The Lonely Hunter

The Lonely Hunter explores the rise of singledom, the realities of loneliness, and whether it is possible to live contentedly alone.

"So what's going on in your love life?" An innocent question at a dinner party prompted Aimee Lutkin to finally tell the truth; it was six years since her last relationship, and she suspected it would be better to accept the life she had—a life she liked very much—rather than keep searching. But Lutkin's answer was met with uproar; surely she couldn't give up on love? So she threw herself into dating, going on two dates every week.

Documenting her experiences, Lutkin explores the reality of sexual relationships today and reveals how the cultural messages we receive shape our expectations of love. From weird Tinder hookups to the way the "self care" industry capitalises on our fear of being alone, to the complexities of queer dating and the truth about the "loneliness epidemic", she uses her experiences to fearlessly tell a wider story about how we love now.

'In unflinching, honest prose that deftly weaves sociological and cultural analysis with her personal journey, The Lonely Hunter challenged everything I assumed about the nature of loneliness and what it means to lead an authentic life ... A deeply relatable story that will resonate with readers, lonely or not.'
-Doree Shafrir, author of Thanks for Waiting and Startup

'At once heartbreaking and deeply funny, Lutkin's The Lonely Hunter captures the essence of seemingly endless singlehood in a world built for couples. As vulnerable as she is illuminative, Lutkin achieves what so many of us singles are looking for—she makes us feel less alone.'
-Rebecca Fishbein, author of Good Things Happen to People You Hate

'An insightful and thorough investigation into one woman's loneliness and the systemic ways we're all becoming less connected ... It might seem like a depressing topic, but I laughed so hard and learned so much.'
-Blythe Roberson, author of How to Date Men When You Hate Men