Customer Reviews

Solace: Finding Your Way Through Grief and Learning to Live Again

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Whenever I read the pages of Solace, it feels like Dr. Temes is holding my hand and rubbing my back as I mourn the death of my mother. I understand that Dr. Temes is an expert but I never feel like I'm being talked down to or reading a book written by someone who has knowledge but no understanding. This book taught me how to live my life while mourning the death of someone I loved so deeply. The real life examples of how people mourn differently are comforting and the ideas in the book have helped me find a place to put my grief so that I didn't feel so consumed by it. Solace has been like a really smart best friend that knows just how to make me feel better and I highly recommend it to anyone who has suffered a loss.

SOLACE hits just the right notes for those desirous of comfort, support, and answers in times of grief and loss. Author Roberta Temes provides readers with marvelously clear advice regarding what to expect when faced when suffering the loss of a loved one. Grief is a process that occurs in stages that each can last for months, typically starting with a sense of numbness, followed by disorganization, and reorganization. Dr. Temes assures readers that "You will get on with your life," although "It won't be the same life you had."

SOLACE provides those in grief with a sense that someone understands what they are going through, as well as ways to cope with situations, feelings and events they might never have encountered before. Temes helps to answer questions regarding to what extent something we are experiencing is normal (such as flashbulb memories involving crystal clear recollections of past events with our beloved), and provides suggestions as to how we can help ourselves through challenging times.

I love the no-nonsense suggestions Temes offers in SOLACE, as she encourages people to mourn in their own fashion, and points out resources the bereaved may not have known are available. I highly recommend SOLACE to anyone feeling lost in any of the stages of grief, as well as for those living and working with those who grieve.

If you have lost a loved one, a friend, or a co-worker, or if you've maybe experienced some trauma that has changed your life, grieving that event is perfectly normal and natural.

It is through grief and the grieving process, that we are able to heal, and to find new strength to help us continue on our journey that is life.

In Roberta Teme's new book, Solace: Finding Your Way Through Grief and Learning to Live Again, the author gives the reader practical advice in a compassionate way to help us as individuals cope with our loss.

The author suggests helpful ways to help those who are grieving. Two sections which I found very interesting were: Helping Children Who Are Grieving, and a section on Rituals and Remembering. If you or someone you know has experience a loss, you might want to consider this self-help/grief book. It was very good.

Solace, touched my heart and soul. As a hospice volunteer, I have read dozens and dozens of books about the grieving process. This particular book shed new light and insight and information. Dr. Temes speaks from her heart as well as her clinical and professional experiences. Solace is thoughtful, philosophical and incredibly practical. Simple and good advice prevails. Solace also includes a compilation of personal vignettes from a variety of individuals, each of whom has experienced a great loss. These are real stories with real suggestions. I think the part of Solace which I personally found most meaningful was the chapter called "Rituals and Remembering." However, there is another chapter entitled, "Novel Ways to Help Yourself." Solace offers just what its title implies: comfort and consolation. This is a book that I will definitely share with my hospice patients, their families, fellow volunteers and all the other wonderful souls involved with hospice work.

This is a book that should be on every bookshelf as it is hard to find someone who has not suffered the loss of a loved one. I found chapter 4 (Help from Others) especially useful...I never thought of looking for websites on this topic.

The part I liked best however was the format of her book. I enjoyed reading the contributions of people coming from all over the place. It gives the book a whole different perspective and makes you feel like you can really connect with someone who has gone through the same things.

Although this is a serious topic, there is a bit of humor in it too. I have to admit that some of the examples of the humorous epitaphs made me laugh.