Good Grief

‘The most life-affirming book ever written about death.’ Sandi Toksvig

‘One of the most powerful and helpful books about grief that you will ever read.’ Anita Anand

‘Grief is more than the price of love. It is love. We must learn not just to live with it, but to make it welcome.’

Catherine Mayer and her mother Anne Mayer Bird were widowed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is their story of supporting each other through whirling grief, ‘sadmin’ and the darkest of times, as they learn to embrace life again.

Now updated with brand new chapters, Good Grief is an essential companion for loss and a testimony to enduring love. Spiked with wry humour, it is an uplifting, moving and unexpectedly joyous read.

‘Smart, upbeat and brimming with fortitude’ Observer

‘One of the saddest things I've ever read but also the most powerful. It's made me want to cling tight to the people I love while acknowledging their mortality and mine too.’ Marian Keyes

Reviews

‘One of the saddest things I've ever read but also the most powerful. It's made me want to cling tight to the people I love while acknowledging their mortality and mine too.’ Marian Keyes

‘The most life-affirming book ever written about death.’ Sandi Toksvig

‘One of the most powerful and helpful books about grief that you will ever read.’ Anita Anand

‘A perfect book, specific and personal, but spot on about the universal nature of grief and how we grieve. Every page sings and, though often heart-breaking, it's genuinely an utter pleasure to read.’ Kate Mosse

‘Every life has a start, a middle and an end. Everyone prepares for the first two events, but are we doing what we can to prepare for the end? Catherine and Anne generously share their experience of widowhood knowing that they can help others prepare and cope with grief. An important book on a very important subject.’ June Sarpong

‘Fantastic book, full of beautiful honesty’ Rio Ferdinand

‘Smart, upbeat and brimming with fortitude’ Observer

‘Exceptionally insightful . . . would be very helpful to anyone who has lost someone dear – or who knows someone who has. Which is all of us.’ Maggie Alderson for the Lady

‘A powerful read’ Bella

‘A celebration of life’ i

About the author

Catherine Mayer is a bestselling author, award-winning journalist and co-founder of the Women’s Equality Party and Primadonna Festival.

Anne Mayer Bird is an arts publicist, who has worked across many art forms and at institutions including The Place, Opera North, The National Theatre, The Young Vic, The Philharmonia Orchestra and The Royal Court Theatre. She serves on the boards of two theatres.