The quote expresses the deep connection the speaker has with a book, likening the act of putting it down to the painful separation from a long-standing friendship. It highlights the strong emotional bond that literature can evoke, serving as a refuge and comfort for the reader. The book represents familiarity and understanding, making the transition away from it feel abrupt and disheartening.

By comparing the experience of leaving the book to losing a cherished friend, the speaker illustrates the profound impact that stories and characters can have on an individual's life. The act of reading becomes a source of solace, and the struggle to part from it signifies the power of narrative to foster connections and provide insight into one's own existence.