Grief

Through the device of the Moving On Circle, the author explores different facets of bereavement giving a wider and more in-depth view of the nature of grief than could be communicated from the character of Louisa alone. For example, Daphne struggles with realizations about her husband’s homosexuality after his death, which make her question everything she thought she had understood about their relationship when he was alive.

The grief of the other characters at the Moving On Circle is also used as a mirror for what’s going on in Louisa’s own life. Initially, it appears as if Jake’s discussion of his dad’s sexual behavior in response to the grief he feels over the death of his mum is included in the novel in order to give further characterization to Sam. However, in retrospect, when it is revealed that Sam is actually...