The New Lonely: Intimacy in the Age of Isolation by Ethan Renoe


The New Lonely: Intimacy in the Age of Isolation
Title : The New Lonely: Intimacy in the Age of Isolation
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1544073062
ISBN-10 : 9781544073064
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 213
Publication : Published March 19, 2017

In the past, people were lonely because there was no one around them. Prisoners, widows and orphans counted themselves among the ranks of the lonely because they were truly alone.Today, we are more connected than ever before. We love to go out and be with other people. Yet we are far lonelier than previous generations. There’s a postmodern ache in our bones which refuses to leave. It’s almost as if our notion of loneliness is a different animal altogether. Our loneliness is not rooted in a lack of people, but a lack of depth. We are good at distracting ourselves, and therefore lack peace whenever we are alone. And that right there, that’s the New Lonely. If you’ve ever felt similar pangs of isolation, you’re not alone. It’s kinda funny…we are The New Lonely.This book explores many of the factors which led to our generation becoming The New Lonely and offers some thoughts on how we can improve. It contains too many personal anecdotes to be a self-help book and too many sage maxims to be a memoir. Join Ethan as he walks us through what it means to be lonely…together.

The New Lonely: Intimacy in the Age of Isolation Reviews

  • Mallory Morgan

    It's hard to know where to begin in writing this review, as The New Lonely has so many good, timely, and relatable nuggets that I (even as I'm haphazardly scrolling through my notes on my phone to remember them all), am still trying to digest.

    There are so many pieces of Ethan's story (and his process of growing) that I find myself resonating with and am reasonably positive that any other 20-something year-old millenial would see themselves in. What contributes to our feelings of isolation? Our loneliness? What does true, healthy intimacy require? What coping mechanisms keep us from addressing our loneliness and wall us off from intimacy from others? These questions just scratch the surface of what Ethan dives into in TNL. I loved Ethan's multi-faceted take on the conversation. It was like seeing a singular room from different doors and windows - each chapter giving you a new perspective of the conversation (a new detail in the "room"), that you hadn't noticed before.

    His take on silence and solitude was refreshing (and helpful as I navigate healthy rhythms in the midst of quarantine), while his commentary on vulnerability and reconciliation with others was convicting. Ethan's reflections on the topic of loneliness left me feeling just the right amount of seen and understood while also leaving me challenged to dig deeper into my own heart about some things.

    Truly, there is something for everyone in these pages and it would be remiss of me if I didn't encourage you all to pick it up and give it a read.

  • Adrián De La Vega

    Gran libro.

    Aunque tiene muchos temas religiosos y que probablemente no serán del agrado de muchas personas, sus cuestionamientos e ideas acerca de la soledad moderna dan mucho para reflexionar.

    Ethan te llevará en un viaje para entender la soledad actual y el por qué al ser una sociedad altamente conectada por tecnología, somos los que más solitarios nos sentimos.

    Creo que todos nos hemos sentido así y mientras más rápido entendamos las razones, más rápido podremos combatirlo.

    Le pongo cuatro estrellas por el alto contenido religioso.

  • Razvan Stoian

    Great practical wisdom on modern loneliness and fun to read

    I enjoyed the author's writing style that made you feel like you're having a conversation with a wise friend, and learning some awesome nuggets of truth and perspective on such an important topic.