Here Lies by Olivia Clare Friedman is a Beautiful Meditation on Grief

Olivia Clare Friedman’s debut novel, Here Lies, takes us to the core of one woman’s determination as she strives to properly grieve her late mother. In an alternate future in Louisiana, the state of the world has inspired a new law, by which the dead can no longer be buried and people aren’t easily granted ownership of their loved ones’ remains. As Alma navigates this reality, she finds two quirky and fiercely loyal sidekicks, each coming to terms with their own present circumstances. This trio of women is one you’ll root for and feel for, while considering questions about life, death, and the paths we take in between.  

Here Lies

by Olivia Clare Friedman

“Grüner Veltliner from Austria. I like dry white wines. I also love this one because I’ve had it on several special occasions. When I drink it, my sense memory kicks in, and while I’m in the present moment, I think of the past too, remembering those occasions. That’s something I love about wine, in particular — the pleasure of the present moment alongside the nostalgia. Your taste buds remember.” —OCF

Red wine pairing: Great Mother Red by Stilianou	White wine pairing: Brut Cava by Bodegas Naveran
For the perfect red wine to pair with Here Lies, we’re heading to Greece. This Stilianou Great Mother Red comes from Crete. With its roots in the Mandilaria grape, it is lovely and complex, with very light fruit and delicate tannins. What grabbed us most firmly about it, though, is the slight touch of saltiness on the finish. This one is a little more splurge-y than we’d typically drink on a regular sort of evening, but our advice: go for it.	Our white wine pairing for Here Lies is being recommended with our recipe in mind. Consider this Bodegas Naveran Brut Cava. The bubbles are seasonally appreciated, as are its ripe citrus fruits. Here, too, we get just a touch of minerals, as well as a hint of ginger. If you’re reading Here Lies with a friend or book club, take this one to brunch with a satchel of the fruity granola bars below.

Fruity Granola Bars

from Mary Berry’s Baking Bible by Mary Berry

There are a few very sad breakfasts that make appearances throughout Olivia Clare Friedman’s novel Here Lies. This isn’t surprising given the weird state of the world in the novel, and given our protagonists’ propensity for eating on the run. If only they’d had a few of these grab-and-go breakfast bars at the ready. While we can’t change the most important meal of the day for Alma and Bordelon, we can offer these to you, today. Enjoy!

Mary Berry's Baking Bible: Revised and Updated

by Mary Berry

“I was driving past a cemetery with my husband, and we suddenly had a what if? conversation. What if cremation was mandated by the government due to the effects of climate change, and people weren’t allowed to bury their loved ones? What if there was no choice? I found I had a strong reaction to the idea. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. That’s when I knew I had to write it.” —Olivia Clare Friedman 

“I keep things routine and simple. I think that’s because the simplicity allows me a freedom and wildness on the page. I wake up early (my former self would be shocked — I used to be a late-night writer) and make half-caffeinated, half-decaffeinated coffee. I have a little yogurt. My cat goes right in his bed next to my desk. I also have apps on my computer and phone (like Freedom and Opal) that turn off parts of the Internet and allow me to concentrate during writing time. When I feel solitude — the haunting, moving kind — the words can come.” —OCF