First You Die: Learn to Live After the Death of Your Child [Paperback]

Marie Levine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 16, 2004

After several years of writing a regular column about the despair, anger and confusion she felt after the death of her only child, Marie Levine weaves the story of her own bereavement into a collection of essays, poems and writings that chronicle her own surviving mother's journey. As a nightmarish reality envelops her, Marie describes the ultimate restoration of hope and healing as she learns to live a whole new life she could never have imagined.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In 1993, Marie Levine's 22-year-old son Peter, was killed in a car accident. That experience re-defined her life and she turned to writing. Hundreds of bereaved parents agree that she puts words to emotions impossible to describe. Marie and her husband divide their time between Manhattan and the country. A passionate gardener, she works full-time and edits a newsletter for bereaved parents. "I have to fit 48 hours worth of life into 24. I'm living for two now."

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Global book Publisher (January 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594570523
• ISBN-13: 978-1594570520
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable, September 15, 2008

By 

Roxanne M. Gomez-labelle "Searching for my son" (Michigan , USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First You Die: Learn to Live After the Death of Your Child (Paperback)

I have not even finished this book yet and can tell you it is so true of the journey of a grieving parent. So well written and mirrors that journey in such a way that only a grieving parent could identify with. Although I must say that if you have a friend or relative who is going through such a tragedy, they should also read it to develop a better understanding of what it is like. Thank you for writing this book. I lost my son 2.5 years ago and though he was not my only child, he was my "only" son. I too fear for my future but reading your book feel the bittersweetness of knowing that I am not the only one with those feelings. God Bless You and all grieving moms.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope for the Childless Parent, May 26, 2007

By 

N. Thornton "N. Thornton" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First You Die: Learn to Live After the Death of Your Child (Paperback)

Excellent and beautifully written account on the impact of losing an only child. As a "childless" parent, I search for like-literature in bereavement material. I am often disappointed to find either a couple of lines, or no mention at all on the loss of an only child - or all children. I commend Marie for having the courage to write this book and being the voice of now-childless parents- as she describes the added, and yes, quite different set of circumstances we face in our quest for survival. Thank you for articulating so well all that we are and hope to be.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars helpful book, May 24, 2008

By 

V. VERNI "mother of boys" (new york) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First You Die: Learn to Live After the Death of Your Child (Paperback)

I sent this book to a friend who lost her only child several years ago. She struggles every day while missing him terribly and the only thing that seems to help is reading about other people who have lost children also. She told me this book was well written and she could personally relate to what she read. I also lost a son many years ago and know reading this kind of book was very comforting to me.