Never Better: Two Kids, Their Dad, and His Wife's Ghost

by Gonzalo Riedel

Mourning the death of his wife, a struggling single dad seeks to bring joy back to his family after a long period of trauma.

There was a time before his wife got sick when Gonzalo could think about other things. They had full lives where death didn’t factor. Where humour was more than a coping mechanism. Life wasn’t all about treatments and recovery, or the emptiness he felt when she died.

They had kids together. Young kids. Less than a year after their youngest was born and suddenly he was strapping them both into their car seats to drive to their mother’s funeral.

He used to think he was the glue holding the household together. It didn’t take long for him to realize how wrong he’d been. A grieving husband is in no condition to raise kids alone. There were times when he wanted to toss himself into a raging river that would suck him under and bash his skull on the rocks. That’s always an option for another day. For now, he’ll just squash those feelings and drive the kids to daycare.

Does it get easier? Of course. But not right away. They say that hope only comes at the end of a long dark journey, but that isn’t entirely true because the journey never really ends. But that means there’s good hope is everywhere you look.

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A raw and unflinching look at grief after the death of a loved one.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to cry - Never Better is a brutally honest book about grief. It’s heartbreaking but hopeful, with bits of humor sprinkled in too. It bounces between timelines very effectively and is a well written narrative of love and loss.

[Sharon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Gonzalo Riedel - 5 stars!

Less than a year after their youngest son was born, Gonzalo's wife, Erica, died from appendix cancer. He was suddenly a single dad, raising two small boys, grieving the love of his life.

This was such a brutally honest and open memoir about grief. Gonzalo gives us lots of "before" memories of life with Erica, while showing us the huge holes left behind afterwards. I so appreciated the fact that he didn't sugarcoat all the emotions he felt in the height of his grief, while still having to get up every day as a single dad. It will rip your heart apart but also give you hope, because life is always hopeful. There's enough humor and self-deprecation to not push this book over into depressing, and I loved that he acknowledged all of his feelings. I will return to this book again and wish nothing but happiness ahead for this family.

[Shanna Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gonzalo's style of writing with short sections/no chapters, while easily and seamlessly bouncing back and forth through specific timelines and stories keeps readers engaged. That's just the technical stuff... He wrote this very personal heartfelt story of love, loss, stressful parenting and every other struggle in between so very radically exposed and honest in a way many of us couldn't, yet can admire. Even if you've never walked in his shoes, he paints a picture so clear of his experiences that we could all imagine being in his (or his late wife's) place. Or in the place of anyone we know who has, or is, currently struggling with cancer or any other fatal disease. Born and raised here, I also felt the bitter sweetness of Winnipeg places he mentions and other Canadian locations. Amazing debut book, Gonzalo! Looking forward to reading whatever comes next!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Dundurn Press in exchange for an honest review.

I found myself riding a rollercoaster of feelings reading Never Better. The short "chapters" made for a relatively fast paced read but I had to take time with the raw emotions written on the pages. At times I felt it was too personal however vulnerability is not my personal strong suit.

Looking forward to read more from Gonzalo.

[Madeline Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and I did cry. I do wish that it was a bit more about Erica’s life and not her death if the goal was to have something for the children. But the writing was beautiful and it was such a succinct portrayal of grieving someone you love.

Thanks to Dundurn Press for the gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Lyndsay Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having known Erica, and now knowing her children this was a hard read. Gonzolo did a wonderful job expressing how incredibly heart wrenching loosing Erica has been for him, their boys and families. She was an amazing woman, and the tragedy of her illness and death will reside in my heart as well.

Thank you for sharing this story Gonzolo.

[ALaraReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gonzalo’s story really captures the grieving process.It is raw and painful to read and at times it’s a little funny. I do appreciate Gonzalo being vulnerable in sharing his story. I see his story helping many see that all those overwhelming feelings that come after losing a loved one are to be expected and that it takes time to heal.

[Michael]

My interview with Riedel discussing the book here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...