Wherever two people meet in the world, there's always the possibility of friendship. But Khaddari describes what it actually is and the precise conditions that apply in this beautiful and courageous book, giving the reader a glimpse into her mind and heart. Sinan Can, journalist and programme maker

A quest to understand how friendship works (or doesn't work)

"I don't want the pressure of this friendship. Lots of love." With these words, journalist Raounak Khaddari ended a friendship via WhatsApp. Since then, she's struggled with friendships and how to be a good friend herself. This led to a quest to understand this most underrated form of relationship.

Drawing on philosophy, science, history, and the personal stories of various people, she discovers why friendships are essential. Along the way, she finds answers to questions like: How do you maintain friendships? Why are friends becoming increasingly important in our modern lives? And is it wise to make a friendship as explicit as Khaddari did, or would she have done so differently with the knowledge she has now?