THE VIRAGO BOOK OF FRIENDSHIP

'Friendship is a matter of investment, if not hard work. Like a garden without water, it 'dies fast' when neglected'. - Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology

‘The Virago Book of Friendship’ is a touching and thoughtful study of friendship as discovered by writer Rachel Cooke who shares her literary wisdom, diaries and letters that present an endearing insight into women’s friendship. This unique anthology makes a wonderful book club read or gift for your literary bestie.

The book covers defining 'friendship', first encounters, confessions, solidarity, frenemies and Den readers enjoyed picking up on friendship formed through the prism of literature. It was endearing to return to favourite writers such as Nora Ephron, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf and indeed be introduced to lesser known authors. This book is the perfect way to start the new year as well as be inspired to discover new authors for 2025.

The Den enjoyed Cooke’s commentary on her own friendships and there are some lovely stories and gems covering fallouts to making up to final goodbyes.

'Disagreements have their place, but so does the whispering of secrets. When - if - important information is withheld, the friendship may ultimately be imperilled; a friend can often sense, even if they cannot quite see it, the gauze that is non-disclosure'.

Lots of gold dust in this collection and an uplifting celebration of female friendship and sisterhood!