Art & Literature
What to Read | Books About Friendship
Article By Sahara .
Jul 29, 2024
With International Day of Friendship upon us, we couldn’t help but ponder the rich tapestry of friendships that have touched our lives in some way or another. From old friends that have supported us through the ups and downs of life, to new friends who have opened us up to new experiences and conversations, they all hold such a valuable place in our hearts and lives. In celebration of solidarity and meaningful connections forged, we’ve curated an edit of some of our favourite books that document the highs, the lows and everything in between.
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The Virago Book of Friendship - Rachel Cooke
A fascinating look at female friendship in literature by author and journalist Rachel Cooke, analysing nearly one hundred examples across the centuries and throughout the world. Celebratory, but also explanatory and wide in scope - from the Bible to My Brilliant Friend, from school friends to the loss of friends in old age - this wonderful book includes Jane Austen, Nora Ephron, Toni Morrison, Vivian Gornick, Helen Garner, LM Montgomery, Dolly Alderton – among them. This book is truly the first of its kind, looking at female friendship through literature.
Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict - Elizabeth Day
The author and host of the highly acclaimed book and podcast, ‘How to Fail’, Elizabeth Day is an award-winning journalist who has written for The Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Observer, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. Friendaholic unpacks the significance and evolution of friendship. From exploring her own personal friendships and the distinct importance of each of them in her life, to the unique and powerful insights of others across the globe, Elizabeth asks why there isn’t yet a language that can express its crucial influence on our world. Friendaholic is the book you buy for the people you love but it's also the book you read to become a better friend to yourself.
The Group - Mary McCarthy
New York, 1930. Eight Vassar graduates meet in New York to attend the wedding of one of their friends - and reconvene seven years later at her funeral. Young and fearless, they vow not to become as rigid and frightened like their parents, but to lead fulfilling, emancipated lives. But which of them will achieve that dream - and at what cost? Ground-breaking in its fearless portrayal of female friendship and the struggle to have it all.
My Brilliant Friend - Elena Ferrante
The first of four books which comprise the Neopolitan series. ‘My Brilliant Friend’ introduces us to Elena and Lila, two little girls who learn to rely on each other growing up in a poor village outside of Naples in the 1950s. The series spans almost 60 years of friendship following the protagonist through all the challenges life throws at her, from first loves to career and family, this atmospheric book will instantly transport you to the streets of Naples and the sights and sounds of the era.
Swing Time - Zadie Smith
Travel from London to West Africa in this story of a complicated childhood friendship and how those early bonds can reverberate through our lives. The incisive and exuberant book explores the challenges of growing up, escaping one's roots (or finding them) and how deeply inequality runs.