by Sigrid Nunez
First published 2019
A writer loses her closest friend and mentor to suicide. He leaves behind a massive Great Dane that she must now care for, despite her apartment building's strict no-pets policy. The dog grieves its missing master in silence while she struggles with her own loss. Eviction looms as neighbors complain. She becomes consumed with understanding the animal's needs and emotions, spending nearly every moment trying to decode its behavior. Her isolation deepens as she prioritizes the dog's wellbeing over social connections and practical concerns. Friends worry she has lost perspective, but she refuses to abandon the creature or give it away. The woman pushes herself to the edge of breakdown while learning to navigate grief alongside her unlikely companion. Through their shared mourning, both human and animal discover unexpected forms of healing and connection that reshape their understanding of love and loss.
Genres: fiction, animals, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, grief
212 pages · Paperback · Riverhead Books
Content warnings: suicide