A review by grimalkintoes
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Sigrid Nunez's The Friend rips right through your gut — overwhelming grief scorching stomach lining. Spoken into being by a nameless author, The Friend traces the steps of loss as writing bears witness to the suicide of a close friend. Mourning quietly in the margins, there sits a dog, too.

"But let me say this: When you're lying in bed full of night thoughts, such as why did your friend have to die and how much longer will it be before you lose the roof over your head, having a huge warm body pressed along the length of your spine is an amazing comfort."