Tag: Famous friendships past and present in real life and in fiction

In The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, each member of this foursome discovers a truth about themselves and the value of their friendship to conquer seemingly insurmountable odds. Who can forget their arm-in-arm journey down the yellow brick road? Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Oz mates Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy, and Lion on a mission of self-discovery

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

The musicians only met a handful of times and had opposite personalities; Lennon was public about his life whereas Dylan was private. Although Lennon was a big fan of Dylan (as were the other Beatles), the interest was almost completely one-sided. Yet, not long after Lennon’s death, Dylan wrote Roll on John. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Dylan and Lennon: A one-sided friendship but with mutual respect

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

U.S. “Founding Fathers” Adams and Jefferson were “founding frenemies.” Adams favored a strong central government; Jefferson championed states’ rights. Yet they enjoyed mutual respect and worked together for two decades until they both ran for president and stopped speaking to each other. They later reached a truce and died on the same day: July 4, 1826. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Adams and Jefferson: Political opposites united to create a new nation

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

The fictional friends in the Calvin and Hobbes Comics by Bill Waterson are what real childhood friends should be: a trusted companion, someone to hang out with, a pal to laugh with or complain to, the person who’s always there for you. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Calvin and Hobbes: Buddies content to just hang out together

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

Arthur Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, was a proper Scottish Victorian who believed in the supernatural. Houdini, a cynical Hungarian-American, was an escape artist who exposed mediums as frauds. Yet they became friends and toured together. They split when Doyle’s wife claimed to have made contact with Houdini’s late mother and reported many erroneous things about her. By 1923, the pair openly feuded in letters to The New York Times. Houdini wrote, “There is nothing that Sir Arthur will believe that surprises me.” Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Doyle’s belief and Houdini’s skepticism drove a wedge in their friendship

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

In the beloved books by A. A. Milne, honey-loving Pooh and small timid Piglet are best friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. In their adventures, Piglet conquers his fears and Pooh is forever loyal. The trust between them is an enduring mark of friendship. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Piglet and Winnie: One fearful and one rash, they find a happy compromise in friendship

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

Caesar and Pompey, Roman statesmen and generals, were childhood friends who became rivals. Their power struggle led to civil war. Pompey was assassinated in 48 B.C.E. and Caesar, the Empire’s self-appointed dictator, was assassinated in 44 B.C.E. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Caesar and Pompey: Roman generals and friends whose rivalry ended in two assassinations

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

These primary characters in the Archie Comics are best friends in an unbalanced relationship. Blonde, girl-next-door Betty is always there for Veronica. Raven-haired, wealthy Veronica can’t be counted on to reciprocate. They both have crushes on Archie but, reflecting the culture in which the comic strip arose, Veronica is likely to ditch her girlfriend for a boyfriend. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Betty and Veronica: Companionship and competition in one comic strip

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

Angelou and Baldwin met in Paris in the 1954, when she was touring Europe with Porgy and Bess (she played Ruby). Angelou said, “He furnished me with my first limousine ride, set the stage for me to write “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” and told me I was intelligent and very brave.” Both were committed to Black rights and culture; the friendship lasted throughout their lives. Read The Sister Knot about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. A compelling novel about the power of sisterhood. Learn more about the book in NOVELS.

Maya Angelou and James Baldwin encouraged each other’s authorship and activism

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship

My novel The Sister Knot (arrives April 2024) is about two resilient women, orphaned in WW2, who defy fate to sustain a lifelong friendship. To mark its publication, I am inaugurating a series of “Famous Friends” posts, presenting friendships, past and present, in real life and in fiction, that inform, entertain, and surprise us about these emotionally charged relationships. Read more about the book in NOVELS.

Friendship: Not always easy, but always essential

Two resilient women, two separate journeys, one lasting friendship