Beyond the Grey Sky

The Incredible True Story of a Tragic Loss Which Led One Survivor to Meaning, Redemption and Hope

By: Dustin Ruge

Narrated by: Ric Chetter

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Suicide claims over one million lives worldwide, each year. In the United States alone, suicide has become the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 35. It has literally become a national epidemic resulting in 47,000 deaths per year, or more than twice the number of homicides.

Beyond the Grey Sky is the first major publication of its kind to truly help explain the impacts of suicide on both our physical and spiritual beings. It tells the incredible true story of a tragic death and a survivor’s unique journey that will forever change what we believe and know about suicide.

Praise for Beyond the Grey Sky:

“Dustin Ruge, departing from his previous best-selling books, pours his heart out in Beyond the Grey Sky. Approaching the 17th anniversary of his brother David’s death by suicide, with unvarnished prose and rich anecdotes, he captures the essence of their relationship and his personal journey of healing. Like so many who die by suicide, David didn’t always feel like he fit into the world we live in. Ruge is a gifted writer - I was transported from laughing out loud (ala David Sedaris) into being moved to tears. This book is a must-read for everyone, not just survivors of suicide loss.” (Michael F. Myers, MD, professor of clinical psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, and author of Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss (with Carla Fine) and Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared)

“This is one of the most powerful books on suicide we have ever read. We believe that if everybody could read this incredible story they would not consider suicide.” (Dale and Dar (Darlene) Emme, Founders of Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program)

"Beyond the Gray Sky by Dustin Ruge is his own soul-searching journey in the aftermath of his step brother's suicide. He shares the experience of his shattered world and the spirit world's subsequent intervention with candor and awe. Ruge's search for meaning in his own life and in his brother’s life is compelling. Other suicide loss survivors will relate to his story and will read with curiosity and wonder." (Iris Bolton, author of My Son, My Son: A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss or Suicide and Voices of Healing and Hope, Conversations on Grief after Suicide, grief counselor, director emeritus of the Link Counseling Center in Atlanta, Georgia)

“Dustin’s story is a heartfelt account about love, grief and our life-long connection we have to our loved ones who have left this world.”-Friends for Survival, Inc.“Beyond the Grey Sky brings to light the “human factor” and a real look at how suicide impacts not only loved ones, but even acquaintances will be impacted to some degree over such a loss. As a Suicidology Researcher and I know firsthand the tragedy that follows a death by suicide. The “ripple effect” never ceases, the ripples just become less pronounced. However, I know lives can be saved by reading this book.” (Olivia Johnson, DM, Blue Wall Institute)

©2019 Dustin W. Ruge (P)2020 Dustin W. Ruge

Great Listen

As a survivor of suicide loss myself, this book really hit home and touches on the elements beyond the clinical which everybody should be aware of. I can see why so many thought leaders have endorsed this book.

Not what I expected

Not sure where t start, but this was a bit “weak” in concept and content. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and mostly I feel like they are good. This one over promised and under delivered. Pitched as THE solution to the suicide problem in society, it did not even touch on the essence of suicidal ideation in young people, and even got as far as “guilting” the person who is in distress. This could be VERY triggering for someone who is suicidal and therefore not a safe read. This publication misses many parts of the WHY and that is too bad.