Marissa the rag doll has lived snuggled between the roots of an old oak tree for so long she has become a forest spirit. Her face and body have turned green. Her ears are now pointed like leaves. Her hair looks like a tangle of vines with purple berries. One day, children having a picnic discover her. Marissa surprises them by speaking. She offers to tell them her life story. Magical things begin to happen.

The internet, social media platforms, and digital technology all seem to point to a world of greater interconnectivity and social connection. Yet even against this background of global social networks, loneliness remains a major issue for millions of individuals, and one with tangible consequences: studies have demonstrated that loneliness correlates with to an increased risk of mental illnesses, as well as a 45% increased risk of death.In Loneliness: Science and Practice, experts ...