Devoted wife, loving mother, and consummate best friend Jean Harley has just been struck down by a tragic bicycle accident. Jean Harley Was Here is a record of the lives that she leaves behind.

Heather Taylor Johnson’s latest novel explores the lasting effects of grief through a showcase of how much one life (and one death) can influence the lives surrounding it. The novel is told by a series of narrators as each chapter changes perspective to show the role Jean’s life and death had on the people around her: her husband, her best friends, the man at fault for her death and even her dog.

The novel’s strongest point is its ability to fully flesh out each character. In some ways, the series of intertwining and intersecting chapters read like short stories, detailing the lives of each character beyond the scope of their relationship with Jean.

With rave reviews from Australian wunderkind Hannah Kent dotting the book jacket, it was hard not to get excited about this novel. On a personal note, Jean’s (and Johnson’s) perspective as a North American immigrant to Australia was especially affecting for me as a Canadian living in Australia. I found myself easily relating to the experience of having multiple homes and loved ones that span the globe. But even if you’re not an American expat you’ll find something (or someone) to relate to in this story with its wide range of characters.

By turns tragic and romantic, this novel is a careful and honest depiction of grief and love.

Tristen Kiri Brudy works as a bookseller at Readings Carlton.