Loss and Grief

From Scratch fits into the sub-genre of a "grief memoir" as it chronicles the author and protagonist's journey after the death of her husband. Loss and grief permeate the story and the author herself writes about it throughout the book, clearly indicating that it is an important theme. Learning to live with loss and grief is the journey that Tembi, Zoela, and Nonna are all taking together throughout the book. They are united in this journey and share a common loss, through grieving is also often a process that one must work through internally, on his or her own, albeit often with the support of loved ones.

Though Tembi has lost her husband, she characterizes that loss in an interesting way, writing: "He was no more gone from my life than the moon is gone from the sky in daylight. He was everywhere, yet unseen. Learning...