(A young widow who lusts, a daughter who aches, a shopaholic who hungers....The Joy of Funerals is a riveting collection that explores the lives of nine young women, each willing to take drastic measures to fill the voids created by longing and loneli-ness. The first eight face death differently, while the ninth woman, Nina, ties them all together by attending funerals in her search to connect with others. Written with raw wit, mordant humor and a uniquely pene-trating voice, Strauss turns the spotlight on loss and grief. This is a provocative look into the inner world of those left behind, and those still holding on.

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