# Good Grief

By Lolly Winston

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/good-grief-7848614d/

After her husband dies, Sophie Stanton struggles to get through a day at her public relations job. She leaves California to start over near a friend in Ashland, Oregon. There she gets to know Crystal, a teenager who could use someone in her corner.

## What makes it funny?

At a grief group, everyone around Sophie is in tears. She sits dry-eyed and reckons a grief counselor must look forward to tears the way an orthodontist looks forward to straight teeth.

### The comedy at work

Sophie wants to look as composed as Jackie Kennedy. Inside her head, she’s writing titles for grief manuals and translating a look from her boss into an elaborate threat involving a desk drawer. Her private narration gives her room to be flippant even when everyone expects her to hold it together.

### Try this if…

There’s a lot here for readers who like stories about people who find unexpected company after a loss. Sophie’s friendship with Crystal makes room for the troubles of a teenager and a woman in her thirties.

### Good to know

The novel deals with the death of a spouse from cancer and includes a teenager who self-harms.

## What to expect

- Genre: Contemporary
- Kind of humor: Dark comedy · Dry wit
- The atmosphere: Warmhearted
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2004

## A few distinguishing details

- Bunny slippers at the office

## Sources & further reading

- Reading sample: [Chapter one excerpt](https://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/good-grief/excerpt)
- Library catalog: [Open Library edition records](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5729390W/Good_Grief?edition=goodgriefnovel00wins)
- Publisher: [Grand Central trade paperback](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lolly-winston/good-grief/9780446694841)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lolly-winston/good-grief)