Structure

From Scratch is written with a nonchronological narrative; however, the main narrative thread of the book does unfold in a largely chronological way. That main thread tells the story of Tembi's grieving process after the death of her husband Saro and moves chronologically through the first three summers after his passing. Within that narrative, however, there are several flashbacks and flashforwards to different points in their relationship and marriage before his death.

The Prologue opens the book after Saro's death while the first chapter flashes back to how he and Tembi met. This non-chronological and non-linear structure helps to establish the book as a grief memoir rather than a love story because readers know from the very beginning that Saro has passed away. His death is not the climax of a tragic love story, instead, it is the inciting incident in a woman's journey through loss toward...