Grief Works

Stories of Life, Death and Surviving

By: Julia Samuel

Narrated by: Julia Samuel

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Grief Works, written and read by Julia Samuel.

Death is the last taboo in our society, and grief is still profoundly misunderstood. So many of us feel awkward and uncertain around death, and shy away from talking honestly with family and friends. Grief Works is a compassionate guide that will inform and engage anyone who is grieving, from the 'expected' death of a parent to the sudden unexpected death of a small child, and provide clear advice for those seeking to comfort the bereaved.

With deeply moving case studies of real people's stories of loss, and brilliantly accessible and practical advice,Grief Works will be passed down through generations as the definitive guide for anyone who has lost a loved one, and revolutionise the way we talk about life, loss and death.

Critic reviews

A profoundly moving book by an extraordinary storyteller - Julia Samuel describes her patients' stories of loss with great sensitivity and fascinating psychological insight. Essential for anyone who has ever experienced grief, or wanted to comfort a bereaved friend (Helen Fielding, bestselling author of 'Bridget Jones' Diary')

Fascinating. A wise and compassionate book full of insight and understanding that would help anyone experiencing grief, or those surrounding them. I am so glad this book exists. (Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of 'The Last Act of Love')

What an amazing book! I absolutely LOVE it. Intelligent, empathetic, modest, funny, and learned - it's an amazing feat. (Rabbi Julia Neuberger)

A wonderfully important and transforming book - lucid, consoling and wise. (William Boyd, bestselling author of 'Sweet Caress')

Julia Samuel's wise, compassionate voice speaks out on every page of this exceptionally moving book offering courage and hope: emotions that are sometimes inaudible and and unattainable to those who grieve. Her exceptional understanding of the way human beings think/love/mourn makes Grief Works an invaluable guide to understanding the complex emotions around death. Through the inspirational stories of those many people she has helped, both the dying and the surviving, Julia Samuel dissipates fear and demonstrates the extraordinary resilience of humankind. (Juliet Nicolson, author of 'A House Full of Daughters')

Grief

Very insightful and authentic. The different stories helps in understanding grief in dynamic way. Thank you Julia.

some good information, but...

Would you try another book from Julia Samuel and/or Julia Samuel?

The author clearly has a great deal of empathy and sympathy for the bereaved. The book presents a broad range of clinical studies based on her actual clients who have lost family members, and in some cases, people in the painful process of facing death themselves.

I lost my dear wife almost 2 years ago, but I am still seeking help to deal with that. While I found some useful, relatable information here, be warned that many of the case studies are so heartbreaking this book is just as likely to trigger bad associations as it is to help you to heal. At times, the book wanders from the first-person memoir to self-help, to an approach so clinical it seems to be intended for other therapists. Her delivery does not help - though a jaunty speaking style would not be appropriate given the subject matter, Ms (Dr?) Sameul's soft, emotionless voice is so cold, it makes me think that she herself has been (understandably so) traumatized by her years of working with the bereaved. All this considered, I would still recommend the book, but suggest the written form would be a better choice, as you can skim through some of the truly heartbreaking stories and seek out the ones you find best relate to your own loss. And I would recommend it for clinicians as well.

My dear wife was a wonderful psychotherapist - it's not without irony that I would have suggested she read it herself. If you are curious about this book because you have lost a loved one, my heart goes out to you. Stay active - don't get lost in your own darkness - don't wait for friends to ask what they can do - reach out for the help you need or the quicksand of grief will be too hard to pull yourself out. How we experience grief is a deeply personal thing - there is no right or wrong way to work through it. Find what works for you. As my dear wife would tell her clients, "If nothing changes, nothing changes." It seems insurmountable at first, but find something every day that allows out to feel like you are moving forward.

Stay strong.

Would you be willing to try another book from Julia Samuel? Why or why not?

possibly - more likely if she uses another reader next time

Would you be willing to try another one of Julia Samuel’s performances?

no

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

oh hell yeah! An anthology about people losing family to death would be SO entertaining!