These days, there are so many fiction books that celebrate romance in all of its forms: heterosexual and homosexual; from the erotic to the exotic; found in Young Adult genre to fully-fledged adult literature.
But what about celebrating friendship in fiction? Much like romance, there is so much to explore but it isn’t nearly as recognised enough. There are stories about old friends, new friends, and unlikely friends, and this is something that anyone can relate to. So here are some of my recommendations, in honour of friendship in all its glory:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
If this book doesn’t celebrate friendship, then I don’t know what does. It’s a piece of historical fiction, set during the German occupation of Guernsey during World War II. A group of people from all different backgrounds come together during this troublesome time and keep each other protected, creating their own society (as the title indicates!). Even though their freedom was limited, their friendship was always stronger.
This is the perfect book that shows what true friendship is. Friends are those who look out for each other, especially when times are tough. There is such a strong theme of loyalty throughout this book and how friendship can come together in the most unexpected ways. Definitely worth a read if you like feeling all warm and fuzzy inside!
How to be Happy – Eva Woods
This book is such a tear-jerker but it’s still so wonderful at the same time. It follows the story of Annie, who’s been depressed for a long time, until she meets Polly. While Polly is the happiest person you’ll ever meet, she’s also only got one hundred days to help Annie find happiness.
This is the story of two unlikely friends coming together in a time in which you least expect it. Annie and Polly couldn’t be more different and yet they need each other more than ever. It really emphasises the importance of friendship, even if you feel too sad and lost to think otherwise. This book discusses the struggles of mental health but that need for happiness also shines throughout every chapter.
All my Friends are Superheroes – Andrew Kauffman
This is a story that celebrates diversity and the different relationships one can have in friendship but does this through the characterisation of superheroes.
As the title indicates, all of Tom’s friends are superheroes and he even married one called The Perfectionist. But The Perfectionist has been hypnotised by her ex to believe that Tom is invisible and thinks that he has abandoned her. So, Tom goes to all his superhero friends to figure out a solution to this problem.
This book takes a good look at the wonders of friendship, of all different shapes and sizes. Whilst romance plays a prominent theme, the friendship is still very much there because you’ll always come back to your friends when you’re in a spot of bother.
Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Perkins
Even though this is a children’s book, I still enjoyed reading it as an adult. It will stick with you long after you turn the final page, no matter what age you are.
This is the story of a simple friendship between two children, Jesse and Leslie, who come together to create their own magical kingdom called Terabithia. Even though they both very different from each other, that doesn’t stop their friendship from blossoming. The strong theme of childhood imagination is something we can all relate to. The world that these two create is a way for them to forget the problems that they have to face in their everyday life. I would highly recommend this book if you haven’t read it already.
Good Omens – Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Not only does this book celebrate friendship but the authors of this novel had known each other since 1985. Once again, this looks at the friendship of two protagonists who couldn’t be more different from one another: an angel and a demon. Together, they band together to stop the incoming apocalypse. Aziraphale and Crawley don’t always understand each other, but their friendship still remains strong after the thousands of years of being in each other’s company.
But this story of unlikely friendship doesn’t stop at the relationship between Aziraphale and Crawley. Whilst eleven-year-old Adam Young (also known as the Antichrist) struggles with the impending doom of the apocalypse, he still has his childhood friends by his side. This is a story that examines friendship of all ages and from all points of history. This book was definitely a fun one to read!
Carrie Duggan
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