A brilliantly funny and heartwarming debut about a young woman who stumbles,then fights to build a new life after the death of her husband.Lolly Winston has written an astonishing first novel. In Good Grief she takes a sad situation and artfully finds the humor and pathos to make readers smile and break their hearts at the same time.
Geneve M. (Geneve) from LAFAYETTE, OR wrote on 10/3/2008...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a long book. Not in page number, though it has delightful heft, but the density was amazing. I would read a few pages, put it down to digest -laughing or sniffling, and sometimes in equal measure at the same time- and come back an hour later for another hit.
Sophie is so real, and crystal perhaps even more so in her own abrasive, slightly damaged way. I loved Ethan's progression in Sophie's mind, from the personification of loss, to a saint, and then gradually toward the end, back to a real person who she still loves.
I'd be very interesting to reread it in a decade or so, and see if I have the same impressions. I get the feeling it'll be a bit different.
Enjoy!
Michelle L. (inkandquill) from PALATINE, IL wrote on 2/19/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Delightful! A very real look at the life of a young widow seeking a sense of peace (and self) following the death of her husband. How Sophie deals with the grief process is at turns heartbreaking and hilarious as she tries to make a new life for herself, diving headlong into a new hometown, a new career, and a new love life.
Whitney B. (grammarchick) from INDEPENDENCE, MO wrote on 11/7/2006...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm torn - on one hand, this book made me cry and hug my husband a lot. He is still trying to figure that one out LOL. On the other, I did find the last few chapters kind of rushed and almost too 'easy' compared to the rest of the story. It seemed like one person wrote the first half (great) and the second half (ehh).
Sandra F. (matsmom) from MONTGOMERY, AL wrote on 6/5/2006...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really loved this book. Lolly Winston has successfully captured the emotions of a young widow in her 30's. Sophie is an endearing character and she not only makes you want her to find happiness, she also makes you wish you could become her friend. As much as she loved and missed her deceased husband, I kept feeling that he really wasn't good enough for her because of his distracted workaholic personality. On the other hand, it was easy to see she was a match for the actor she began dating when she discovered he kept books in his dishwasher. Now that is a man who could identify with a woman who went to work in her pajamas and bunny slippers shortly after her husband died. Read this book and I promise you will love Sophie's story.
Meranda P. (Meranda) from KYLE, TX wrote on 11/21/2005...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really liked this book; it's about a woman coping with the death of her husband and going through the stages of grief (tells of how she went to work in her bathrobe and bunny slippers) - not a sad or tear jerker book, has moments of hilarity.
Melanie T. (MandMsMom) from STAMFORD, CT wrote on 11/7/2005...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thought this was a lovely story of handling grief and starting over. It's amazing how we find healing in the most unlikely places with the most unlikely people. At times Sophie's life seemed a comedy of errors but I thought that her story was compelling and ultimately very touching. I thought the ending was full of possibilities.
Elle S. (ElleS) from VALLEY STREAM, NY wrote on 10/3/2005...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a story about a women's whose husband dies, and how she comes back to "life" herself.
It is not depressing at all! It is excellent!
Ellen
Crystal W. (cubbyvet) from CORNWALL, NY wrote on 6/24/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was an easy read (read itg in 2 days). There are a few characters to sympathize with ()mine was Crystal). It's a good story and flows well. I think she left room for a sequel if she wants at the end though. Overall, worth a read.
Allison M. (tomali1) from FRESNO, CA wrote on 5/6/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Oh this is a ter-jerker! Beautifully written.
Sue E. (Susanaque) from OWATONNA, MN wrote on 4/22/2007...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An excellent book about a woman whose husband dies. She goes through alot of grief and depression. It took awhile, but she finally relocates, friends some new friends, another job and love. A funny look at being a widow.
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Michelle S. (saphyreskyes) from REDMOND, OR wrote on 10/22/2008...
Another story of an overcomer, this one having lost her husband at a young age and, with him, all of her hopes and dreams. How does one go on with life after such tragedy? Can one dare to try for triumph? Or is mediocrity the highest possible goal?
This book will have you laughing through your tears.
Colleen R. (rainbowbrite98) from BRIDGEPORT, MI wrote on 10/18/2008...
Great book, but sad. If you don't feel like crying, pick up another book. It made me appreciate everyone in my life a bit more.
Melissa C. (Lissa) from WHITINSVILLE, MA wrote on 8/31/2008...