Lonely Crowds by Stephanie Wambugu ’20 Reviewed in Several Publications
Stephanie Wambugu ’20.
Lonely Crowds by Stephanie Wambugu ’20 has been widely reviewed in several prominent publications including the New York Times, the Boston Globe, NYMag, and the Atlantic. Wambugu earned ber BA in Written Arts at Bard and Lonely Crowds, her debut novel, was released in late July. It follows the friendship of Ruth and Maria, two girls at Catholic school in New England, and their post-college life in 1990s New York City. As they both try to become artists, the novel explores the pressures of money and romance on their different life paths.
In her positive review, Lauren Christensen writes for the New York Times that “it’s the specificity of [Ruth]’s mind, the contours with which she draws the characters and environments around her, that make Lonely Crowds exceptional.” Interviewing Wambugu for Bustle, Greta Rainbow writes “At every turn, Wambugu upends conventions of class, race, and gender, pushing the female friendship story into secret corners where we must face our own shameful proclivities.”
Post Date: 08-05-2025
In her positive review, Lauren Christensen writes for the New York Times that “it’s the specificity of [Ruth]’s mind, the contours with which she draws the characters and environments around her, that make Lonely Crowds exceptional.” Interviewing Wambugu for Bustle, Greta Rainbow writes “At every turn, Wambugu upends conventions of class, race, and gender, pushing the female friendship story into secret corners where we must face our own shameful proclivities.”
Post Date: 08-05-2025