Book Review: "Good Grief" by Lollie Winston

By Amanda Linsmeier
Good Grief (Grand Central Publishing, 2007) the debut novel by Lollie Winston, is amazing. The novel begins at a grief meeting where Sophie Stanton is just one of many in the group. At just 36, Sophie is a widow after just three years of marriage. Her husband Ethan died three months ago of cancer. Sophie is trying desperately to deal with her loss but doesn’t know how to cope. She is falling behind at work, eating everything in sight, hiding out in her house and avoiding friends and family. Sophie has a complete breakdown one day, even showing up to work in her bathrobe and slippers, greasy hair and all. At the suggestion of her friend Ruth, Sophie decides to move. She sells her house, the one she shared with Ethan, quits her job in public relations and moves to Oregon. Unable to let go of Ethan, Sophie brings with her not only memories, anger and guilt but also boxes of his belongings.

Once in Ashland, Oregon, Sophie signs up to become a Big Sister. The agency places her with Crystal, a 13-year old pyromaniac with a penchant towards cutting. Crystal swears, sasses the adults in her life and smokes Marlboros. Sophie doesn’t know if she can handle Crystal when she can barely handle herself. Determined to make a difference in this young girl’s life, Sophie sticks with her. The more she helps Crystal, the better she feels. Sophie quits her job at a restaurant and opens her own bakery. As the one year anniversary of Ethan’s death looms closer, Sophie’s life is bustling with many hopes and promises; her heart full of questions. From feeling like she couldn’t fall any lower to reaching for the stars, Sophie has to deal with not only grief but her own business, difficulties with her family and friends and possibly love.

Good Grief is a wonderful story. The book is sad, funny and honest. I cried, I laughed and I ached right along with Sophie. It was beautifully written with plenty of wit and sincerity. I felt deeply for the characters in the novel and was so proud of Sophie for rebuilding her life and showing that type of courage. Good Grief was a novel I won’t ever forget.