Customer Reviews

The Etiquette of Illness: What to Say When You Can't Find the Words

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Coincidently,just before reading this book I had a conversation with a friend about her daughter's breast cancer and how so very many people said the wrong things to her duaghter trying to be sympathetic. This book gives the right questions to ask of a friend who is ill and to the questions, as well, about how to be helpful without intruding. It also advises the person who is sick on how to ask for help and comfort. The book manages to be amazingly soothing in its effect and I don't mean that in a wishy washy sense at all. Quite the contrary. It is difficult to read about these issues of life-threatening illness without feelings of anxiety and sadness. Halpern has managed to communicate softness and peace, a Zen-like tone that makes the reader feel that these events are part of the life cycle and not the horrible other of bad dreams that render the dreamers helpless. She doesn't mitigate the devastating effects of illness or the possibility of loss, but instead offers positive actions that can turn helplessness into helpful action. Her voice, calming and kind, was there as much as if she were in the room with you.

Congratulations to Susan Halpern for creating a beautiful, thoughtful, accessible and spiritual work on a complex subject. I loved that the vignettes that comprise the bulk of the book are so short, simple and non-judgmental. That the author has transformed her own experiences with illness and death into such a constructive and generous contribution to our world is as impressive as it is inspiring. If you?ve ever paused to consider how to address your own or someone else?s hardships, you will appreciate this gem of a book.

I found that this book exceeded the excellent things I'd heard about it. It provided down-to-earth, practical advice on how to talk about illness and dying with loved ones. Equally useful for young and old. I'm going to order more copies to give as gifts because this book is so warm, wonderful and enriching

?The Etiquette of Illness? is well-written and provides a very good roadmap for those of us who do not have much experience in dealing with illness, either our own or that of friends and loved ones. The best part is the feeling of warmth and community that emerges from the descriptions of real life examples that Halpern uses to illustrate her points. She also allows the reader to forgive himself for mistakes made in dealing with illness in others.

I was a hospice volunteer when I purchased this book and found the information helpful in providing comfort to those I visited. I have had many friends and family members die for various reasons (accidents, sudden illness, lingering deaths from cancer, old age) and in some ways the book was comforting. I highly recommend this book and Swallowed by a Snake, how men grieve.

This is a great book on a subject that is difficult to discuss and understand. Since we all will have someone sick in our lives at some point, this information will really help you to find the right words.
A comforting book to read. Very well written.

This book heightens awareness of dealing with persons suffering from major illnesses. Much of the book is antidotal, but makes the points easier to understand. It makes suggestions not only for those interacting with someone with an illness, but also makes suggestions for the ill person to implement. A very worthwile read.