Grief Observed

I have it as a gift to a friends who lost his father, I haven’t read it myself so can’t give detailed review. I received the book in time and was in a good state

Great book, but perhaps all readers may not be emotionally connected. One should go through grief to appreciate the beauty of the writing. I believe so.

The title very key "A" grief observed ... In this case, it's him grieving the death of his wife. Because it's his experience, it doesn't seem "preachy"... Especially parts I could relate to. It's different in different cases, even for the same person, depending on relation with the deceased. It was a comforting read.

Many pages are missing. Quality of pages is extremely poor. Received a fake copy. Very disappointed. Also the price is very high.

I received a fake copy of the book. The book hardly had 76 pages inside and was badly cut and bound.

Es un libro interesante sobre la palabra Dios cuando perdemos alguien en nuestra vida. Lo dimos de regalo a una amiga.

Je souhaite lire tous ses œuvres. T t t t t t t t t t t t t t

I was first signposted to this book nearly 18 years ago by a bereavement counsellor Maxine - who helped more than she knew or I ever told her! At the time I really couldn't see my way out of almost stifling grief - but she gave me a copy of this book and suggested I read it - and pop a yellow sticky in the pages that most resonated with me. A month or so on she suggested I re-read it and do the yellow sticky thing again - and already I could see I was moving on - if only through the stages of grief at that time. I hadn't believed it possible. Several readings later - loads more yellow stickies - and months passed - and I finally understood what she'd been hoping for. As hard as it seems - and as hard as it is to see - we do all move from where we started. I found some of the book - especially the more religious bits hard going - and skipped over them - whilst appreciating even at the time that they might bring some comfort to others. CS Lewis - wrote this book after the death of his love - portrayed in the film 'Shadowlands' - and despite being a rather restrained individual and theology boffin - went on to care for her son and from there we get the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe series - which made many kids like me really enjoy books. I still have that original copy with all of the yellow stickies - and treasure it always as it tells my journey back to the land of the living far better than I could! I've also bought copies for and passed on the yellow sticky advice on a very few appropriate occasions in the last 18 years. It has always helped. A truly great book - inspirational and untold help. If you ever find yourself in need of such a prop - well worth buying - and whilst the paper version and the yellow stickies - tried and tested - bookmarks or notes on kindle probably do the same thing. I've just looked it out again on the recent death of a close friend's husband - and will be passing on a copy again.

My wife passed away at the young age of 38 after a brutal battle with leukemia. As a Christian and father of 4 children under the age of 13, I found this book to be incredible at putting to words the intense pain I am feeling inside. The questions, the doubts, the hurt, the uncomfortable interactions with well-meaning people, navigating our children’s feelings… all of it, incredibly articulated by one of the Christian literary greats. As you attempt to navigate grief of this magnitude, people often say things like “I can’t imagine what you’re going through”. When it feels like nobody really understands, this book reminds you that you’re not alone and even someone as close to God and highly regarded as C.S. Lewis wrestles with the same questions, doubts, anger, and profound pain that you are. It’s normal, it’s expected, and frankly, it’s needed. If you’re one of those people trying to figure out what to say, or to understand the thoughts and feelings a Christian walking through grief is enduring, C.S. Lewis articulates it in a way no one else can. It will gift you incredible insight into the jumbled mess of feelings and pain that grief leaves in its wake. This is one of those books that I will purchase over and over to give to people walking through the the pain of losing someone they love. This book is short, but the value is incredibly high. I recommend this book be read in the earliest stages of grief. It is best used to navigate the swirling emotions and questions of why, what now, and how. Please share this book with your hurting friends and family. It will make a huge difference in their lives.

I bought this book after my mother died. I needed something to occupy my mind. No one else - no relative, no friend (most of them too afraid to talk about my loss anyways) managed to put grief into words as well as C.S.Lewis managed to do in this book. His words are balm for broken hearts. His observations about his own grief calmed me down and helped me cope. At first I was afraid he would put too much weight on a Christian god and/or afterlife - since C.S.Lewis was a Christian apologist himself after a bout of atheism in his youth and many books about grief do (which is oh, so silly!) - but my fears were unfounded. I as a person that is 80% atheist and 20% agnostic felt understood.