Kate and Frida: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Books

Fay’s (Love and Saffron) latest is a story of connection, resilience, and the power of life’s small joys. Set in the early 1990s, the story unfolds through an exchange of letters between two women living worlds apart. Frida, an aspiring war journalist in Paris, dreams of covering the Bosnian War from the front lines. She reaches out to a Seattle bookstore in search of a particular book, where her request lands in the hands of Kate, a bookseller with a kindred spirit. What begins as a simple request grows into a deep and lasting friendship. Through their letters, the women share their hopes, struggles, and evolving perspectives over the years. Fay explores profound themes, showing how joy can (and must) coexist with tragedy. While the story touches on heavy topics such as war and genocide, it remains hopeful. Both women come to understand the importance of finding joy in even the smallest moments and are able to embrace life’s unpredictability with courage and optimism.