Rules for Visiting

In her fortieth year, May is at a crossroads. She sets off on a journey to visit four neglected friends, exploring the power and limits of modern friendship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 18 June 2020
Publisher: Granta Books

In the midst of my fortieth year, a pivotal moment arrived when the weight of my past and all its intricacies seemed to surpass the promise of the future. My mind, brimming with words left unsaid, actions taken and left undone, found itself at a loss for direction. The months slipped by, and May found herself standing at a crossroads, her career as a gardener for the university flourishing, while the rest of her life had narrowed into a parched routine. Her father grew old, her brother estranged, and she maintained a distance from her neighbors. Yet, she discerned that the missing piece was friendship, the essence that could breathe life into her existence. Determined to reclaim this vital component, May embarked on a journey to visit four neglected friends, one by one. With a wry sense of humor, she held herself (and them) to impossibly high standards, while at home, she began to confront the pain of her past and envision a different kind of future for herself.

May's quest evolved into an exploration of the profound power and, perhaps, the inherent limitations of modern friendship. As she traversed the paths of her past and present, she discovered that friendship was not merely a collection of acquaintances but a tapestry of connections that could nourish, support, and inspire. Through her interactions with her friends, May learned the importance of vulnerability, empathy, and genuine connection. She realized that true friendship was not about perfection but about embracing the imperfections of others and offering a compassionate ear and a listening heart.

In the end, May's journey taught her that friendship was not just a luxury but a necessity. It was a catalyst for personal growth, a source of joy and fulfillment, and a reminder that we are all connected in ways that we may never fully comprehend. As she closed the chapter of her fortieth year, May embraced the promise of a new era, one filled with the warmth and companionship of true friendship.

Weight: 212g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783784653