Field Notes on Love

01Finding another Margaret for the trip

Imagine being dumped by your girlfriend just days before a planned cross-country train trip. Now, add to that the fact that the tickets are non-refundable and in her name. That's exactly the predicament Hugo Wilkinson, one of the Surrey Six sextuplets, finds himself in Jennifer E. Smith's "Field Notes on Love." Hugo's sudden breakup with Margaret Campbell, his long-time girlfriend, is the catalyst that sets the story in motion. The unexpected end of their relationship leaves Hugo with a pair of non-refundable, non-transferable train tickets for a trip across America. The tickets, unfortunately, are in Margaret's name, which means Hugo can't use them unless he finds another Margaret Campbell to travel with him. Being one of the Surrey Six, Hugo has always lived a life of shared identity. As a sextuplet, he's never truly been alone, always part of a collective. This collective identity, while comforting, also comes with its own pressures and expectations. The planned trip was supposed to be a chance for Hugo to step out of his siblings' shadows and experience life on his own terms. Despite the breakup, he's determined to go on the trip, even if it means finding a new Margaret Campbell. The non-refundable tickets add a sense of urgency to Hugo's situation. He can't simply postpone the trip or go alone. He needs to find a Margaret Campbell, and he needs to find her fast. This predicament propels the plot forward, as Hugo embarks on a frantic search for a new travel companion. The requirement of finding a new Margaret Campbell introduces an element of chance and unpredictability into the story. It's not just about finding someone with the right name; it's about finding someone willing to drop everything and embark on a cross-country trip with a stranger. This requirement serves as a catalyst for the rest of the story, leading Hugo to Mae, an aspiring filmmaker who happens to share the same name as his ex-girlfriend. In the end, Hugo's unique situation and the challenges he faces serve to highlight the broader themes of the story. "Field Notes on Love" is not just about a cross-country train trip; it's about chance, unpredictability, and the search for individuality. It's about a young man's journey to find himself, and in the process, finding love in the most unexpected places.