Grief Is for People

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death by suicide.

Crosley, the author and narrator, published this memoir approximately five years after the events within it unfolded. An essayist whose work has been extensively published, she writes nonfiction, including personal essays. She writes straightforwardly, delving into the taboo topic of suicide and presenting ideas about it that some may find controversial or discomforting to consider. Often, she uses humor to cope with the stress of the burglary and the frustration of the grief she experiences over Russell’s death. At other times, the narration is very vulnerable, exposing her own flawed thinking and admitting to her past mistakes or oversights. Crosley is introspective and eager to examine her motivations, especially when they are not easily understood. For instance, she is highly driven to recover the stolen jewelry, not because it is of monetary value but for symbolic reasons—she believes that the jewelry is connected to Russell and will somehow bring him back to life. Crosley admits that this is emotion-based thinking but feels compelled to pursue this goal anyway.

Throughout her struggle through the grief that follows Russell’s death, Crosley is honest about her feelings. At times, she deliberately chooses to ignore the fact of Russell’s death (or pretends that another reality is happening), and at other times, her sadness and hurt are so overwhelming that she longs for the rest of the world to stop and mourn alongside her.