In the novel ‘Loved One,’ an ambiguous friendship is further complicated by loss

Grief is often a complex, non-linear process that can be particularly challenging when it involves an "ambiguous loss." This type of loss, which we will explore through the character of Julia, is distinct in its lack of clarity and closure.

Grief as a Complex, Nuanced, Non-linear Experience

Grief takes its time and works through people at its own pace, presenting itself as a complex and nuanced journey with moments of unpredictability. It's a deeply personal experience that can’t always be mapped out or expected to follow a straight line.

Julia Grapples With Ambiguity of Friend Gabe's Unresolved Passing

In the story, Julia is grappling with the ambiguous loss of her friend Gabe, who died suddenly at age 29. Speaking at his funeral, she's confronted with the reality of things left unsaid and relationships suddenly ruptured, making it hard for her to find closure.

Ambiguous vs. Standard Loss: Unanswered Questions & Lack of Closure

Ambiguous loss differs from standard loss in that there's often no clear end or confirmation of what's happened. This lack of resolution leaves survivors wit ...

The intricacies of human connections are explored through Julia's experiences following the death of Gabe, her first boyfriend and longtime friend, as well as her interactions with Elizabeth, a friend of Gabe's who Julia meets after his passing.

Julia's Complex Relationship With Gabe, Her First Boyfriend and Friend

At the time of Gabe's death, Julia finds herself tangled in a complex web of emotions due to their history as friends and brief period as romantic partners. The untimely death adds layers of confusion and complicity to their bond.

Unresolved Issues Affect Julia's Grieving Process

Julia's process of grief is marred by a slew of unresolved issues that linger after Gabe’s death. Normally, people seek to remember the deceased fondly and attain closure; however, the ambiguous nature of their loss hampers Julia's ability to peacefully resolve their relationship's complexities in the aftermath of Gabe's passing.

Introducing Elizabeth: Gabe's Friend; Julia's Exploration of Gabe's Life

Julia's Relationship With Elizabeth as a Lens For Reexamining Memories of Gabe

The introduction of Elizabeth at Gabe's funeral serves as a catalyst for Julia’s journey into Gabe's life, enabling her to question and understand their shared ...

Aisha Muharrar delves into the delicate subject of grief in her latest book, aiming to provide insight without casting an overwhelmingly somber shade on the reader's experience.

Author's Loss Experiences and Their Impact on the Story and Themes

Research on Stages of Grief: Grieving Is Not Linear

Muharrar's personal journey through loss and her subsequent research heavily inform the themes in her book. She researched the stages of grief, finding particularly insightful the work of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, whose book on the five stages was originally penned for the dying, not the grieving. Kubler-Ross later expanded her research to address the grieving due to the public’s application of her work to their own mourning processes. This contributed to Muharrar’s understanding that grieving is far from a linear process and can manifest in various ways.

Subtle Depiction of Grief: Life Unfolding Around Grieving

Author's Goal: Craft a Story on Grief That Isn't Overwhelmingly Depressing, Capturing the Complexity of Human Experience During Loss

Muharrar’s narrative follows her character, Julia, on a poignant journey through the full spectrum of emotions that grief elicits. The author intricately developed the storyline to encompass moments of joy, lightness, and humor. All characters are conveyed as experiencing some form of loss, but Muharrar is mindful to not let the essence of the story succumb to a sense of despair.

Aisha Muharrar intended to write a book about grief because there was a lack of direct treatment of this theme in literary fiction when she began writing. She wanted to provide solace to those dealing with loss, ensuring that her readers could find com ...