Marina and Holly s childhood friendship evolves into a toxic relationship when they grow up, but they still remain close because even when they re hurting each other, there s no one else they d rather hurt. Ever had a friend like that? Although Marina is more neurotic and Holly is more the victim, maybe it s because they like it that way. If Holly knew the whole story of how Marina betrays her, she d be devastated but then, of course, she doesn t. Me Without You has a bracing truth that s refreshing after the phoniness of female-bonding pictures like Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. It doesn t mindlessly celebrate female friendship, but looks at it with a level gaze. If Holly and Marina remain friends despite everything well, maybe it would be a shame to throw away all that history.