Good Grief – Book of the Month
Our February 2021 book of the month is “Good Grief” by bestselling author, journalist, speaker, and co-founder and President of the Women’s Equality Party Catherine Mayer and Anne Mayer Bird.
ABOUT GOOD GRIEF
Mother and daughter Anne Mayer Bird and Catherine Mayer were widowed within 41 days of each other on the eve of the pandemic, then locked down alone. Their profound isolation was broken just once a week, when Catherine visited Anne to care for her, at distance and in a mask. Together they found ways to navigate their loss and the startling questions and challenges that confronted them.
In this memoir, Catherine also investigates the possibility that her husband, renowned musician Andy Gill, contracted Covid-19 when his band, Gang of Four, toured China in late 2019. Her main focus, however, is not on death, but on life and love. This is a captivating account of lives well lived. It is interwoven with letters Anne wrote to her husband John to tell him of the astonishing and heartrending events since his death and her small triumphs in living independently.
In sharing their insights and experiences, Catherine and Anne aim to help those who have lost or will lose people or who wish to know how best to support others in such circumstances. They also celebrate love—for John and Andy and each other.
“A most powerful and helpful book about grief.” Anita Anand
“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
ABOUT CATHERINE MAYER
Catherine Mayer is a bestselling author, journalist, speaker, and activist. She is the co-founder and President of the Women’s Equality Party and co-founder of Primadonna, the festival celebrating brilliant writing, music, and ideas and giving prominence to women, launched in 2019.
Her books include Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly; Charles: The Heart of a King, and Attack of the Fifty Foot Women: How Gender Equality Can Save the World! Her most recent book, the memoir Good Grief: Embracing Life at a Time of Death, includes letters written by her mother after both women were widowed at the start of the pandemic. Launched in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa in December 2020, it will be published in the US and Canada in July 2021.
Catherine’s speaking topics include:
- The Future of Media in the Digital Age
- Seizing the Turbulence: How to embrace change
- Tough at the Top: Hard lessons in leading and being led
- From Lightbulb Moment to Growing Enterprise: How to turn ideas into reality
- Difference Works: Why true diversity and inclusion is about much more than ticking boxes
- Wonder Women: How unlocking female potential benefits us all
- Inside the Royal Family
To order a copy of the book please visit Amazon. For more information on Catherine please see her webpage or contact us at enquiries@scampspeakers.co.uk