Catherine Mayer and her mother, Anne Mayer Bird, lost their beloved husbands just 41 days apart on the eve of the pandemic. Entering the nation-wide lockdown as new widows, they began meeting every week (socially distanced and in protective clothing) as Catherine cared for her mother and both women learned to navigate loss, ‘sadmin', and unexpected dramas. As well as tracing their intertwined stories of love and grief, Catherine and Anne share their thoughts, ideas and advice for anyone facing the loss of a loved one or wishing to know how best to support others in these circumstances. They confront the unspoken fears and unhelpful stereotypes that leave so many unprepared to deal with death and unsure how to comfort anyone experiencing loss. Part memoir, part investigation, Good Grief also details Catherine's exploration of the possibility that her husband, the musician Andy Gill, whose death made global headlines earlier this year, might be one of the earliest victims in the UK of Covid-19. Above all, this is a book about love. Catherine and Anne share their insights, pain, hope and humour, and detail how in losing the loves of their lives they found an ever-closer relationship with each other.
