No, I'm not stealing Charlie Brown's catch phrase. That's the title of this week's review selection: Good Grief, by Lolly Winston. (2004 Warner Books)
If you liked P.S. I Love You, then you'll like this novel, too. I came by this book via the post-Christmas deep markdowns at B&N.com last year, and yes - just got around to reading it. Sophie Stanton is recently widowed after battling cancer with her husband and suffering the ultimate loss. The first-person, present point of view plants us front and center as she tries to cope - and at times fails. Instead of a steady uphill climb, Sophie suffers a more realistic up-and-down (and for a while just down down down) ride through grief. While many of the things she goes through are awful, all are realistic and I rooted for her all the way. Her marriage was by no means perfect, which we see as she spends time resenting Ethan's dedication to his job. I cried and cried when she remembered the last time she and Ethan made love (and they knew it was the last time...). When she relocates and joins the Big Sisters program, and tries her hand at a new career, she meets other people whose lives are even more messed up than hers.
I'd rate Good Grief a
Keeper. You won't regret either time or money spent with this book. It has a permanent spot on your shelf. Lend it carefully to that trustworthy "inner circle" of reader friends. Put the author on your To Be Read list.
Autumn Piper
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