How to Be Wretched

The powerful and redemptive story of a woman’s journey to understand her profound grief and the science that helped her to overcome it

During her late teens and twenties, Jillian Dunham lost everyone in her immediate family: her grandfather, both grandmothers, her father, and her mother, to whom she was closest. She tried to process these losses, but rather than “moving on,” Dunham found herself mired in feelings that she could neither control nor escape.

Once she realized that traditional approaches weren’t helping, Dunham turned to her skills as a journalist. She began to explore what scientists are learning about deep grief and what is now called “prolonged grief disorder”—grief that persists for more than a year. She learned how grief rewires our brains, how it changes the hormones in our bodies, and even the way our immune system functions. These insights prompted her to see her own grief differently and to seek a new way forward.

How to Be Wretched is the story of one woman’s transformative struggle to move beyond her own debilitating grief. Combining memoir and reportage and drawing from a wide range of sources—from the writings of Seneca to cutting-edge neuroscience—it is both an eye-opening journey and a compelling story.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs