Sign in with Facebook
Barbara (Wedding week, checking in when I can!)'s Reviews > The Friend
The Friend
by
by
Barbara (Wedding week, checking in when I can!)'s review
bookshelves: adult-fiction, man-booker, contemplative
Dec 08, 2018
bookshelves: adult-fiction, man-booker, contemplative
Winner of the 2018 National Book Award, ”The Friend” is a brilliant meditative novel about grief, writing, loss, and love. The unnamed narrator is an author whose good friend committed suicide. The narrator tries to make sense of it by writing about it.
Author Sigrid Nunez is gifted with lush prose. This novel is quiet and moving, yet not maudlin. The narrator tells the history of her relationship with the man who committed “self murder”. She also ruminates about writing and being an author.
Interestingly, she adds a 180 pound Great Dane to the mix. The dog was “willed” to her by the man who died. The narrator finds that the dog is also grieving.
It sounds sad, but it’s more interesting than sad. Nunez has many reflections of authors, philosophers, and novels. She references “Disgrace” by J. M. Coetzee a lot. It’s only 212 pages, and full of profound thoughts. I highly recommend the novel because it’s incredibly thought provoking and a graceful read.
Author Sigrid Nunez is gifted with lush prose. This novel is quiet and moving, yet not maudlin. The narrator tells the history of her relationship with the man who committed “self murder”. She also ruminates about writing and being an author.
Interestingly, she adds a 180 pound Great Dane to the mix. The dog was “willed” to her by the man who died. The narrator finds that the dog is also grieving.
It sounds sad, but it’s more interesting than sad. Nunez has many reflections of authors, philosophers, and novels. She references “Disgrace” by J. M. Coetzee a lot. It’s only 212 pages, and full of profound thoughts. I highly recommend the novel because it’s incredibly thought provoking and a graceful read.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Friend.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
December, 2018
–
Started Reading
December 8, 2018
– Shelved as:
adult-fiction
December 8, 2018
– Shelved
December 8, 2018
– Shelved as:
man-booker
December 8, 2018
–
Finished Reading
April 15, 2023
– Shelved as:
contemplative
Comments Showing 1-9 of 9 (9 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Felicia
(new)
Dec 11, 2018 05:44PM
Great review, Barbara 💖
reply
|
flag
Felicia wrote: "Great review, Barbara 💖"thank you Felicia!
I've heard nothing but good things about this book, yet have shied away from reading it due to the subject matter. I see you've given it 5 stars - it looks like the book resonated with you.
A generous review Barbara and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Several things about it put me off, but I am always happy when others find the good in books. Thank you!
Holly R W wrote: "I've heard nothing but good things about this book, yet have shied away from reading it due to the subject matter. I see you've given it 5 stars - it looks like the book resonated with you."It really did Holly. I think the short page count was wise for such a heavy subject.
Alan wrote: "A generous review Barbara and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Several things about it put me off, but I am always happy when others find the good in books. Thank you!"I'll check out your review Alan. I love reading differing opinions!!
Barbara wrote: "I'll check out your review Alan. I love reading differing opinions!!"Thanks Barbara! Your 5-star enthusiasm does make me think I should give this another chance down the road. We seem to agree on so many other books. 😊
"Quiet and moving" - exactly the right description
Ms.pegasus wrote: ""Quiet and moving" - exactly the right description"thank you so much Ms. Pegasus!
