What do you think?
Rate this book
The Intimates
*A NEW WRITING NORTH MUST READ TITLE*
`Excellently paced, insightfully created, and with moments of genuine genius, The Intimates is an opulently written, high concept piece which explores the psychology of human relationships. Mankowski has a timeless style- highly polished and brilliantly evocative.' --A.J. Kirby, reviewer for The New York Journal of Books.
'A clever conceit and a compelling narrative.' --Edward Stourton, BBC Radio 4.
`The Intimates is a measured, literary piece of work as hauntingly evocative of its setting and characters as Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer prize winner Housekeeping.' --Abigail Tarttelin, bestselling author of Golden Boy.
`Excellently paced, insightfully created, and with moments of genuine genius, The Intimates is an opulently written, high concept piece which explores the psychology of human relationships. Mankowski has a timeless style- highly polished and brilliantly evocative.' --A.J. Kirby, reviewer for The New York Journal of Books.
'A clever conceit and a compelling narrative.' --Edward Stourton, BBC Radio 4.
`The Intimates is a measured, literary piece of work as hauntingly evocative of its setting and characters as Marilynne Robinson's Pulitzer prize winner Housekeeping.' --Abigail Tarttelin, bestselling author of Golden Boy.
196 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Guy Mankowski
13 books40 followersGuy Mankowski's biography of Kristen Pfaff from Hole is now available for subscribers at https://iknowhowtolive.substack.com/
The biography No Treble magazined described as 'long awaited'- which Substack certified as a 'bestseller' in February 2025 (a top 30 'Rising in Music Substack) follows volume one of two about Pfaff's life (taking the reader up to her joining Hole). Subscribers to the Substack are also hearing on there unheard songs by Pfaff, excerpts from her journal recordings, unseen photos from her time at the heart of the alt-rock music scene and other media. John Robb (the first journalist to interview Nirvana) said 'This book ultimately places Kristen back in the deserved centre of the narrative.’
Jane Savidge said of it, ‘Mankowski’s brilliant retelling of the extraordinary life of Kristen Pfaff- one of the most important players in the Seattle / Sub Pop scene- is a timely reminder that sometimes the heroes don’t always win and the truth is out there if you look hard enough.’
Mankowski is a Senior Lecturer at Lincoln University, and his agent is Matthew Hamilton at The Hamilton Agency.
The biography No Treble magazined described as 'long awaited'- which Substack certified as a 'bestseller' in February 2025 (a top 30 'Rising in Music Substack) follows volume one of two about Pfaff's life (taking the reader up to her joining Hole). Subscribers to the Substack are also hearing on there unheard songs by Pfaff, excerpts from her journal recordings, unseen photos from her time at the heart of the alt-rock music scene and other media. John Robb (the first journalist to interview Nirvana) said 'This book ultimately places Kristen back in the deserved centre of the narrative.’
Jane Savidge said of it, ‘Mankowski’s brilliant retelling of the extraordinary life of Kristen Pfaff- one of the most important players in the Seattle / Sub Pop scene- is a timely reminder that sometimes the heroes don’t always win and the truth is out there if you look hard enough.’
Mankowski is a Senior Lecturer at Lincoln University, and his agent is Matthew Hamilton at The Hamilton Agency.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 24, 2012
This book was mentioned by a bookclub friend whose recommendations I eagerly receive. I enjoyed it and would have liked to have given it 3.5 stars. Wavering between 3 and 4, I decided to drop my rating as I felt the story line which started off so promisingly was underdeveloped and left me feeling disappointed. The premise of 8 friends getting together at a huge country house with alcohol and disturbing secrets swirling in equal measure was a good one but I felt the opportunity for a great book was lost with a luke warm ending that focused only on two characters.
September 27, 2016
Like many debut novel's this offers a wealth of ideas the author has surely built up over many years, and though I would have liked to have seen some played out even more I was captivated by the book and read it it one sitting. The flitting between the past and present tense and the themes of decay, ambition and intimacy are deftly handled. I'll be looking out for more work from this talented writer.
October 9, 2014
This novel is one that F Scott Fitgerald should have written. A tale of friendships lost and found; desire and ambition truncated. It has the literary heft of Graham Greene's best emotional triumphs. I've read it twice and recommend you do the same.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews