A Grief Observed

by C. S. Lewis

PLOT SYNOPSIS

Death and loss are easier to understand when experienced by someone else. But when the loss becomes a part of your own life, rational arguments and logical conclusions quickly give way to crippling emotions. These personal notes of C.S. Lewis show how he tried to work through the devastation of losing his wife to cancer. They are the slow journey of a broken man battling uncertainty, grief, and anger and coming out the other side as someone more whole than when he began.

Series: Single Book

Age Recommendation: 13+

Warning: Conversations of death and religious doubt

Faith Based: Yes

ISBN: 978-00606-5238-8

Overall

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Story/Plot

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Consistency

THE BOTTOM LINE

These raw notes show how different tragedy is when experienced versus simply observed, give us permission to grieve, and provide hope that loss is not the end.

THOUGHTS…

C.S Lewis is a master of theology and Christianity. As one of the greatest apologists to ever live, it is easy to build him up as something larger than life, almost immune to the mundane lives we all live. A Grief Observed will destroy that façade in a heartbeat. An exceedingly short read, this volume was never intended to be published but is the personal notes of a heart-broken human. The thoughts are rambling and disjointed at times. Unlike Lewis’s other works, everything written here should not be taken at face value. He questions God, postulates ideas which are false, and is very human on the journey of learning and acceptance. In a very real way, this book gives the rest of us permission to grieve. Lewis demonstrates it is okay to not understand, to question God, and above all, to grieve. Just like him, you can come out the far end stronger for your sufferings.

RANTS AND RAMBLES (SPOILER WARNING)

- I have no rants about this book. It is good and deserves a read.

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