In the electric backdrop of 1980s New York, 'Veronica' beautifully interweaves the lives of two women from vastly different worlds. Alison, a once-rising model whose career deteriorates, delves into the underbelly of the city and meets Veronica, the quirky and sharp office temp with a distinct sense of style and an indomitable spirit. Their improbable friendship spans the extravagance and the hardships of the era, from the shimmering heights of fashion to the sobering emergence of AIDS. The novel dances between timelines, delving into themes of beauty, mortality, and the complex nature of human relationships, ultimately asking what remains after beauty fades and life's circumstances take cruel turns. Mary Gaitskill pens a poignant tale that examines the endurance of friendship and the indelible marks it leaves on us.