Writers & Lovers: Lily King

An extraordinary new novel of art, love, and ambition from Lily King, the New York Times bestselling author of Euphoria Writers & Lovers follows Casey—a smart and achingly vulnerable protagonist—in the last days of a long youth, a time when every element of her life comes to a crisis. Written with King’s trademark humor, heart, and intelligence, Writers & Lovers is a transfixing novel that explores the terrifying and exhilarating leap between the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another.

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Published Feb 4, 2021

324 pages

Average rating: 7.36

286 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Khris Sellin
Jul 05, 2024
10/10 stars
Another book I couldn't put down, although if I try to explain why or what this book is about, it won't sound that amazing. It's simply a relatable story about trying to get through everyday life, yet it's so much more than that.
shari wampler
Sep 04, 2025
10/10 stars
thenextgoodbook.com
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
324 pages

What’s it about?
Casey is in her early thirties and still struggling to finish her first novel. She waits tables in Harvard Square as she recovers from her mother's unexpected death and a brief love affair. She is burdened by grief, anxiety, and debt but she continues to try to write. "I liked reading, but I was picky about books. I think the enthusiasm came when I started writing. Then I understood how hard it is to re-create in words what you see and feel in your head."

What did it make me think about?
I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this book. This is a novel for those that love the written word. However it is also about so much more. "I squat there and think about how you get trained early on as a woman to perceive how others are perceiving you, at the great expense of what you yourself are feeling about them." So many small revelations- so much hope.

Should I read it?
The first novel I read by Lily King was "The Pleasing Hour" and I have not missed any of her books since. For some reason I have been putting this one off. Shame on me! I am sure "Writers & Lovers" has an autobiographical element to it, and for that reason alone I would love to get stuck in an elevator with Lily King one day!

Quote-
"Nearly every guy I've dated believed they should already be famous, believed that greatness was their destiny and they were already behind schedule. An early moment of intimacy often involved a confession of this sort: a childhood vision, teacher's prophesy, a genius IQ. At first, with my boyfriend in college, I believed it, too. Later, I thought I was just choosing delusional men. Now I understand it's how boys are raised to think, now they are lured into adulthood. I've met ambitious women, driven women, but no woman has ever told me that greatness was her destiny."

"I just nodded. I wish I had been awful to her that day. I wind I'd thrown my food and screamed vile things at her. I wish she'd dug all my feelings out of me. Maybe I'd be better at saying them now."

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The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
caileytebow
Apr 29, 2025
7/10 stars
progressively got better and better, i liked her realism a lot
julietreads
Aug 30, 2023
8/10 stars
“This is not nothing.”

I love a good read about grief and passion. I wasn’t prepared for how close to home this would hit.
ginge
Jul 19, 2023
9/10 stars
Ich mag die realistischen, irgendwie komischen Charaktere die auch Fehler machen und weird sind aber trotzdem und deswegen sympathisch, ich liebe das Cover und ich mochte die Geschichte und den Namen Silas <3

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