'a sharp-eyed and tender novel about human connection' (paula hawkins) from the bestselling, national book award-winning author of the friend 'layered and thoughtful ... it's plainly written, but has beautiful depths' telegraph - the 75 hottest books of 2024 so far 'a must-read about unlikely friendships' sunday times style 'one of my favourite authors' natalie portman 'a novel that truly, truly speaks to the soul' glamour 'makes you feel smarter and more alive' people three strangers are thrown together in one manhattan apartment: a solitary writer; a gen z college drop-out; and a spirited parrot named eureka. as the world outside descends into turmoil, the three of them must learn how to live with and care for one another - and discover what happens when strangers are willing to open their hearts to each other. 'compulsively readable' elle 'a gorgeous, funny novel about connection' ipaper 'a breath of fresh air for a time when it still sometimes feels there isn't any' good housekeeping 'beautiful and profound' meg mason 'infused with moments of hilarity and wisdom. beautiful' woman's weekly 'filled with moments of the sublime' caroline o'donoghue 'once you discover sigrid nunez, you don't look back' anne enright 'cracks open windows and offers a reassuring breeze, reminding us that it's ok - and perhaps even necessary - to need each other; it's only human' san francisco chronicle 'i am committed, until one of us dies, to nunez's novels. they are short, wise, provocative, funny' new york times