A Grief Observed

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Douglas Gresham

Length: 1 hr and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Written after his wife's tragic death as a way of surviving the "mad midnight moment", A Grief Observed is C.S. Lewis's honest reflection on the fundamental issues of life, death, and faith in the midst of loss. This work contains his concise, genuine reflections on that period: "Nothing will shake a man - or at any rate a man like me - out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself." This is a beautiful and unflinchingly honest record of how even a stalwart believer can lose all sense of meaning in the universe, and how he can gradually regain his bearings.

©1996 C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Finding the Lord in Loss

One of the greatest questions to ever cross my mind is whether or not God, in his omniscience, allows pain. What would be it's purpose? C. S. Lewis's brief book speaks of the loss of his wife and how, though he asked God for the reasons behind such suffering, he did not lose his faith. In fact, his faith in the Lord was strengthened. I very much enjoyed a few sentences in his last chapter: "Heaven will solve our problems, but not, I think, by showing us subtle reconciliations between all our apparently contradictory notions. The notions will all be knocked from under our feet. We shall see that there never was any problem." God is in control, always. And, even if it takes loss to bring that revelation, thank you, Lord, for giving us the chance to open our eyes to Your Will and Love. Douglas Gresham wonderfully narrated C. S. Lewis's brilliant book!

A true gem for the hurting

A Grief Observed is one of C. S. Lewis’s most honest and vulnerable writings. Love how open he is with all the questions and challenges that death brings to us all. Highly recommend it to any who not only are looking for answers but solace in knowing someone so dedicated to God could be shaken yet still stand with great hope in the end.

Excellent Insights

I’ve recently read several books regarding grief since the death of a fiercely loved grandson. “A Grief Observed” has been the most helpful so far. Lewis, using his journal notes, takes the listener with him on his journey through grief, rebellion against God, and deep pain to a place of peace in the midst of pain. Definitely worth a listen or a read.

Excellent thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed taking this thoughtful journey with someone as insightful as CS Lewis. Highly recommend.

Good to listen to.

This book is about the lose of his wife. I lost our only child. Although the two are not the same. This was still helpful to listen to.

Beautiful and Raw

Unlike any Lewis I've read, but so important. He documents his struggle with bold honesty. He's one of the greats and I'm thankful for this book.

Know grief better

I am currently in a state of grief. This book title came to mind one morning moments after I woke and grief filled me again. I had seen the movie Shadowlands A few years ago. This book, read by CS Lewis’s stepson, is a great stage play for the mental wrestling match which occurs when one is experiencing extreme grief. It addresses all the theological and personal questions one encounters and this experience in the way that only CS Lewis can construe. I listened to it three times over a very long weekend. There is perspective, more understanding solace, and peace to be found within this book. Thank you great man; rest in peace with your beloved and our Creator.

A Great and Comforting Book

This is an amazing book on how to handle grief, especially the death of a loved one. Douglas Gresham does a wonderful job reading this book, especially since it deals with a topic so close to him.

Endearing Sorrow while Surprising Relief

I am awestruck by the depth and height of his giant intellect yet this time drawn into the shared human and very personal sorrow of losing your beloved soulmate to death in expressions I understand and find so very helpful. The sting is real and the hope of strength to bear is lit by an other world hand whose presence grows with each chapter. C.S. Lewis is truly a gifted friend to share his grief with us in descriptions his alone, marvelously classic.

Deeply Personal and Poignant

Having lost my grandparents, first daughter, dad, then mom I know how anguishing and personal a death can be. Each death affected me differently. While I can't imagine (as of this moment, and hopefully not for a very long time if at all) how the death of my wife will affect me, I can only imagine that I will take it differently from any of the other deaths, but probably not exactly the same as anybody else. What makes this book particularly poignant and powerful to me is that besides voicing his pain, anguish and anger he fully realizes that he didn't really feel those emotions they were foolish frailties resultant from our fallen state. Not meaning that they shouldn't be voiced but they do not mean any actual doubts or more importantly a lack of attention from God. I also really liked the two introductions and knowing that the reader of my version is C.S. Lewis's adopted son really added a new depth to it all. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are going through a death or wanting to be there for someone who is!