The Friend

By Sigrid Nunez
2018
Rating: 8.5

It’s so refreshing to read a novel that won a prominent literary award — a National Book Award in this case — that actually deserved to win a prominent literary award.

I recommend The Friend enthusiastically to anyone, but to writers and to dog-lovers in particular. Which is not to say that The Friend is one of these so-called “Dog” books.

Poignant, sharp, moving, warm, funny, profound, wry, generous, smart, poignant, deft — these words all come to mind when I think about The Friend.

Going into detail about the book’s strengths would spoil it for a first-time reader, and I don’t want to do that. I will just reiterate that it’s a great book.

I had a few very minor quibbles with it, most of which I won’t get into here, again because you should read it cold.