The Geography

of Loneliness

“Sometimes we don’t know where we’re going until we arrive. Such is the case for the women in Ren Barrie’s novel, The Geography of Loneliness. Each character has her story, and each will touch you as Barrie delicately portrays lives lived amidst loneliness and the desire for connection. I celebrate the glorious ending of this masterfully plotted book.”

—Lee Martin, author of the Pulitzer Prize Finalist, The Bright Forever

“A story so engaging that it is only later that the reader realizes the ancient lesson: people striving to fill a need in another’s life fill a need in their own.”

—Jacquelyn Mitchard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 23 books

“This debut marks Ren Barrie as a natural storyteller. With sensitive attention to our deepest human need for love and connection, The Geography of Loneliness explores the truest meaning of community. Barrie’s writing is warm, compassionate, and genuine. Each character feels like a sister, an aunt, a friend—a part of myself. There is healing in these words for all of us. I absolutely fell in love with this novel!”

—Diane Les Becquets, National Best-Selling Author of Where the Water Meets the Sky

“With warm, compassionate prose, The Geography of Loneliness asks a beautiful and timely question: What if the people we need are already all around us, and we simply haven’t learned how to find one another? A hopeful, moving story about the unexpected connections that can turn loneliness into belonging.”

—Ann Garvin, USA Today Bestselling Author of I Thought You Said This Would Work

Art by Danielle Klebes