Tell the Wolves I'm Home

Carol Rifka Brunt's one and only book marked the beginning of my fascination with love stories centred around grief or loss, such as [b:The Song of Achilles 13623848 The Song of Achilles Madeline Miller https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1357177533l/13623848.SY75.jpg 16176791] or [b:Atonement 6867 Atonement Ian McEwan https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320449708l/6867.SY75.jpg 2307233]. I still question why grief resonates with me so deeply. In this book, 14-year-old June adores her gay uncle, Finn Weiss, seeing him as her sole companion. He serves as her godfather, confidant, and closest friend until he succumbs to AIDS. June later falls for Finn's boyfriend, Toby, who also tragically passes away. It's a tale of isolated individuals pushing each other away, only to realise the depth of their loneliness and reunite. While many coming-of-age novels depict protagonists as young, lost, and confused, few delve as boldly and honestly into these themes as this one does. Readers will keenly feel June's confusion, loss, and resilience.