The other significant others Reimagining life with friendship at the center

Cohen invites readers into a thought-provoking exploration of unconventional partnerships, challenging societal norms surrounding friendships and romantic relationships. With interesting narratives and meticulous research, Cohen delves into the lives of individuals who have chosen friends as life partners, defying traditional expectations. The book's strength lies in dismantling preconceived notions about the defining features of partnership, showcasing platonic connections that are both freeing and challenging. Cohen's engaging writing style and the combination of firsthand accounts and social science research make for an enlightening read. This book serves as a powerful catalyst for readers to question societal norms and broaden their understanding of meaningful connections. Compelling storytelling and thorough investigation draw readers into an immersive exploration, prompting reflection on their own relationships and encouraging the challenge of preconceptions. This inspiring book disrupts traditional perspectives on relationships, making it a captivating read for those intrigued by alternative models and seeking a more expansive comprehension of a fulfilling life.

Cohen questions in her illuminating debut the notion "that a long-term monogamous romantic relationship is necessary for a normal, successful adulthood" and considers what a life that prioritizes "devoted" friendships might look like instead. Among others for whom friendship is "life's centerpiece," Cohen interviews Christian youth pastors Art and Nick, who weathered backlash from fellow church members who believed the two men were dating, and retirees Barb and Inez, who "found a mirror" in each other and serve as one another's de facto caretakers. According to Cohen, society is hard-pressed to understand friendships that in some ways supersede romantic relationships because they're a "provocation--unsettling the set of social tenets that circumscribe our intimate lives." It's partly this "unclassifiable" quality that lends friendship its unique power, however; without "a prewritten script to follow," people can construct their own friendship narratives, Cohen contends. Personal details from the author's own friendships enrich the work, and thoughtful analyses of the historical expectations of marriage and friendship underscore the subject's complexity. It's a smart and heartfelt testament to the power of social bonds outside "compulsory couplehood." (Feb.)