A directly funny but sometimes heavy story of transformative grief, Daisy Buchanan’s easy-to-follow narrative and stand-up worthy observations make for an ideal summer read. Pity Party introduces us to Katherine, a plucky type-A environmentalist struggling to navigate her new life as a 30-year-old widow. The How To Be A Grown-Up author creates a heartbreaking and sorely relatable character as our workaholic protagonist scathes her Gen Z colleagues with Bridget Jones-style wit.

She loses her grip on reality while refusing to accept the death of her husband, and after being sent to a wellness retreat by her wealthy mother-in-law, Katherine’s critical and comical individual drips from the pages. She reluctantly takes part in primal-scream therapy and erotic meditation, making for some hilarious lines and entertaining interactions.

But while Katherine’s judgmental point of view adds an unwavering humour, Buchanan’s sometimes painful tale of an imperfect relationship runs far deeper than a straight comedy. From crystal-crazy spiritualists to manic material girls, the characters of Katherine’s retreat bring about more laughs, while heavier subjects bubble under the surface. 

She considers her Gen Z bunkmate with disdain for her newly bought clothes and over-consumption (hasn’t she heard of fast fashion!?). It becomes clear over time that these people share similar struggles, which they interpret in different ways and learn to work through together. Buchanan’s array of layered and realistic female characters conjures an illustration of the complexities and expectations of womanhood. A strong sense of female solidarity is established by the novel’s end, adding a memorable warmth to the overall story. Meanwhile, the subject of queerness is masterfully approached in the latter half; we can follow our protagonist’s inner monologue, but her queerness is never a subject of shame.

Although she does come with a textbook tragic backstory (orphan-turned-widow), her relationship with another woman is seamlessly woven into the plot without any theatrical coming-out stories or periods of self-loathing. The anxieties surrounding this queer relationship have nothing to do with her partner’s gender, delivering a take on sexuality which is as affirming as it is refreshing.

Pity Party refuses to shy away from the denial, guilt and shame of loss. Over the course of 350-plus pages, the reader progresses from merely observing Katherine to fully understanding her, and knowing the things she needs to accept, perhaps before she knows herself. This progressive perception of the main character is beautifully written and propels the tale’s transformational aspect.

As the plot flits back and forth between, before and after her husband’s death, short chapters help keep momentum simmering until we reach its last epiphany. Daisy Buchanan’s newest novel combines pointed humour with tangled feelings of grief, creating an emotionally driven, quick-to-devour story that could catapult anyone out of a reading slump.

Daisy Buchanan: Pity Party is published by Sphere on Thursday 11 July; main picture: Sarah Kate Photography.