From Alison Larkin, an English American writer, producer, prolific audiobook narrator (aided by her ability to capture multiple accents and genders), standup comedian, podcaster, and voice actor, comes a wonderful new book titled Grief...a Comedy, based on her second solo show. Her earlier show (and subsequent book), The English American, chronicled her relocation to the US to find her birth mother and her move to NYC to become a standup comedian (sometimes on the same lineup as Marc Maron and Dave Chappelle, back in the day) and actress, while this one explores new territory.

In her fifties, Alison wondered why she had never been in love, even though she had been married and raised two children, and why her quest to find her soulmate hadn't been successful. But everything changed when she met Bhima--over a New York Times crossword puzzle-who had relocated from India to the US decades ago, and they struck up a beautiful relationship filled with love, humor, and stimulating conversation. The two families hit it off as well, and Alison and Bhima joyfully agreed they should get married.

But just four days later, their plans were irreparably destroyed by Bhima's sudden death . . . or were they? A few weeks later, Bhima just as suddenly reappeared in Alison's life, and their relationship continued as brilliantly as ever. The difference was that now Bhima was committed to helping Alison find another soulmate for the rest of her journey through life. And that he just might be a figment of Alison's imagination. But does it really matter?

I thoroughly enjoyed the couple's loving banter, even when there were some occasional cultural issues to resolve. I also appreciated the fact that Larkin found a way to move forward again and to continue to shoot for her goals of living her life, rather than just getting through it, and making the world a better place. And who can resist a book where Archbishop Desmond Tutu plays a brief but important role?

Despite the title, this is a life-affirming, upbeat book, and one that will only require a bit of your time (around 200 pages long). I sped through it, enraptured by what I found on each page.

My thanks to Alison Larkin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.