This book explores the complex and often contradictory emotions that arise from profound loss. The author, Lisa Appignanesi, draws on her personal experiences to navigate the landscape of grief, anger, loss, and love, offering a raw and intimate account of navigating life after a significant bereavement. The narrative is framed by personal reflections and observations, such as the enduring presence of a small hotel shampoo bottle, which serves as a poignant reminder of the person lost and the everyday realities that persist.

The book is characterized by its deeply personal and unflinching exploration of grief. Appignanesi's writing is noted for its honesty and the way it captures the disorienting and often contradictory emotions that accompany loss. The narrative weaves together profound emotional states with the mundane realities of everyday life, creating a relatable and moving account. The use of specific, sensory details makes the experience of grief tangible for the reader.