{"title":"Stephanie Wambugu","description":"\u003cp\u003eStephanie Wambugu’s works invite readers into richly imagined worlds where friendships and human connections are delicately explored. With a keen eye for emotional depth, her storytelling blends heartfelt moments with subtle reflections on belonging and identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for lovers of \u003cem\u003egeneral fiction\u003c\/em\u003e that investigates the complexities of everyday life, her novels often illuminate the quiet struggles and triumphs within seemingly ordinary circumstances, offering a thoughtful and engaging reading experience.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lonely-crowds-by-stephanie-wambugu-9781837266432","title":"Lonely Crowds","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuth'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLonely Crowds\u003c\/em\u003e by Stephanie Wambugu captures the complexity of friendship against the backdrop of ambition and art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47548196323564,"sku":"9781837266432","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/e3fb12173e2c8203a20632d63db587be.jpg?v=1776908695"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/stephanie-wambugu.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}