she needed me, a novel by walter kirn (1992)

    

 She Needed Me is a book about faith. Faith in god, religion, faith in others, and faith in yourself.

 I nodded, encouraged. "Faith is the answer." Kim said, "I meant in people, not God. God you don't have to have faith in: he's perfect."

Walter Kirn grabs the attention of the reader from the very beginning with a story of love, loss and acceptance. We meet the two main characters in the first chapter, Weaver and Kim. They become friends after going through a difficult experience together. Their relationship is complex and troubled, but they find a way to make peace with the fact that despite it all, they seem to have met at the right time in their lives. Although Weaver's personal beliefs are different from those of Kim, they learn from each other and bond in a remarkable way. They help one another build confidence, self esteem and overcome a few obstacles that seem to be holding them back. 

As the story continues, the love between Weaver and Kim grows. Weaver supports Kim with one of the biggest decisions of her adult life. He seems to go above and beyond to make her comfortable and content while sabotaging his own personal life and career. Many aspects and dynamics of relationships are addressed in this novel. Walter makes the characters feel like your old friends who you are rooting for in the background as you wait and watch the story unfold. He has a natural and easy style of writing that flows smoothly over the pages. The cast of characters Weaver and Kim interact with throughout the book seem to be chosen specifically to create subtle plot twists, intriguing dialogue, and to show us how our relationships with others overlap and intertwine. Thus, creating dynamics that can be sometimes less than ideal. Weaver struggles to navigate these courses and somehow manages to succeed in the end.

She Needed Me touches on topics and important matters from this specific time period that are still relevant to our current days. The influence of society, our peers, and pop culture will always be an area of debate. Religion and the talk of God has often been divisive. Walter is able to show us a world where people can get along despite their differences. He showcases the fact that people need each other, and that it's an honorable duty to be there when people need you.

Walter offers a slice of life that is honest and relatable. The reader is given the option, and opportunity, to cast judgment or to offer compassion for the hardships the characters endure. I think, after reading this book, you might learn something about yourself. Although the story is humble in words, it offers a connection that is genuine and timeless.