The Lonely City by Olivia Laing

When Olivia Laing moved to New York City in her mid-thirties, she found herself inhabiting loneliness on a daily basis. Increasingly fascinated by this most shameful of experiences, she began to explore the lonely city by way of art.

Moving fluidly between the works and lives of some of the city's most compelling artists, Laing conducts an electric, dazzling investigation into what it means to be alone, illuminating not only the causes of loneliness but also how it might be resisted and redeemed.

A new kind of literature . . . Endlessly, compulsively fascinating - New Statesman

Unusually brave . . . Sublime - The Times

Laing cuts close to the bone of a universal yet often unrelatable state - Financial Times

A gifted critic and biographer . . . a fascinating, eerie piece of writing - Sunday Times

One of the finest writers of the new non-fiction . . . Compelling and original - Harpers Bazaar

Exhilarating . . . beautifully integrated, original, compassionate - Independent

Accessible, bright and endlessly thought-provoking . . . a commentator of exceptional heart and voice - Irish Independent

Magical . . . reminding us of how it feels to be lonely, this book gently affirms our connectedness - Boston Globe

Connecting becomes less intimidating if the fear of failure is removed. This brave book is a step in that direction - Economist