We All Want Impossible Things: For fans of Nora Ephron, a warm, funny and deeply moving story of friendship at its imperfect and radiant best

We All Want Impossible Things is a 2023 Richard & Judy Book Club book that explores the life and friendship of Edi and Ash, who have been best friends for over forty years. When Edi is diagnosed with cancer, Ash's world reshapes around her care, building a powerhouse of memories and learning when to hold on and let go. The book is a deeply moving, jubilant celebration of life and friendship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

"We All Want Impossible Things" is a novel by Catherine Newman that delves into the complex relationship between two best friends, Edi and Ash, as they navigate the challenges of life together. The book explores themes of love, loss, friendship, and resilience, and is filled with humor, heartache, and moments of pure joy.

Nora Ephron-style wit and comforting, so funny, moving... one of my favorite books ever. Marian Keyes Newman writes loss and laughter in equally brilliant amounts. Bonnie Garmus Dazzling, heart-wrenching, snorty-hilarious... An utter joy to read. Rachel Joyce An absolute masterpiece in characterisation... utterly beautiful. Joanna Cannon Who knows you better than your best friend? Who knows your secrets, your fears, your desires, your strange imperfect self? Edi and Ash have been best friends for over forty years. Since childhood, they have seen each other through life's milestones: stealing vodka from their parents, the Madonna phase, REM concerts, unexpected wakes, marriages, infertility, children. As Ash notes, Edi's memory is like the back-up hard drive for mine. So when Edi is diagnosed with cancer, Ash's world reshapes around the rhythms of Edi's care, from making watermelon ice cubes to music therapy; from snack smuggling to impromptu excursions into the frozen winter night. Because life is about squeezing the joy out of every moment, about building a powerhouse of memories, about learning when to hold on, and when to let go.

For fans of Nora Ephron and Sorrow & Bliss, "We All Want Impossible Things" is a deeply moving, jubilant celebration of life and friendship at its imperfect, radiant, and irreverent best.

You'll stay up late devouring every word. Katherine Heiny One of the best novels on friendship I've ever read. AJ Pearce I absolutely adored this... what a beautiful, emotional novel. Jill Mansell Shot through with whip-smart humor and boundless compassion. It's one of the best debuts I've read in a long time.

Weight: 194g
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529177220