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The Friend
224 pages, 2019
fiction
1382 booksThe Friend is a moving story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog. When a woman unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. The dog is traumatized by its master's disappearance and the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. While others worry that grief has made her a victim of magical thinking, the woman refuses to be separated from the dog except for brief periods of time. Isolated from the rest of the world, increasingly obsessed with the dog's care, determined to read its mind and fathom its heart, she comes dangerously close to unraveling. But while troubles abound, rich and surprising rewards lie in store for both of them. Elegiac and searching, The Friend is both a meditation on loss and a celebration of human-canine devotion.
In The Friend, Sigrid Nunez explores the deep bond between a woman and a dog she inherits from a deceased friend. This relationship helps her cope with her grief and loneliness. It's a reminder that friendship can come in unexpected forms and can be a powerful force in our lives.
The Friend digs into the process of grief and healing. The protagonist's journey shows us that it's okay to grieve, and that healing can take time. It's a comforting message for anyone who's lost someone close to them.
Sigrid Nunez uses the protagonist, a writer, to explore the role of writing in understanding and expressing emotions. The book encourages us to see writing as a tool for self-discovery and communication.
The Friend takes a look at the unique bond between humans and animals. The dog, Apollo, becomes a source of comfort and companionship for the protagonist. This relationship highlights the therapeutic potential of pets.
The Friend encourages us to confront and discuss the concept of death. Through the protagonist's experiences and reflections, we are invited to consider our own views on mortality and the afterlife.
