A Grief Observed Paperback – April 21, 2015

For anyone who has had to politely swallow empty platitudes from well-meaning idiots after losing a loved one.

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Jeffery Berry

April 22, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book should be on the list of anyone who has suffered a loss and had to swallow platitudes about "God's plan" or "they're in a better place" from well-meaning people who don't have the faintest idea what they're talking about. Lewis, as always, sits down next to you and validates your grief like a true friend. He lets you rage, and cry, and even be furious with God, just as he did.

13 people found this helpful

A search for faith at a most tragic time for the readers.

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Richard R. Mccormick

August 12, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I first read this work after we had lost our dear son. It took time before I was ready to absorb the content of the wrenching passage through grief that Lewis presented, but I found some important understanding that helped. I have reread the work several times and have gained more each time.
I have since given this book to others that have suffered losses. I do think that it would not resonate that well with someone that was not in that awful place of grieving for a loved one. Without that pall, I think the reader may fail to grasp what Lewis is telling us.
Fair warning. This is not "easy" reading, but it can be an important help.

18 people found this helpful

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silentminority

Healing on every page

March 22, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear."
With that sentence the book starts, and immediately every human being, living or dead, understands what Lewis means. I've felt it; you have, too. The rest of it simply works through from that one opening sentence. Even if (impossibly!) you've never known grief, reading this helps you understand that of others. One of the most valuable books ever written.

10 people found this helpful

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paul sellers

A very significant work

September 4, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A journal written by C.S. Lewis from his personal experience upon the death of his wife. He tells of the shock, the stress, the doubts and frustrations with God and then his realization that in the long run there is a reason for our trials and God was with him all the time. His experience mirrored mine and Lewis shows way to cope. One of the very best grief novels that I have read since the loss of my wife December 2016. I recommend this book to anyone working their way through grief.

8 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Short and Easy to Read

December 2, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have read a dozen C.S. Lewis books, including The Problem of Pain, with which A Grief Observed is often contrasted, the first intellectualizing suffering, the latter personal and laden with emotion. The book is certainly introspective and if one is seeking to learn another dimension of Lewis it may be enlightening; I found it lightweight--when measured by helpfulness in dealing with the loss of a loved one. Madeleine L"Engle, in her preface reminds the reader that Lewis' loss (and suffering) is contextual, e.g., true love tragically cut short...more like a newly wed and quite different than losing a spouse after decades. In sum, if one wants to expand their range of Lewis reading then add this book to your list, but if you are looking for a supportive book about dealing with grief, consider the unique circumstances for which you seek insight.

7 people found this helpful

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April 4, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A great sense of comfort during my grieving time. I re-read the passages I highlighted.
Amazing how in tune with his loss is to my own. I was amazed how better I felt as I shared his pain and new I was not alone. If a man who has lost your wife , special love, do yourself a favor and read C.S. Lewis "A Grief Observed". Once read, you will understand and find comfort. I did.

5 people found this helpful

Thoughts for the grieving

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Diane Pope

March 2, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

They keep getting cheaper with the printing of books and this one is no exception. As someone that is grieving I appreciated Lewis' honesty as he questions God and struggles to understand his wife's death. . My son that died would have appreciated his exploration of life. I'm thankful that this memoir got published.

4 people found this helpful

I use this book in grief counseling. I have ...

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Most recent customer reviews

Deborah L. Jensen

I use this book in grief counseling. I have my clients read it and I share parts of it in the groups I facilitate. It’s an honest look at the pain of losing your spouse.

Published 3 days ago

Gale

Great book for anyone in grief

I lead a Grief support group and buy these books by the dozen so I can give them to others. This is a wonderful book that let me know I was not the only one experiencing all the...Read more

Published 13 days ago

L. Hale

Comforting and real

Like sitting down and conversing with a dear friend about the loss of their spouse. As I am in the early weeks of widowhood myself, this small book is a real comfort and...Read more

Published 21 days ago

Nick wood

a world of melancholia and painful introspection. His writing beckons back to Job's charges ...

"There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says. Or perhaps, hard to want to take it in. It is so uninteresting.Read more

Published 25 days ago

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Good book

Required reading when on a journey with loss

Dellaripa

This book anchored me during a painful period of loss. It gave me validation and it gave me thought.Read more

Complete lack of quality control

mark

This is one of C.S. Lewis’ best works. Unfortunately the hardback copies I purchased from Amazon were total CRAP. HarperOne should be embarrassed to produce such garbage!Read more

Great writer with a good review. Have not read yet.

Patricia Bignall

Five Stars

This was given to a family member who recently had ...

theresa

This was given to a family member who recently had a loss of traumatic proportions, and was very moved by the contents.

Written by one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century, Lewis, in brutal honesty, bares his doubt for faith in God for all to see.Read more

Nick Watts

Powerful