The bond of friendship

Find your people in a world full of chaos and solitude

The epidemic of loneliness in our world is unequivocally fuelled by a culture that prioritises romantic relationships over platonic ones. Yet, science proves that friendships are the key (if not the most important one) to our happiness, contentment, and health. But how do you find and keep such good friends?

With the help of modern science and attachment theory, Dr Marisa G. Franco will show you how we form bonds with friends and what we sometimes do wrong. In her book, Platonic, she uses the latest scientific findings and practical experience – she offers a diverse range of examples of people, which she uses to illustrate specific advice, practical tips, and ways to improve both the number and quality of your relationships.

You will learn, for example:

why friendship shouldn't just play second fiddle to a romantic relationship, why you must first get to know yourself when looking for friends, how to recognise your attachment style and how to work with it, how to stop seeing vulnerability as a weakness, how not to be controlled by social anxiety, how to nurture friendships and show affection, how to see the difference between generosity and people-pleasing, how to resolve conflicts in a healthy way and when it is simply better to say goodbye and go your own way.