Dancing at the Pity Party – a grief companion that 'gets it'

‘And just like that, I became someone who had seen death…’

Loss marks you. It becomes the lapel pin on your coat, the introductory sticker on your shirt, a badge that is irremovable. It is constant, fixed, and indestructible like that hefty obstacle of furniture you want to expel from your room in pursuit of a home makeover. But then you realise, you are no Marie Kondo. Just as we are not Netflix-worthy super organisers, it is impossible to remove the loss you experienced from your life.

In her ‘dead mom graphic memoir’, Feder invites you in under her blankets of warm pastel-toned illustrations, accompanied by her minimalistic writing style. Dreary and depressing is the antithesis of this grief book – Feder skilfully employs humour and minimalism to create a realistic, no-nonsense depiction of grief. This book becomes your grief bible with its child-parent nostalgia, and it's dishing out of the all too relatable struggles of grief.

I found myself smiling, laughing, tearing up, and nodding along to Feder’s every word. Not only is this a handbook for grievers, but Feder does what a lot of grievers strive to do. She keeps her mother alive through her candid words and charming illustrations.

If you find yourself in need of a refreshing read, a colourful and relatable friend, or someone who just gets it, look no further than Dancing at the Pity Party. Feder embraces that badge, that lapel pin, that sticker, and makes you feel more at ease with wearing it, and not so eager to ignore it or give up on it.

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Find Tyler Feder here

Buy the book at Waterstones

Buy the book at Amazon

Also: check out this amazing resource shared by one of Grief Girl's followers, Emilia

The Effects Death, Traumas and Disasters Have on Mental Health

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