5 Things We Learn in the Welcome to Night Vale Novel

On October 20, podcast fans can look forward to getting their first prolonged look at this weird little desert town from the inside: instead of Cecil’s flawless reporting on Night Vale Community Radio, we view life through the eyes of two longtime Night Vale residents. This little ditty about Jackie and Diane provides some fun insights for Carlos groupies and Desert Bluffs spies alike.
Consider the following (mostly spoiler-free) revelations:
1) Night Vale is as into Carlos and Cecil’s relationship as we are.
The romance of Cecil and Carlos has enchanted listeners from its inception. As it turns out, the people of Night Vale are also interested in Cecil’s relationship with the hunky scientist interloper. In fact, it’s a “point of near-constant discussion” around town, probably because Cecil never stops talking about his boyfriend during his broadcasts. Furthermore, Carlos plays a part in the novel’s story, though he can just barely stop gushing about Cecil long enough to do some science.
2) The Night Vale library is stocked with the essentials.
Jackie and Diane’s quest takes them into that most feared of Night Vale institutions: the public library. Previously, most of what we knew about the selection came from Tamika Flynn’s heroics during the tragic Summer Reading Program of 2013, in which she not only led her fellow children to safety but also completed Cry, the Beloved Country. But as Jackie and Diane flee the malevolent grasps of the librarians (you’ll see), we glimpse a little more of the inventory. For instance, the shelf of Ursula K. Le Guin novels is streaked with distinctly blood-like stains. (“Poor book lover,” Diane thinks.) There is also the biography section, stocked solely with copies of Helen Hunt’s biography. I’m not sure what else we need.
3) Yep, the station internship is still deadly.
Despite the election of former intern Dana Cardinal as mayor, it seems the life expectancy of Night Vale Community Radio interns has not improved. RIP Intern Jodi, who joins an illustrious list of former interns who have been vaporized, absorbed by trees, disappeared into the library, bitten by antiques, etc. Then again, as Dana sagely counsels Jackie from her mayoral office, “What are people but deaths that haven’t happened yet?”
4) It is technically possible to leave Night Vale and remain on this earthly plane.
Troy, Diane’s former flame and father to her son, apparently left Night Vale to strike out on his own. Until the events of the novel, it has been years since she has seen any trace of him, despite the fact that it is almost universally acknowledged no one leaves Night Vale. (No one really comes to Night Vale either, save for Carlos.) The exception to the rule is, of course, the desert otherworld full of masked invaders, which can be accessed at multiple points in Night Vale, most prominently through the dog park.
5) Night Vale has hipsters.
Consider this event announcement from one of Cecil’s in-book broadcasts: Dark Owl Records will hold a seance to reach the ghost of Patsy Cline. Bolo ties are mandatory. As bonus proof: Invisible pie is a new fad (thanks, Steve Carlsberg). You’ve probably never seen it.