In “Luckiest Girl Alive,” Ben was Ani’s former classmate who died by suicide.
Ani FaNelli, the protagonist of “Luckiest Girl Alive” by Jessica Knoll, is haunted by a traumatic event from her past involving her former classmate, Ben. During their time at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani, then known as TifAni, was part of a group of friends that included Arthur, Dean, and Ben. The group was involved in a scandalous incident that led to a documentary about the school.
Ben, struggling with his own issues and the pressures of the school environment, ultimately took his own life. This event is one of several that deeply affected Ani and shaped her into the person she becomes. The novel explores themes of trauma, the pressure to conform to societal expectations, and the pursuit of a perfect life, all while Ani grapples with the aftermath of her experiences at Bradley School, including the loss of Ben and the impact it had on her and her peers.
