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TIMEs 100 Must Read Books of 2025 Vultures Best Books of 2025 New York Magazines Best Books of the YearLuster meets The Idiot in this riveting debut novel about a volatile friendship between two outsiders who escape their bleak childhoods and enter the glamorous early 90s art world in New York City, where only one of them can make it.Ruth, an only child of recent immigrants to New England, lives in an emotionally cold home and attends the local Catholic girls school on a scholarship. Maria, a beautiful orphan whose Panamanian mother dies by suicide and is taken care of by an ill, unloving aunt, is one of the only other students attending the school on a scholarship. Ruth is drawn forcefully into Marias orbit, and they fall into an easy, yet intense, friendship. Her devotion to her charming and bright new friend opens up her previously sheltered world.While Maria, charismatic and aware of her ability to influence others, eases into her full self, embracing her sexuality and her desire to be an artist, Ruth is mostly content to follow her around: to college and then into the earlynineties art world of New York City. There, ambition and competition threaten to rupture their friendship, while strong and unspoken forces pull them together over the years. Whereas Maria finds early success in New York City as an artist, Ruth stumbles along the fringes of the art world, pulled toward a quieter life of work and marriage. As their lives converge and diverge, they meet in one final and fateful confrontation.Ruth and Marias decadeslong friendship interrogates the nature of intimacy, desire, class and time. What does it mean to be an artist and to be true to oneself? What does it mean to give up on an obsession? Marking the arrival of a sensational new literary talent, Lonely Crowds challenges us to reckon honestly with our own ambitions and the lives we hope to lead.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
I had high hopes for Lonely Crowds, but the ending left me unsatisfied. It felt rushed and didn't tie up all the loose ends. I wanted more closure from the story.
M
Maria Chen
A captivating read from start to finish
Lonely Crowds is an amazing novel that really pulls you in. The characters are so well developed and the plot keeps you guessing. I couldn't put it down!
S
Simon Patel
Thought-provoking but slow at times
I found Lonely Crowds to be quite thought-provoking. The themes it explores are deep, but there were parts that felt a bit slow. Still, I enjoyed most of it!
A
Aisha Khan
An interesting but flawed story
Lonely Crowds had some great ideas and moments, but the pacing was off. I felt like some parts dragged on longer than they needed to. It's a decent read, though.
J
James O'Connor
Powerful themes beautifully written
This novel is so beautifully written! The author really captures the essence of loneliness and connection. I could relate to the characters in so many ways. Definitely a keeper!
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