" The qualities that make parties such a nightmare for people – and also so pleasurable – make them incredibly important inside of fiction. There’s a chaos agent quality to them: You just don’t know who’s going to be there or why. You could run into an old enemy, an old friend, an old friend who’s become an enemy. "
- Alexander Chee

Parties can often be a source of both anxiety and excitement because they are unpredictable gatherings where various unexpected encounters can occur. People attending such events might run into individuals from their past who could range from old friends to former adversaries, making these social occasions complex and dynamic.

On a deeper level, the quote highlights how the unpredictability inherent in parties serves as a powerful narrative device in literature. It underscores the idea that chance meetings at such gatherings can dramatically alter storylines by introducing new conflicts or reconciliations. This chaotic element adds richness to storytelling, enabling characters' lives to intersect in unexpected ways and driving plot development forward. The quote suggests that while real-life social events may be fraught with unpredictability, this characteristic is particularly valuable within the structured yet open-ended realm of fiction.

Alexander Chee is an accomplished American author known for his evocative writing on themes such as identity, politics, and literature. His insights often delve into how different aspects of society influence storytelling, making him a respected voice in contemporary literary discussions.