Customer Reviews

Good Grief: Healing Through the Shadow of Loss

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3 star:		(1)
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I read this book three months after my mother passed away after a lengthy illness. I would not have been open to it sooner, as the concepts Coryell presents are challenging and take energy to consider. I was surprised to find, as I had spent years of education becoming a psychologist, that this book presented concepts on grief and loss to which I had never been exposed. Coryell encourages the reader to view loss (all loss, not just death) as a central part of life that offers us the opportunity for growth and wisdom if we can learn to accept, rather than fight it. She draws heavily from Buddhist teachings, which emphasize the importance of embracing our pain and learning to accept life on life's terms. Through the use of breathing, rituals of remembrance, and techniques to reshape thought processes, Coryell's gentle and encouraging book has given me a new perspective on loss. She writes in a beautiful, philosophical style that is a refreshing and helpful contrast to some of the "hand books" on surviving grief I have read. I found myself underlining her nuggets of wisdom throughout the book, and immediately after finishing it, I sent three copies to send to the rest of my family members. It's the type of book I will keep nearby for ready reference when I need centering and perspective.

After 9 months 11 days as caregiver, I lost my best friend and the love of my life. In the seven months since, it has been difficult to find a reason to live, much less be happy, again. I have read many books on how to deal with grief, but none have touched me as this one. I am believing in my own life again. Deborah Coryell has a way with words like no one else. I will always be grateful to her for this book and for her special ability to touch my own soul. She has given me back my husband, and shown me the way to my own path.

This book is different from other grief books in that the author strongly believes we all know (or can figure out) how to grieve. The author's mission is to help us understand why we feel the way we do or to gently identify feelings, though they may never be understood, that are just a healthy aspect of grieving.

This book also illuminates much Jewish wisdom on grieving. Just like that old commercial that you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy a certain rye bread, you don't have to be Jewish to appreciate the Jewish wisdom that the author discusses.

My only caution about the book is that sometimes words fail the author and she falls into "new-ageyness" talk. However, the book is so sweet that you have to forgive the author for her efforts to say the practically unsayable.

To sum it up, to me a book like this is successful if it can provide you with one or a couple of deep insights (epiphanies?). By all means, this books succeeds wonderfully.

This book was remarkable in that, even just holding it and looking at the simple cover offered me some peace in a time of shear agony. Obviously, a lot of love went into it. The words are simple and beautiful AND offer great depth. So much soulful contemplation and growth can be derived from reading this book while grieving. The entire energy of the book is in concert with the healing process. I've recommended this book to many friends who have lost someone close to them and will many times again, God willing.

Having lost my only child four years ago, I have read many books on grief. This one is by far the best! I found myself highlighting most of the pages and have just bought a second copy!

My advise: Buy This One!

Deborah Coryell wrote this book for me. It was as if she looked into my soul and saw my need. I unexpectantly lost my daughter 3 days after Xmas 2004 and have been trying to cope ever since. Deborah Coryell reached out (through this book) and pulled me into a new realm of healing. I plan to reread it again and again. If fact, I am about to order 2 more copies for my other two daughters (I don't want to give up my copy). So much of what Deborah Coryell writes is what I believe and feel but she puts it in words for me. She also introduced me to a new way of viewing the transition from physical life to "...the divine spark...dispersed into the universe." Her words and understanding of loss, grieving and healing are powerful. I am so grateful for having found her (book) at this time in my life.

Author Deborah Morris Coryell, who has worked in the health field for more than 25 years and has written numerous books on wellness, now takes pen to paper in order to shed light on the process of healing from grief and loss. She observes that "We only grieve for that which we have loved and, the nature of life being transitory, love and loss are intimately connected," among many other hidden truths about the essence of grief. Eloquent and poignant, Good Grief: Healing Through The Shadow Of Loss is a touching journey toward understanding the regret that makes us human.

We lost our 39 year old son in September. Although he had been ill for a number of years, his death was unexpected. We were glad he was no longer in pain and was finally at peace. At the same time, we miss him and tears are always quite near. GOOD GRIEF was a positive,clearly written essay about the author's own grieving. She espressed so well the feelings I didn't know how to put into words. Her experience gave me a way of grieving that was real and authentic. We will always miss our son. I will always be a Mom who has a son who has died. However, just as his life had meaning, so does his death. Just as he was one of my spirtual teachers while he was alive, he continues to help me to grow throught his death. GOOD GRIEF has given me a guideline for this painful part of my life. I know I will go through this period of growth, not around it. I want to completely experience one of the greatest losses of my life and use that awareness to be of service to others. GOOD GRIEF will help me to accomplish that goal. After reading the book, I immediately read it again. I also sent copies of it to a number of people who also loved our son and were grieving his death. They agreed with me about the value of GOOD GRIEF in their grieving process.

This is a terrific book for anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one. I've used it over and over again in support groups and sent it to many friends in their bereavement. Recommend highly.

I expected more substance from this book. The author's conceit requires more clarity and cohesion. The writing style didn't help much either; I found it rather obtuse and redundant at points.