Lonely Crowds
Stephanie Wambugu
Apr 2026 · Canongate Books · Narrated by Shayna Small
headphones
Audiobook
9 hr 48 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
Want a free 59 min sample? Listen anytime, even offline.
Add
About this audiobook
Ruth’s life changes the day she stands in line with her mother to buy a new school uniform – and sees another girl and her aunt turned away, unable to afford one. The girl, Maria, meets Ruth’s stare without shame, and from that moment, Ruth can’t stop thinking about her.
When school begins, and they turn out to be the only two girls attending on scholarship, Ruth musters the courage to introduce herself. A friendship forms – not by choice, but by something stronger. Ruth is drawn into Maria’s orbit, always circling: never too close, never quite able to pull away.
As they grow up like sisters, attend the same college, and eventually move to 1990s New York to chase dreams in the art world, the bond between them begins to buckle under the weight of ambition and rivalry. Their lives continue to converge and diverge – until they meet in one final and momentous confrontation.
When school begins, and they turn out to be the only two girls attending on scholarship, Ruth musters the courage to introduce herself. A friendship forms – not by choice, but by something stronger. Ruth is drawn into Maria’s orbit, always circling: never too close, never quite able to pull away.
As they grow up like sisters, attend the same college, and eventually move to 1990s New York to chase dreams in the art world, the bond between them begins to buckle under the weight of ambition and rivalry. Their lives continue to converge and diverge – until they meet in one final and momentous confrontation.
Ruth’s life changes the day she stands in line with her mother to buy a new school uniform – and sees another girl and her aunt turned away, unable to afford one. The girl, Maria, meets Ruth’s stare without shame, and from that moment, Ruth can’t stop thinking about her.
When school begins, and ...
Discover more
About the author
Stephanie Wambugu was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1998 and grew up in Rhode Island. While completing her MFA at Columbia University, she also worked as a bookseller. She continues to live and work in NYC and is an editor of Joyland Magazine. Lonely Crowds is her first novel.
@stephanienjeriwambugu | stephanienjeriwambugu.com
@stephanienjeriwambugu | stephanienjeriwambugu.com
Stephanie Wambugu was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1998 and grew up in Rhode Island. While completing her MFA at Columbia University, she also worked as a bookseller. She continues to live and work in NYC and is an editor of Joyland Magazine. Lonely Crowds is her first novel.
@stephanienjeriwambug...
Rate this audiobook
Tell us what you think.
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
