Do You Love Me? By Peter Carey

What keeps us from fading away?

As my first encounter with Peter Carey’s work, Do You Love Me? took me by surprise, in a good way. Divided into 14 small sections, we learn from an unnamed narrator that in this particular society, cartographers are highly esteemed, playing a critical role in mapping the world to keep it from disappearing entirely. Yet even their efforts can’t halt the creeping phenomenon of “dematerialization,” which has become an unnervingly accepted part of everyday life. Buildings, landscapes, and even people quietly fade away, leaving those left behind to grapple with their fleeting existence. The story weaves themes of identity, love, and existence into an eerie exploration of what it means to truly be seen. 

The narrator is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of love and memory, especially the complicated relationship with his father, a famous cartographer. These moments are beautifully rendered and poignant. The author's blending of surrealism with psychological depth, forces the reader to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life. 

Carey’s skill as a writer, lies in his ability to make the bizarre feel almost normal, crafting an atmosphere of quiet dread that sneaks up on you. Despite the haunting premise, the horror here isn’t necessarily grotesque or supernatural; it’s more psychological and existential. The story taps into a primal fear of being forgotten, the fragility of relationships slipping through your fingers, and of the unsettling reminder that our time on Earth is temporary. Upon our passing and given enough time, any memory of us will be gone and it will be as if we never existed here in the first place.

You can read this story HERE.