Arcadia

Content Warning: Arcadia mentions sexual abuse and harassment, implied miscarriage, infant death, and death by suicide, and depicts child endangerment, depression, drug abuse, unclear sexual consent, and assisted suicide.

Bit’s first memory is of women singing in 1968, even though he was an embryo at the time. His father, Abe, and mother, Hannah, arrived at New York commune Arcadia in a caravan, to the sight of men doing sun salutations, building bonfires, and tuning guitars, and women washing clothes in the river as they sing. He has been told of his parents’ arrival so many times that it’s become his first memory.

The narrative flashes forward to Bit at age five. The unofficial leader of Arcadia, Handy, is preparing for a musical tour he’ll use to spread the word of Arcadia. Bit is frightened of fellow Arcadian Dartful Codger, an elderly man who shouts. The Dartful Codger dies in his sleep, with Bit having watched him die and “wake up” with a look of peace. When Hannah cries over the death, Bit is confused. Abe explains Hannah is dealing with her own father’s poor health. Bit remembers meeting his grandparents, who visited Arcadia and remarked on his small size.