The Conditions of Will Summary, Characters and Themes
The Conditions of Will by Jessa Hastings is a deep exploration of family relationships, self-discovery, and unresolved emotional scars. The novel follows Georgia Carter, who, after receiving the news of her estranged father’s death, must confront her strained familial ties, complicated past, and her emotional struggles with loss.
The book touches on the intricate dynamics between siblings, especially Georgia’s bond with her brother Oliver, and the toxic relationship with her narcissistic sister Maryanne. It also delves into Georgia’s past traumas and how she seeks to make sense of her identity amidst family dysfunction, loss, and a budding romance with Sam Penny.
Summary
Georgia True Carter lives in London, estranged from her South Carolina family after years of distance and unresolved trauma.
She ignores repeated calls from her narcissistic sister Maryanne until a text reveals their father, Will, has died of a heart attack. Georgia feels little emotion — a detachment she isn’t sure stems from shock or the deep emotional chasm between her and her family. Concerned for her brother Oliver, her childhood best friend, she calls him in California and offers to fly him to Okatie for the funeral.
Georgia’s return home stirs painful memories.
At fifteen, she was sent away to boarding school in England after her parents accused her of sleeping with Maryanne’s boyfriend, Beckett — an accusation that concealed the truth: Beckett had sexually assaulted her for a year, with Maryanne knowing but remaining silent to protect her social standing.
Oliver, too, had been sent away as a teen, struggling with ADHD, loneliness, and later alcoholism. Now sober, Oliver attends the funeral with his AA sponsor, Sam Penny, whose calm warmth draws Georgia in.
The family reunion is tense. Maryanne uses every opportunity to belittle Georgia, and their mother Margaret always takes her side.
Tennyson, Georgia’s other brother, keeps a quiet neutrality, even showing occasional understanding toward her. Sam becomes a steady presence, subtly protecting Georgia from her family’s barbs, while Georgia wrestles with a growing attraction to him — complicated by Oliver’s own feelings for Sam and by Georgia’s tendency to compartmentalize intimacy after past heartbreaks, including an ex named Storm.
During the week, Georgia’s conflict with Maryanne escalates until one night at a bar, Beckett appears and gropes her. Georgia publicly confronts him, revealing the truth about his assaults.
Sam and Tennyson physically intervene, but Oliver is hurt to learn he was never told. Later, Georgia and Sam’s connection turns romantic, though they keep it secret for fear of damaging Oliver.
Tensions spike again when the family gathers for the reading of Will’s will. They’re stunned to learn he left a lake house to someone named Alexis Beauchêne.
Digging through Will’s papers, Georgia, Oliver, Tennyson, and Sam follow the trail to New Orleans, where they discover Alexis is a man — Will’s lover since college. The revelation of Will’s hidden sexuality is especially painful for Oliver, who endured his father’s homophobia. Alexis, however, offers insight into Will’s complexities, softening some of the siblings’ resentment.
Oliver eventually discovers Georgia and Sam’s relationship and reacts with anger and betrayal, forcing a reckoning. Georgia and Sam decide to be honest with him, leading to a fragile but growing reconciliation.
Months later, Georgia and Sam are living together in London. On Georgia’s birthday, Sam surprises her with a trip to Paris, joined by Oliver, Tennyson, and Alexis.
Amid the city’s beauty, Oliver gives Georgia his sobriety chip — a symbol of trust and healing — and Georgia professes her love to Sam. Though the family remains scarred by years of secrets and dysfunction, the trip hints at the possibility of love, truth, and forgiveness breaking through generational wounds.
Characters
Georgia Carter
Georgia Carter, the protagonist of The Conditions of Will, is a complex character defined by her emotional detachment and the burden of a dysfunctional family. As a woman in her late twenties, Georgia has spent much of her life avoiding her family’s toxic dynamics, particularly her narcissistic sister Maryanne and her emotionally distant parents.
She is marked by a sense of alienation, both from her family and from societal expectations. Georgia’s identity is rooted in the trauma and unresolved emotions surrounding her upbringing, and her experiences with family dysfunction have shaped her into a woman who often keeps people at arm’s length.
Despite her emotional distance, Georgia exhibits a deep sense of responsibility toward her brother, Oliver. Their shared trauma and complicated past bind them together, although Georgia’s detachment from her family complicates their relationship.
Her relationship with Oliver is one of mutual understanding, built on their shared experiences of neglect and emotional manipulation. Georgia’s refusal to confront her grief after her father’s death is a manifestation of her emotional armor, built over years of trying to protect herself from hurt.
Georgia’s relationship with Sam Penny evolves throughout the story, serving as a catalyst for her self-discovery. Sam represents the possibility of genuine connection, something Georgia has long denied herself.
However, her emotional baggage and past relationships complicate her ability to fully open up to him. The tension between her desire for intimacy and her fear of vulnerability underscores much of her character arc, highlighting her struggle to reconcile love with the emotional scars of her past.
Maryanne Carter
Maryanne, Georgia’s older sister, is the embodiment of narcissism and control. Throughout The Conditions of Will, her behavior disrupts family dynamics, especially through her emotionally manipulative actions toward Georgia.
Maryanne’s need to maintain an image of perfection within the family is a driving force behind her interactions, and her lack of empathy often alienates those around her. Her controlling nature, combined with her anxiety, creates a charged atmosphere in which she tries to assert dominance and project an image of being the ‘perfect’ child in the family, even as her behavior clearly undermines relationships.
Maryanne’s relationship with Georgia is particularly strained due to her consistent need to manipulate and control, making her sister feel less than adequate. She uses her narcissistic tendencies to maintain power over family situations, especially when it comes to their father’s will and the family’s emotional well-being.
Her disregard for Georgia’s emotional needs is a constant source of tension, and her calculated actions contribute to Georgia’s emotional detachment from the family. Maryanne is an antagonist of sorts in Georgia’s journey, embodying the toxicity of a family that prioritizes appearances over genuine emotional connection.
Oliver Carter
Oliver, Georgia’s younger brother, is one of the most tragic characters in The Conditions of Will. Struggling with addiction and the emotional fallout of a fractured family, Oliver is a man caught between his desire for escape and his need for love and acceptance.
His relocation to California represents his attempt to build a new life, yet the chaos of addiction and his struggles with sobriety continue to hold him back. Oliver’s relationship with Georgia is one of mutual understanding, despite their differences in how they cope with their shared family trauma.
While Georgia retreats emotionally, Oliver’s addiction and self-destructive behavior are his ways of dealing with the pain of their upbringing.
Oliver’s character is marked by vulnerability and deep internal conflict. His sense of loyalty to Georgia is evident in his efforts to connect with her, even when she seems emotionally distant.
Despite his flaws, Oliver yearns for redemption and healing, and his journey of recovery is central to his character arc. His bond with Georgia is complicated by his jealousy and frustration when he learns of her romantic relationship with Sam, but it is also marked by his recognition of the family’s dysfunction.
Ultimately, Oliver’s growth throughout the story is symbolized by his efforts toward sobriety, as well as his emotional generosity, seen in his gesture of gifting Georgia a sobriety chip, representing hope for both of them.
Hattie Ramsey
Hattie Ramsey serves as a foil to Georgia in The Conditions of Will. She comes from a supportive and loving family, which contrasts sharply with Georgia’s emotional isolation.
Hattie’s genuine care and concern for Georgia, particularly in the aftermath of her father’s death, highlight Georgia’s own cynicism and detachment. While Hattie offers emotional support and companionship, her inability to fully understand Georgia’s pain often leads to awkward interactions.
Hattie’s sheltered perspective provides a stark contrast to Georgia’s hardened view of life, yet it is through her friendship that Georgia is able to experience moments of tenderness and vulnerability, even if she resists fully embracing them.
Hattie’s role in the story is subtle but crucial, as she represents the possibility of genuine connection and empathy—things Georgia has long denied herself. Although Hattie does not fully comprehend Georgia’s emotional world, her presence offers a much-needed balance to Georgia’s life, providing a momentary respite from the weight of her family’s dysfunction.
Sam Penny
Sam Penny is a pivotal character in Georgia’s emotional journey in The Conditions of Will. He represents a potential for real connection that Georgia has never fully allowed herself to experience.
Sam’s tenderness, patience, and understanding create a stark contrast to the emotional chaos of Georgia’s family life. As someone who becomes a confidant and a possible romantic partner, Sam offers Georgia a glimpse of what a healthy relationship might look like, free from the manipulation and dysfunction that characterize her family dynamics.
Despite his warmth, Sam’s presence complicates Georgia’s feelings, as she grapples with the conflicting emotions of wanting intimacy while fearing the vulnerability that comes with it. Sam’s role as a potential love interest and emotional support is significant in Georgia’s journey, offering her the opportunity to heal from past trauma and build a new future.
His ability to see through Georgia’s emotional defenses and offer her care and stability is what sets him apart from the other characters in her life, making him one of the few who genuinely attempts to help her navigate her complicated emotions.
Tennyson (Tenny) Carter
Tennyson, the oldest sibling in the Carter family, serves as a passive presence in The Conditions of Will, embodying the tendency to avoid confrontation and sweep uncomfortable truths under the rug. Unlike Maryanne, who actively manipulates and controls, or Oliver, who struggles with addiction, Tenny is marked by his inability to confront the complexities of their family dynamics.
His passivity makes him an enabler of the family’s dysfunction, as he avoids addressing the deeper issues that plague their relationships.
Tenny’s character often appears neutral, yet his inability to challenge the lies and false narratives perpetuated by other family members—especially their mother—creates an atmosphere of denial and repression. His role in the family is largely non-confrontational, as he seeks to maintain peace, even at the cost of addressing the underlying issues.
Tenny’s complicity in the family’s dysfunction highlights the broader theme of denial within the family, as each member copes with their emotional pain in their own way.
Themes
Family Dysfunction and Emotional Distance
Georgia’s relationship with her family is characterized by a deep-seated dysfunction that impacts every aspect of her life. From the very beginning, the text paints a picture of a family divided not just by distance but by emotional disconnection.
The most prominent manifestation of this is Georgia’s relationship with her parents, particularly her mother, whose idealistic yet controlling nature stifled Georgia’s sense of self. The distance between Georgia and her family is further compounded by the strained dynamics with her siblings, especially Maryanne, whose narcissistic behavior and emotional manipulation add a layer of complexity to the already fragile familial bonds.
Despite these fractures, Georgia’s connection with her brother Oliver remains somewhat intact. They share an understanding of their family’s dysfunction, although their responses to it differ drastically.
Oliver’s escape into addiction contrasts sharply with Georgia’s attempt at detachment through education and emotional withdrawal. The coldness with which Georgia approaches her father’s death, contrasted with her mother’s forced smiles and her sister’s passive-aggressiveness, reveals the deep emotional scars left by a family that failed to nurture or understand her.
The dinner following the father’s death is a microcosm of this dysfunction, where forced conversations and unspoken resentments build tension, illustrating how the family’s inability to confront its problems leads to a perpetual cycle of emotional isolation and miscommunication.
Identity and Self-Discovery
Georgia’s journey of self-discovery is intricately tied to her relationship with her family, particularly with her father and siblings. Her sense of identity has been shaped by years of emotional neglect and the unrealistic expectations placed on her by her mother, as reflected in her full name, Georgia True Carter, which she finds suffocating and alienating.
Throughout the story, Georgia grapples with the notion of who she is, both in relation to her family and as an individual. Her father’s death forces her to confront the emotional void left by his absence, and the process of unearthing his secret life—specifically his relationship with Alexis—complicates her understanding of herself.
This revelation about her father’s hidden life challenges Georgia’s perception of him, as well as her own identity. The complex emotions she experiences, ranging from indifference to anger, reflect her struggle to reconcile her past with her present.
Her evolving feelings for Sam Penny represent a pivotal aspect of her journey, as she begins to navigate the complexities of love and vulnerability. However, the presence of family tensions and unresolved issues continuously complicates her ability to fully embrace her evolving identity.
Sam’s emotional support, in contrast to her family’s dysfunction, offers Georgia a glimpse into the possibility of genuine connection and love, but she remains hesitant, unsure if she can truly let go of her past and accept the future.
Love and Betrayal
The theme of love and betrayal is woven through Georgia’s interactions with her family and her romantic relationships. Love, for Georgia, is a double-edged sword—something she yearns for but also struggles to trust.
Her romantic entanglements, particularly with Sam Penny, represent a longing for connection amidst the emotional isolation fostered by her family. Sam, in contrast to her family, is a figure of warmth and understanding, offering Georgia a sense of security and affection that she has never known.
However, their budding relationship is not without complications, particularly due to the presence of family trauma and her unresolved feelings for her ex, Storm. The emotional scars from her past relationship with Storm linger, highlighting the difficulties Georgia faces in trusting and fully engaging in a new relationship.
The betrayal within her family, particularly the discovery of her father’s secret life and Maryanne’s manipulation, adds another layer of complexity to Georgia’s understanding of love. Her father’s hidden affair and the emotional betrayal she feels as a result force her to reassess the nature of love within her family.
The unspoken resentments and manipulations, especially by Maryanne, demonstrate the toxic undercurrents of familial love that make it difficult for Georgia to truly experience authentic love without the shadow of past betrayals. In the end, Georgia’s journey involves not only reconciling with the people who have betrayed her but also learning to trust and embrace love, both from others and herself.
Healing and Forgiveness
Healing and forgiveness are recurring themes throughout the story, particularly as Georgia faces the consequences of her family’s actions and her own emotional turmoil. The process of healing is not linear, and it is deeply intertwined with Georgia’s relationship with her family.
As she confronts the emotional wounds inflicted by her parents, especially her father’s absence and her mother’s controlling nature, Georgia must also grapple with the reality of her family’s dysfunction. The tension surrounding the will and the secret life of her father force the family to confront long-buried emotions and unresolved resentments.
Yet, despite the bitterness and anger that arise, there are glimpses of healing, particularly in Georgia’s relationship with Oliver. His path toward sobriety, aided by Sam, symbolizes the possibility of redemption and change, even within a family marked by trauma.
Georgia’s decision to help Oliver attend their father’s funeral, despite the emotional strain, is an act of reconciliation—an attempt to bridge the gap between their fractured relationship. The final moments of the story, including the gift of a sobriety chip from Oliver to Georgia, signify a tentative step toward healing and forgiveness.
Although the family’s history cannot be erased, the gesture of reconciliation, symbolized by the sobriety chip, offers a glimmer of hope. Through her evolving relationship with Sam and her attempts to repair her bond with Oliver, Georgia begins to understand that healing does not require forgetting but rather the willingness to accept the past and move forward, however imperfectly.
The Search for Truth
The search for truth serves as a driving force in the narrative, especially as Georgia uncovers the secrets surrounding her father’s life and his will. The revelation of her father’s secret relationship with Alexis Beauchêne shakes the foundation of Georgia’s understanding of her family, and her quest to unravel the mystery behind the will becomes a metaphor for her larger search for truth.
This search is not just about uncovering hidden facts but about confronting uncomfortable realities. Georgia’s interactions with her family, particularly with Violet and Maryanne, reveal the deep divisions within the family and the lies that have shaped their shared history.
The evasiveness of her aunt Violet regarding Alexis’ identity highlights the family’s reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths, preferring to maintain the false narratives that have protected their image. Georgia’s pursuit of the truth, even at the expense of alienating her family, underscores her desire for clarity and authenticity.
As she begins to understand the complexities of her father’s life, Georgia starts to grapple with her own role in the family and her place within it. The truth, while painful, becomes a catalyst for her self-realization, challenging her to confront the lies that have defined her relationship with her parents and siblings.
In the end, the search for truth becomes not only about understanding her father’s secrets but also about coming to terms with the emotional truths that lie within her own heart.