as technology reshapes the way individuals connect, communicate, and perceive themselves. The social media, hyperconnectivity, and memory-sharing technologies have introduced new complexities into human relationships, often blurring the boundaries between the real and the artificial. This thesis examines how these issues are reflected in contemporary literature, specifically through Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This (2021) and Jennifer Egan's The Candy House (2022). Both novels explore the impact of technology on human identity and relationships, criticizing the erosion of genuine connection while navigating the frameworks of postmodernism and post-postmodernism. While both novels employ postmodern techniques to reflect the fractured nature of contemporary life, they also transition toward post-postmodern themes of reconstruction and reconnection. No One Is Talking About This adopts a more optimistic stance, emphasizing the possibility of reclaiming authenticity and sincerity through disengagement from technology. On the other hand, The Candy House portrays a more complex relationship with technology, acknowledging both its dangers and its potential for fostering self-discovery and connection. The research concludes that these novels illustrate the severe impact of technology on authenticity and sincerity, while also offering pathways for their recovery. In a world where hyperconnectivity often leads to isolation, pretense, and superficial relationships, literature remains a critical tool for examining what it means to be human. As technology continues to evolve, these narratives emphasize the enduring importance of authenticity and sincerity in preserving meaningful human experiences.