The Friend: Virago 50th Anniversary Edition

This moving, funny, and deeply perceptive novel explores the complex terrain of love, friendship, grief, and the unexpected healing power of the magical bond between a woman and her dog. When a writer unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor to suicide, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted companion he left behind: Apollo, a grieving and massive Great Dane. Her intense battle against her own sorrow is magnified by the mute, heartbreaking suffering of the giant dog, as well as the immediate threat of eviction, since animals are strictly prohibited in her small apartment building.

Isolated from the outside world and increasingly consumed by Apollo's care, the protagonist becomes determined to read the dog's mind and comfort his broken heart, coming dangerously close to unraveling. Yet, amid the escalating complications, a deep and transformative connection begins to grow between the two lonely souls, bringing rich and surprising rewards. Now available in a stunning new edition celebrating five decades of feminist publishing, Sigrid Nunez's National Book Award winner stands as an iconic classic that delivers a masterfully written, comforting, and unforgettable examination of loss, resilience, and devotion.