I didn't get around to reviewing this when I read it in September of last year, but I still think about it. Dixon is an original voice and I look forward to reading more from her.

In theory this book sounded right up my alley, but in practice it was a bit of a let down for me. I think I wanted more rigorous/substantial analysis, but I didn't feel like that was what I got. I also kept comparing this to Olivia Laing's Lonely City, which is a much stronger work and which is one of my favourites, and this paled in comparison. They're different books to be sure, but in terms of exploring loneliness, Laing's work is much stronger and memorable to me.

The essays in this book explore loneliness through the stories of real life women who died alone and were not discovered for some time. The author also examines her own loneliness during the days of COVID isolation. I appreciated these essays but felt sort of detached and don’t really think I am the best reader for these. I received a digital ARC through NetGalley.

Real life. Poetic. Very good read.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

The Loneliness Files was a quick read for me. It is beautifully written and raw. I often found myself re-reading sentences in these essays.

Each section of the book is distinct and offers something different. Part one for the true-crime lovers. Parts two and three for those who love to get inside people's minds, a look into their diaries. Personally, I enjoyed part three the most as Dixon reflects on returning home to a place that is no longer home and no longer looks, feels, or acts like home once did. I had a harder time getting through part one of this book as I'm not a true-crime fan and cringe at the descriptions of death. Part two fell short for me as I found myself feeling lost and confused in her storytelling.

Overall, it was a 3-star read. I would recommend this memoir for those who have struggled with loneliness and depression, particularly in the pandemic.

A big thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Loneliness Files is an innovative memoir tackling the topic of loneliness in some interesting ways. Several of the essays identify different women both real and fictional that Dixon finds herself relating to or fixating on. A woman died and was not discovered for three years and the author reflects on isolation and loneliness and compares herself to her. She also reflects on another women who dies at a supposedly haunted hotel. In fiction, she highlights the dual role that Lupita Nyong'o plays in Us and the duality she must maintain her life. Dixon also reflects on her dating life and what she wants in a relationship. At times I found this to be a bit unfocused- while the first part of the book appeared quite cohesive, I lost my way as the book continued and did not quite get what Dixon was trying to portray. I still appreciate the swing she took on this one- loneliness is a topic that could be explored more.

Thanks to Tin House for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

Gosh! This was such a well-needed read after the pandemic. It was very relatable and I appreciated the author's vulnerability.

How to explain this book, or rate it, or even talk about it? You know when something is so mind shattering that you immediately turn to all your loved ones and go “Here, I can’t explain this, you just have to feel it too”? That’s where I’m at with this book. Athena Dixon talks about loneliness and grief, connection and love, and the pain of it all with so much intricacy that I repeatedly put this book down and thought “Wow. Wow wow wow.”

Another thing I adored about this book was the inclusion of a mini playlist for each section. Songs that the author felt fit the mood or theme of the essays in that section. I love a mixed media moment and I love the inclusion of music every time.

This book is something special. It's also clear by the end that it is in some ways a memorial to her and the grief she has felt making this extremely vulnerable on top of everything else it has going on. This was really something and I am so grateful to have A.) found out about this book from Hanif Abdurraqib’s Instagram and B.) been given the opportunity to read this ARC (thanks Tin House!)

At approximately 30% of the way through my digital ARC, I pre-ordered a physical copy of The Loneliness Files. I've never read something that made me feel so seen, and I knew that I need to have these essays on hand forever to remind myself that someone gets it. Thank you, Ms. Dixon. Thank you so much.

Started really strong. Lost me toward the end. Great writing but the cohesion/through line didn’t always feel apparent.

A sharp and insightful set of essays, Athena Dixon explores depression, isolation, and disappearing, in these essays. They cover the acute phase of COVID, which was certainly a lonely period for many, but contextualizes them in a life of loneliness and disconnection.

This was vulnerable as hell, and with that, incredibly bold. Dixon bares her soul and feelings about being lonely, stepping back into the lowest, suicidal periods of her life. She looks at a series of cases in which women die, alone, and aren’t discovered till years later. She digs through family stories, and her own disappointments to examine the ways people are lonely, but above all, this is an intensely open set of essays from someone who admits to being lonely and living a life that didn’t work out the way she wanted to, and it was powerful, to write these things out loud.

Dixon also gives suggested songs to listen to in each section and it was brilliant, to get the tone of each part.

Together these essays speak about connection and the effect on relationships and belonging in the Covid and social media heavy world we live in.

As I was reading this book, all I could think about was how soon I could get a print copy so I could read it again, making notes and underlining Dixon's thoughtful, lyrical text. (And then read it again, more slowly.) This book resonated so strongly with me, as someone who is unmarried, childless, and living alone. Dixon thinks about technology, fandom, pop culture, women's roles, death and grief, legacy, interrupted/ended friendships, and so much more. I hope lots of readers will find this profound and moving book.

I stumbled onto this author via social media and have been following her work for a few years. This latest book attracted me because of its focus on the digital world and how it impacts our sense of connection to each other (or lack thereof). The book opens with the author looking at other women’s stories of loneliness that have appeared in the news. She looks as if into a mirror, trying to assess whether or not she sees herself in these women. From there, the author moves on to giving us a peek at her dating and professional life under the influence of social media, online dating, and the forced isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. I especially love her reflections on social media—its known downsides and her sometimes hesitant, other times enthusiastic participation. Her analysis of The Truman Show and the insights it offers into the way marketing works in today’s world made me want to watch the movie again. I also admire how she anchors herself and her narrative in her real-life community of family, which she remains connected to in spite of the distance and relentless passing of time. Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.