Super Short Summary

T.C. Boyle’s A Friend of the Earth follows Tyrone "Ty" O'Shaughnessy Tierwater, an environmental activist, in two alternating timeframes. In the 1990s, Ty and his family become deeply involved in radical eco-activism, paying a high personal cost. By 2025, Ty is a disillusioned elderly man working as a groundskeeper amidst widespread environmental collapse and reflecting on his efforts and losses. The narrative portrays the severe effects of environmental degradation and the personal struggles of those fighting to prevent it. Topics include environmental collapse, death, and imprisonment.