A collection of essays about the joys and struggles of being alone by 22 literary writers including: Lev Grossman, Jhumpa Lahiri, Lena Dunham, Jesmyn Ward, Yiyun Li, and Anthony Doerr

If you’re feeling lonely or if you’ve ever felt unseen, if you’re emboldened by solitude or secretly longing for it: Welcome to The Lonely Stories. This cathartic collection of essays illuminates an experience that so few of us openly discuss. Some stories are heartbreaking, such as Jesmyn Ward’s reckoning with the loss of her husband and Dina Nayeri’s reflection on immigrating to a foreign country. Others are witty, such as Lev Grossman’s rueful tale of heading to the woods or Anthony Doerr’s struggles with internet addiction. Still others celebrate the clarity of solitude, like Claire Dederer’s journey toward sobriety and Lidia Yuknavitch’s sensual look at desire. Thoughtful and affirming, The Lonely Stories reveals the complexities of an emotion we’ve all felt—reminding us that we're not alone.

Contributors include:

Megan Giddings

Claire Dederer

Imani Perry

Jeffery Renard Allen

Maggie Shipstead

Emily Raboteau

Lev Grossman

Lena Dunham

Yiyun Li

Anthony Doerr

Helena Fitzgerald

Maile Meloy

Aja Gabel

Jean Kwok

Amy Shearn

Peter Ho Davies

Maya Shanbhag Lang

Jhumpa Lahiri

Jesmyn Ward

Lidia Yuknavitch

Dina Nayeri

Melissa Febos