Rising literary star Sarah Gerard’s collection of essays explores modern human survival through intimacy, addiction, obsession, religion, homelessness, and incarceration. Drawing from her experiences growing up in Florida’s gulf coast, Gerard combines personal insight with societal exposé and stylistic innovation. The title essay features a volunteer at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary who meets its founder, a former model who has fallen into fraud and madness. Gerard’s personal stories are equally poignant, including an exploration of acquaintance rape and consent in her first relationship and a meditation on jealousy and class in an intimate female friendship. Sunshine State offers a unique perspective on Florida, a state grappling with economic and environmental challenges that serve as a lens for examining pressing national issues. (This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)