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Summary: His Grief Reflected My Grief
Review: C. S. Lewis' book A GRIEF OBSERVED was immeasurably helpful to me as I struggled - and still struggle - to come to grips with the death of my brother. Knowing that Lewis was a deeply religious man, I was reassured that even the religious have doubts about God's goodness. I also found his discussion of the notion of one's faith being tested in times of trouble, highly personal and relevant. I am sending this book to my mother, and others, who still struggles with an abrupt and seemingly final loss.
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Summary: Lewis coming to terms with God and loss of Joy ( his wife)
Review: A heart wrenching little book by Jack Lewis. Originally a journal to record his feelings and fears, this is a classic trial of faith. Lewis is well known for his apologetics works, his logic, his wit, and his deep sense of Christianity. Yet here, after losing the woman he had come to love so much, everything is thrown into dismay and despair. God gently takes him by the hand, and walks him through this. To hear Lewis, this great Christian brother, rage and acknowledge his doubt during this trial of faith shows us we are not alone in our own trials. To anyone who has lost a spouse, very highly recommended. To anyone going through a hard time in their lives, recommended. God will always be with you, even if you can't see him. Admit your doubts and work through them, with God as your guide. C. S. Lewis called his faith a 'house of cards'. If yours is knocked down, let God walk you thru it, and have him build your faith on the firm rock of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He loves you - yield.
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Summary: A Touching Journey Into The Heart And Mind Of C.S. Lewis
Review: Originally published under the psyudonem N.W. Clerk, 'A Grief Observed' is probably one of the most personal works of literature by C.S. Lewis to date. I am a collecter of Lewis's works and I do not believe that there has ever been a book that has stimulated the mind deeper and touched the heart more intimantly than this beautiful book has. It is a truly touching journal of Lewis's doubts and fears accompaning the death of his beloved wife, Joy and even if you have never experienced a loss of this nature, you will find it difficult not to empathize with him as he leads you through the personal areas of his own sorrow, grief, and ultimate redemption. A lovely book, and a indescribable experience!
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Summary: Comfort in Grief
Review: I read this a month after my own wife's death. I found Lewis's sharing of his grief to be comforting. I found his honesty to be refreshing. You do not need to be a Christian or religious to benefit from this book. I also enjoyed the afterword by Walsh. It helped to put Lewis's book into the context of his life.
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Summary: Reflection of A Grief Observed
Review: When I read this book, I had recently lost someone dear to me. Lewis, in words I could not pull from my mental reserves, reflected the pain in my heart and soul. He questioned his faith. The most telling statement for me from the publication was his thought that God had slammed the door in his face...and bolted it on the other side. Brilliant description! Brilliant book!
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Summary: A tool for healing
Review: Of everything I've read from the pen of C.S. Lewis, this little book most thoroughly illuminated my heart. I want to buy it in bulk and give it to everyone I know.This intimate diary of real grief strips away the sensation of solitary, isolated mourning; gives the grief-stricken the permission to feel; provides true language for the emotions so difficult to articulate in the throes of sorrow; and finally offers realistic, believable hope. This is Lewis' very personal, private writing, something that wasn't written for publication, but for sanity. Those looking for a brilliant story or clever critical essay should look elsewhere, but those seeking understanding of the emotional process of grief ~ or "company for their misery" ~ will find it in this vulnerable, luminous, earnest writing.
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Summary: A Touching Book that describes a mans grief
Review: If you are not a Lewis fan, and know very little about the author, then I suggest not reading this book. Lewis describes the agony of grief to a tea. His descriptive writing helps the reader understand what he exactly went through. Though I have not gone through the grief he did, reading this book made me understand what grief is, and made me feel closer to this great Author. Lewis often wrote down what bothered him. It was a way to relieve penned up emotions, and this book is Lewis's writing that helps one see just exactly how he probably felt. I highly reccomend it.
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Summary: Very disappointed
Review: Not too much was insightful or original in this book. It seems like the same old trite cliches that have been used before to describe death. I t deals with the ordinary issues of death: Pain, suffering and how to cope with those issues as well as coping with your own mortality. Grief, sadness, heartache and coping. I found this book awfully unoriginal, dreadfully boring and quite unengaging and unappealing. Giving this book two stars is only because the writing was superb. The author articulates emotion so vividly and well. Very realistic. Every emotion was described in detail. I almost felt like it were happening to me, but it was too unrealistic, which was disappointing. Relating to this book is hard however. An interesting, but unnecessary read.
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Summary: Poignant Study of the Heart-wretch of Loss
Review: As the fine line between life and death causes mortal man to pursue God, so had Lewis when his wife died. He knew God, but need to know God through this, and to believe God had not lost the love for which He sent Christ. Did God still exist enough to make living bearable without Joy, his wife?This book is excellent for any Christian, whether Catholic or Protestant (or any other variation) going through a state of loss. After a hard breakup, this book helped pull me out of the sucking mire of despair, bringing me toward hope.Buy the inexpensive copy, because the pages will be dogeared and well-read, and you'll likely find so healing, you'll buy copies for friends.
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Summary: Captures the emotional essence of grief
Review: I read everything I could get my hands on, when I was preparing my anthology, DYING: A BOOK OF COMFORT, and I had trouble limiting my selection from this little gem of a book, because Lewis so beautifully captures the whirling sequence (or spiral) of grief emotions, and the wonderful moment when he realized that, finally, mourning his wife least, he remembered her best. -- Pat McNees
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