Midwest Emo
"What a midwesterner he was, a thoroughly unhip guy with his heart in the usual place, on the sleeve, in plain sight." — Charles Baxter, The Feast of Love
Fiction that embodies the experience of being Midwestern and full of big feelings: depression, yearning, being lost in a cornfield
created by teddydee
last updated July, 2026
Comments
NOTES:
— SOMEDAY THIS PAIN WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU (Cameron): This kid's a New Yorker in reality but a Midwesterner in his heart. The book stays — THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ (Baum): inspired by Baum's recurring childhood nightmare of a scarecrow pursuing him across a field. Additionally, in the film adaptation, the Toto subplot is never resolved, casting a shadow over Dorothy's relief to be home.
just want to say i love you “the book stays” note. you are fighting the good fight🫡 (agree abt that book too btw)
Your lists are always bangers and as an actual midwestern emo your description is very real.
teddydeeOP
Takes one to know one ;) and thank you!
