The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories

She is and would have been a phenomenal author! A couple of the essays were a bit boring for my taste but Marina was so very talented. It's just so horrible she died so young and so tragically. May her family take comfort in that we are now all able to enjoy and appreciate her talented work.

Short and to the point: her writing is well structured, not boring, but not playful. It's that straightforward concise writing, almost like a conversation with an intelligent person about something seemingly mundane and then BAM! they say something profound that connects everything in the world to that moment. Marina freezes time.

Heartbreaking and encouraging. Marina was an inspiration. This should be required reading for all young students. In a world of small minds this young woman stood tall. Put all your imagined problems aside and read this book.

I happened across this book but didn't purchase it because I hate hardcover books, but told myself if I still wanted it the next day I'd go ahead and buy it. Something was urging me to pick it up, so I did, and I am so glad I did. Keegan was a master of prose considering how young she was, her words are concise and yet still elegant. Her stories and nonfiction are so pertinent to our generation and is a breath of fresh air beyond the Instagram, tumblr, and selfie obsessed populace that is so prevalent among us. These works will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think no matter what age you are. Also, the introduction is beautiful. A spectacular read.

i'm almost finished with the fictional stories. the first 2 i enjoyed. other ones i may need to re-read to see if my opinion has changed. i really only bought this because i like the main essay that she got noticed for. thus far i'm not disappointed.

I rarely write reviews... because let's be honest... there are 368 reviews already... that's plenty... but in the chance you stumble upon mine... let me say I RARELY am so moved by a book as I was by this work. It's devastating to me that we'll never know what Marina was capable of... and for that reason... this book is right up on my bookshelf (metaphorically- I got the Kindle edition) next to Drinking: A Love Story, but another amazing essayist Caroline Knapp. There's something for everyone- fiction, non-fiction, and I was genuinely surprised there wasn't a dud in the bunch. Even the best writers have collections that could have shed some dead weight. I am consoled by the fact that Marina's work lives on and has gotten the attention it deserves so that her family will know she did reach her potential- albeit in a slightly different way.

great short stories and essays by a promising writer whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident . Contemporary,Imaginative, funny, and poignant, Keegan best captures the angst, ambiguities and the heartbreak involved in relationships among characters who are emblematic of her generation.

Marina Keegan is a writing talent gone way too soon. The Opposite of Loneliness is a creation of poignant, superbly written short stories, by a voice wise beyond her years. I would have loved to watch this young lady's literary career flourish.

I read "The Opposite of Loneliness" two years ago when it went viral following Marina's death. It was the first piece of writing in a long time that I could completely relate to, and it remains the only piece of writing I have come across that, in my mind, perfectly captures the thoughts of soon-to-be or recent college graduates who are beginning to realize what lies ahead.

Based on how well Marina wrote that piece, I assumed the rest of her writing would be equally enjoyable and decided to purchase this book. That assumption was correct. Following "The Opposite of Loneliness", which is the opening piece, the book is split into two sections: fiction and non-fiction. While her fictional pieces are good, her non-fictional pieces are even better. What was apparent throughout the entire book, however, was Marina's talent in developing and describing characters' emotions, regardless of whether they were real or not. There were multiple instances where I completely forgot I was reading fictional stories with fictional characters. The non-fictional pieces demonstrate Marina's ability to write openly about herself. I especially enjoyed the pieces on her gluten intolerance and her first car. In both instances she did an outstanding job of guiding the reader through the evolution of her outlook on each topic.

Death, while natural and inevitable, is tragic. The death of any young person is especially tragic, and it is incredibly unfortunate that the world lost someone who was so obviously gifted.

No words can adequately describe how truly wonderful this book is, Marina had a gift. It is the best book of short stories I have ever read, or will ever read. The story about the whales is so poignant, honest, and beautiful, one of my favorites of the bunch, and I think about it all the time. As someone post college in my late 20s I can relate to it on so many levels but it also such an important book to gift to ones going into college or in college. Life doesn't stop after college, but there is that something that does end, and it really makes you appreciate it all the more.

As a recent college grad, this book is relatable and touching. Marine's voice is smart, curious, and humble. So many books or stories try and be something it's not. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone of all ages!