Sympathy

By Olivia Sudjic,

Book cover of Sympathy

Book description

THE DEBUT OF 2017THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT FROM ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING YOUNG BRITISH NOVELISTS

'A gripping odyssey into one woman's online-addled inner life' -- Independent

'Reads likeThe Talented Mr Ripley for the 21st century' --Vice UK

At twenty-three, AliceHare arrives in New York looking for a place…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Sympathy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Writing about the internet is notoriously difficult but Sudjic swings it, sublimely. Although ostensibly set between London and New York, Sympathy almost transcends setting with its focus on millennial Alice Hare’s online haunting of writer Mizuku Himura. After becoming infatuated with Mizuku over Instagram, Alice maneuvers an IRL friendship, which spirals into sexual obsession and possessiveness. It’s a brilliant character study and meditation on alienation, online personas, and the algorithmization of attraction. 

From Laura's list on badly behaved women.

Want books like Sympathy?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Sympathy.

Browse books like Sympathy

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in meditation, the United Kingdom, and New York City?

Meditation 274 books
The United Kingdom 581 books
New York City 1,118 books