Rating: 
Summary: Only read this book during grief, not before.
Review: The first time I read this book, I didn't "get it." I read it again after my grandmother died. Then it made sense. Grief isn't doubting, nor is it questioning, but it is an emotion that is even less rational than most emotions.This book presents Lewis "working through" his grief. He doesn't come to any conclusions per se. In fact, this book doesn't quite have a beginning. But it is a snapshot of a grief-journey that is common to us all. I am amazed at one thing: since grief is so common, why don't we understand it more? This book sheds some light on a faithful man's grief.
Rating:
Summary: More CS Lewis..........
Review: When CS Lewis writes, his words at times, are almost our "other voice", the one we should probably listen harder for but because we are just earthly human beings do not. His sense of life and lifes multi-purposes permeate your soul and leave you thirsty for more. A GRIEF OBSERVED is an accounting of his beloved wife's death. But it is more than that. It is interesting to see him vacillate between his faith in God and his anger and frustration towards that same God. Although Lewis is not always coherent, the reader will understand especially if they themselves have experienced a devastating loss, that chaotic wavering of thoughts, that weaves in and out in the darkened halls of your mind, hopeful, in bringing you finally to a peaceful clearing. I have the collection of CS Lewis works but if you must have one or two, THE PROBLEM WITH PAIN and A GRIEF OBSERVED is a good place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful for working through grief
Review: I recently gave this to my grandmother after my grandfather passed away. It really helped her work through her grief as well as her anger at G-d.
Rating: 
Summary: raw emotion-- a rare treat
Review: Reading "A Grief Observed" is somewhat like seeing into a man's soul. Or maybe just his heart. As you turn the pages, it doesn't feel like you are reading a lecture on God or death or the meaning of life. Instead, it is as if you are seeing inside C.S. Lewis' mind, feeling his grief, watching it sculpt and be sculpted by his thoughts. He contradicts himself, changes his mind, wonders out loud. A friend of mine asked me what the book was about, and I told him it was "emotional vomit." C.S. Lewis, going through a very difficult time in his life, just puked his thoughts onto the page. It isn't always clear what he's saying or where he's headed--it probably wasn't clear to him when he wrote it--but it is genuine. And to read something that pure and heartfealt truly is a rare treat.
Rating:
Summary: I never fail to learn something new from Lewis
Review: The wonderful thing about C.S. Lewis was that he put an amazing amount of thought into his faith. He understood better than most that becoming a Christian meant constantly trying to understand more, to examine both one's self and one's relationship to God. His penetrating intellegence towards Christianity is something that is often lacking in religion, and every time I read Lewis I learn something new, both about myself and my faith. Lewis is a true master. Another author who I'd highly recomend to anyone who enjoys Lewis, one who explores the Christian faith as brilliantly as Lewis, is Brian Caldwell. His novel, We All Fall Down is breathtaking. I'd put him on a par with Lewis, both for writing ability and theological brilliance. His novel is one of the few Christian masterpieces. Both Lewis and Caldwell should be read by those who have discovered God and want to explore that faith as deeply as possible, and perhaps more importantly, by those who have not.
Rating:
Summary: Comforting AND Challenging
Review: Five months ago, I lost a dear friend and in that time, many have felt compelled to recommend books to me on grief. It is this one, however, that has helped my wounded heart the most. I consider C.S. Lewis one of the greatest minds and authors ever - and to hear his honesty and questioning of God in the face of great tragedy made me realize that all I was feeling was "okay" in a sense. And so I continue through the pain, comforted by the writings of this man, and learning from him as well. I would recommend this book to anyone going through the mourning process. And even if you are not, it is good to read to help identify with those who are.
Rating:
Summary: Tender, Moving, Honest
Review: C.S. Lewis's humanity comes across in A Grief Observed more so than in any of his other books. In most of his work, we get the "keep a stiff uppper lip" attitude, and even though that is not a completely bad attitude to have, we all must cry sometimes-- even master defenders of the Christian faith like C.S. Lewis. Orginally, Lewis published A Grief Observed using a pseudonym because as the world's foremost Christian writer, he feared he would be labelled an apostate. The first chapters of the book come across as the work of a man who has lost his faith. Lewis says, for instance, that he shouted at God. But by the book's end, (Hope I'm not giving too much away here) Lewis's heart is calmed and his faith is restored to full strength because it is by his faith that he understands that he will get to see his beloved Joy again some day. This book made me cry, but it made me smile too. It is powerful and worthy of being read by all. Also, be sure to read "Castle of Wisdom" by Rhett Ellis-- it will make you cry and laugh too, and it is probably the best Christian fiction I have read in the past few years.
Rating:
Summary: His Honesty, his Humanity!
Review: I had in a sense no right to buy this book. The privacy of Mr. C.S. Lewis and his departed wife is not my business. How could I intrude on them? I rightly see what he meant. This book was to comfort others of a similar situation. I read it humbly and slowly. The emotions were raw enough. The honesty I salute. It shows in the first place lost faith; only to be reborn. The primary ideas I should not say because I don't want to trivialize them. You, the Reader, have to see them for what they are without my interference. However, I can say this: "A Grief Observed" is philosophically put together. Every page has a depth of insight coupled by anger, sorrow, frustration. I have empathy for him. But I believe that he is with 'her' now. As is always the case with C.S Lewis, we are given a masterful piece of writing. I cannot enough say how good this book is. If you, or another, should lose a loved one, read this book. Once you are done, read Viktor E. Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." The two of them will help you greatly. I hope I have helped.
Rating:
Summary: CS Lewis...my kindred spirit
Review: I went on a CS Lewis buying spree and this is the first one I received from Amazon.com. What an amazing book. I felt like I was reading my own journal. CS Lewis is just showing the world that we are only human and yes christians are human also. I have a feeling that christians feel they must be perfect and that they must never ever get depressed or be sorrowful over a death,etc. We christians should never question anything. Also, more important that if something like death happens we should never grieve. I know personally that I was especially grievious over childhood traumas that stole my whole life. I'm 27 but I feel as if I am seven. My christianity and trust in the Lord has gone astray but not totally shipwrecked as I struggled to understand things. I think God understands our human weaknesses. Isn't this what the whole point of Hebrews was? Jesus, being God in flesh knows our weaknesses. Get this book. I would get anything Lewis wrote anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, but COMFORTING? That Depends!
Review: Like most reviewers here, I really can't say enough about the powerful impact this book has. It's only 88 pages, but contains more raw emotion, personal introspection/self-examination, and hard-hitting truths than books 4 or 5 times it's size. I was not familiar with C.S. Lewis before reading this book, but will certainly read him now. I will also read this book repeatedly, as I'm sure it's full force can only be realized this way. O.K then, so why only the 4 stars? I suppose if I had known nothing about the book, read none of these reviews (which prompted me to buy it), and most importantly, paid no attention to the "subtitle", I would have unhesitatingly given it 5 stars. The "subtitle" on my copy reads "A Masterpiece of Rediscovered Faith Which Has Comforted Thousands". I must say, I don't find this book all that comforting, at least from a Christian perspective. Yes, Lewis finally comes to the realization that God is not a "Cosmic Sadist", but, with the author having the reputation of being one of the leading Christian apologists of this century, I was expecting more of a "Rediscovered Faith" (in Christ) then what gets presented. Lewis' "breakthrough" seems to consist merely of two points: One, that he finally noticed that the less he grieved, the more he felt the "realness" of H's (his deceased wifes) presence, and two, he ultimately senses a presence of her that seems "business-like". Then, the book abruptly ends. (I don't take fault with this as it's really a journal, not a "book"). That being said, the book is simply too powerful to ignore based on this one criticism. Lewis puts into words what most of us can not even fully realize with our minds. And, to be sure, Lewis sees his new found faith as more "real" and "mature" than the one "built like a house of cards". Read it! But a word of warning to Christians - it is not clear, to me at least, that Lewis' "Rediscovered Faith" has much to do with Jesus.
|
