I understand the core of what is being said. Namely, female friendships be a site of inventing ourselves, spaces carved out away from patriarchy and heteronormative ideas of family, to a place of friendship and intimacy that reaches beyond the boundaries of romantic love. I agree with the message that friendships are integral to our being, but there was just a whole lot of unnecessary jargon that took away from the readability of this message. Also, I do feel like, increasingly, female friendships are given central importance as we get older, though it is true that the demands of family life can sometimes keep it in the periphery- I do not believe they have been wholly relegated to childhood.

My favourite book i have read this year so far. So beautifully written.

what a lovely book !!!! enjoyed it very deeply — in many way feels like an essay that has been inside of me for years. made even better by being recommended to me by two besties and getting to read their copy with all their notes ❤️ (huge love daisy and maya <3)

not a perfect 5 star rating because i wish it was longer lol

Beautifully written and compelling. Made me appreciate friendship more deeply and gave me a whole list of media to try. 

This is my second time reading a 404 Inklings book and I have to say I love the format. I'm not a big essay reader, but here, it's short, accessible, sweet and thought-provoking. Some interesting points were raised, like the physicality of female friendship, and I especially liked the last chapter. The pop culture references were also well chosen.

But I do wish the book would dig a bit deeper, as I'm not sure the "radical potential of female friendship" promise was really explored. Some examples and theories were raised but not always completely analyzed - though this essay format being so short, I suppose it's a bit harder.

I'm also curious to know if the author has written some fiction pieces, as the writing of little life moments in this book was truly beautiful and atmospherical.