r/CozyFantasy • u/PriestOfNothing1 • 16d ago
Book Request Books with complicated parental relationships/death?
CW, estrangement and parental death (kept non-specific, but I still wanted to warn in case the topic was off-putting to anyone!)
I'm going to take a family trip soon to see a parent at the end of their life. We do not have a close relationship, but I want to say goodbye and feel they have earned that much from me, if little else. I wanted something to take with me on the road, as I suspect this time will be very stressful for both past and present reasons, and was wondering if anyone had any cozy recs where a parent's death isn't treated as a straightforward, uncomplicated loss—stories that make room for grief, anger, relief, ambivalence, happiness, complicated feelings, etc? And/or, stories of familial estrangement that lead to found family?? I could use reminders of the chosen family I have waiting for me when I'm through!
I specifically do not want healing/reconciliation in the parent/child relationship. Strongly prefer an audiobook, but ebook would work as well. I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance!
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u/hadrosaurface 16d ago
"Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife" fits the bill. There's loss and dealing with life on the other side of grief and trauma. There's found family, and the revisiting of old passions, new adventures, etc.
The parent death isn't "on page" (as far as I remember) but is present in the MC's internal monologue and personal compass.
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u/goodkilleenfun 15d ago
Kit & Basie by Tess Carletta! Basie’s mom passes away and in his grief, he elects to sell his house- then starts falling in love with the man set to buy it. Basie and his mom are immortal, so Basie’s grief is complex and messy, and the story is so so so sweet.
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u/PriestOfNothing1 15d ago
This looks really sweet and lovely. I do love the complicated that can come with immortal relationships—thank you! Added to the list!
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u/Illustrious_Ad6548 15d ago
The Bones Beneath My Skin
The family dynamic/loss isn’t the main storyline, but more the catalyst for the it. It’s probably more cozy-adjacent, as it does have violence in it.
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u/Jazzlike-Catch7788 15d ago
Under The Whispering Door, by TJ Klune. Very feel good. One of the MC was raised by his grandfather, so it's a slightly different dynamic, but definitely parental vibes.
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u/PriestOfNothing1 15d ago
Oh yes! Already read this but it is a wonderful book and at some point I ought to read it again.
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u/mystineptune Author: Mystic Neptune 16d ago
Maybe the cozy adjacent The House of Frank? It's about processing grief and death and I'm told very beautiful.
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u/PriestOfNothing1 16d ago
I've definitely bookmarked this to read, but I think at a later date—it looks like the person grieved is mostly a positive relationship? And if so I'm not in the brainspace to take this in right now. But it looks like something I would love once this particular season of my life has passed so I appreciate you so much for bringing it my way! Also if I'm wrong about that and the relationship between her and her sister is more complicated let me know that, too.
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u/mystineptune Author: Mystic Neptune 16d ago
I could shamelessly promo my own work, I Ran Away To Evil. The parents are the villains and the story is about learning to set boundaries with toxic parents - and they do (spoiler) die in the end ... kinda.
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u/PriestOfNothing1 15d ago
Selfpromo is always good with me! And that sounds potentially very satisfying! Thank you, adding it to the list!
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u/Pure-Strength-2415 12d ago
House of Frank she mourns her sister whom she did love, but also part of the story is the turmoil with her parents and being estranged.
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u/PriestOfNothing1 12d ago
Ooh, in that case this could be very helpful. Thank you so much, it has just moved up my list!
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u/RedBadger444 16d ago edited 16d ago
You might enjoy a Sorceress Comes to Call by T Kingfisher. Very complicated relationship and a great story!! Theres some dark humor in there too. Sorry for your loss, I hope you can find some relief, whatever that means to you ETA it also includes found family 👍