For Rouenna

From the National Book Award-winning author of The Friend, this novel explores the intertwined lives of women connected by their pasts, war, and friendship. When a writer receives a letter from an old acquaintance recalling their childhood, it sparks a complex reflection on identity, memory, and trauma, particularly surrounding the soldier’s experience in Vietnam. After her friend's death, the narrator feels compelled to uncover and write her story, revealing profound truths about war and human resilience. Critics praise its lyrical writing and poignant exploration of remembrance, making it a compelling meditation on the meaning of life and sacrifice.