Spectacular Things: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

Mia is enamored with Yale and New Haven in the fall. But even though the college and city feel picturesque, she can’t help but feel homesick. She’s also taken aback by the extreme wealth and privilege on display at the Ivy League school. Three nights per week, Mia goes to her work-study job at a library off the beaten path. One night, after Mia finishes researching other topics, she does an internet search for Liz to see what will come up. She scrolls through pictures of her mother in high school before landing on one with Q in it. In the picture, Q is identified as the coach of the team Liz is on. Mia realizes that Q had been Liz’s high school coach.

Liz always described her relationship with Q as a tragic love story. Now, Mia realizes that Liz has been lying to her, and perhaps to herself, about Q. To Mia, it’s clear that Q should be in jail. Mia searches the internet for Q. She finds numerous articles about allegations of sexual misconduct and lawsuits several former students and players filed against him and the school where he worked. After leaving the library that night, Mia runs into her roommate, Nell, and another first-year student named Landon. The three go out drinking. After that night, Mia changes her perspective on college. She begins going out more and making new friends. When she’s out, she ignores Liz and Cricket’s calls and texts. Mia wants to take advantage of the four years she has at Yale to expand her opportunities in life.