Among Friends

Among Friends by Hal Ebbott

Among Friends by debut author Hal Ebbott is a riveting literary novel of betrayal, class, and the fragile architecture of long-standing friendships—praised by some of the greatest voices in modern literature.

“Exquisitely crafted.” —John Irving
“Masterly… This is a writer to watch.” —John Banville
“Every sentence keeps you hanging in the air, waiting for the next punch to the gut.” —Miranda Cowley Heller
“It’s no small accomplishment for a first novel, or for any novel.” —Richard Ford

At a picturesque country house in upstate New York, two families reunite to celebrate a 52nd birthday. Lifelong friends, they’ve weathered decades of shared vacations, teenage milestones, and marriage rituals. On the surface, their bonds appear unshakable—but beneath the comfort and routine lies a network of simmering tensions.

Over one autumn weekend, a subtle shift in the atmosphere sets off a chain reaction of envy, betrayal, and revelation. What begins as celebration devolves into chaos, exposing deep emotional fault lines and reshaping the relationships that once defined them.

Written with molten precision and hypnotic elegance, Among Friends is a stunning debut novel that examines the complex inner lives of families and the invisible forces—power, resentment, class, desire—that shape our most intimate relationships.

Perfect for fans of Ian McEwan, Meg Wolitzer, and Claire Messud, this novel is an unforgettable exploration of the line between closeness and collapse.