On Grief and Grieving

By: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, David Kessler

Narrated by: David Kessler, Samantha Desz

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Shortly before her death in 2004, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler, her collaborator, completed the manuscript for this, her final book. On Grief and Grieving is a fitting completion to her work. Thirty-six years and 16 books ago, Kübler-Ross' groundbreaking On Death and Dying changed the way we talk about the end of life. Now On Grief and Grieving will profoundly influence the way we experience the process of grief. 

On Death and Dying began as a theoretical book, an interdisciplinary study of our fear of death and our inevitable acceptance of it. It introduced the world to the now-famous five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. On Grief and Grieving applies these stages to the process of grieving and weaves together theory, inspiration, and practical advice, all based on Kübler-Ross' and Kessler's professional and personal experiences, and is filled with brief, topic-driven stories. It includes sections on sadness, hauntings, dreams, coping, children, healing, isolation, and even the subject of sex during grief. 

"I know death is close", Kübler-Ross says at the end of the book, "but not quite yet. I lie here like so many people over the years, in a bed surrounded by flowers and looking out a big window.... I now know that the purpose of my life is more than these stages.... It is not just about the life lost but also the life lived." 

In one of their final writing sessions, Kübler-Ross told Kessler, "The last nine years have taught me patience, and the weaker and more bed-bound I become, the more I'm learning about receiving love." On Grief and Grieving is Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's final legacy, one that brings her life's work profoundly full circle.

©2005 Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

If you fear death after loss, DON'T READ.

This book is just a bunch of stories about people grieving. There is really little to no advice on how to grieve or move forward. The book really stresses that there is no one way to do that, which is kind of nice. It has some insight. But if you experience a lot of fear and anxiety around death as a result of your loss or losses, this book is not for you. Some of the stories about how people died so tragically and oddly made me even more terrified of death. I bought this book thinking I could feel more healed or get some hope, but all I got was more fear of death.

Excellent content

Excellent content.
Samantha Desz was a great reader-interpreter. David Kessler, although he wrote the words, and no doubt understood them completely, did not express or read them well. His voice was difficult to listen to and he didn’t have the smoothness and clarity that the female reader had. I wish editors- producers understood the importance of using trained vocal performers for audible programs. Even if the author wants to read their own work, I don’t believe they are always the best choice.

Profoundly valuable

My father died very suddenly and I found all the emotions overwhelming, this book has really changed all the chaos into some meaningful process that I can now allow and understand.

Supportive book. Required reading for the soul and spirit to heal.

Excellent book, it is filled with love and kindness. It is totally supportive, soothing, compassionate and understanding, and is the magic tool to help begin to grieve our great and tremendous losses in life...thank you.

Profound understanding about grief

This book is the best to understand grief thoroughly I have ever read. It describes the pain I am going though and I am not along. It touched all my nerves with sympathy. It assured me i can never get over the pain, but carry it over, although I missed my dad badly.

Comforting and enlightening

After losing my husband of 20 years, I was lost and overwhelmed. This book helped me to understand what I was feeling and to resist labeling my grief and trying to explain how I feel to friends and family.

This book helped heal my heart

I lost my Brother in 2019 and my nephew, his son, in 2021. This book helped heal my heart. The writing is beautiful and the performance is really lovely and easy to listen to. I listened to this book three times in a row. I recommend it to anyone who is dealing with the grief of losing someone you love to death.

Helpful

I read this book seeking help and guidance for the recent death of my son. The authors do a great job covering the stages of grief and storytelling with a lot of relevant, real world examples of those who’ve lost loved ones. I personally learned a lot, was able to relate, and the book offered differing outlooks at times than what I’ve had. I found it helpful and hopeful.

Really great read to explain the fluidity of grief and grieving

Really great read to explain the fluidity of grief and grieving. Relatable, makes you feel like you are not alone. Wish there would have been more focus on those who have lost children, but I realize that is a more niche subject. This was a helpful and insightful read. Much of it resonated. Would recommend to anyone who has lost someone.

Just what I needed.

Excellent and most helpful at this point in my life. I’ve recently lost my father and lost my mother 17 years ago. Helped me understand many things of both losses.

Helpful

This book was recommended to me as I struggled to accept the stagnant feeling of grief. The steps or stages of grief are explained and even though I bought the hard copy book, I lacked the concentration levels to actually read it so Audible books came to mind and it really helped having it read to me. I can’t say I feel better, I am grieving and will be for a while. But, I do accept the path I’m on, the feelings, emotions and stress that I have daily are easier to accept when you can understand why you are feeling this way. I recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t grieved or is struggling with grief.

loved it

I am so glad I listened to this book. I listened to one chapter a day.

Thought provoking

Didn't really find the book interesting but nonetheless it made me think about a range of situations and possibilities. At one point it felt that there was too many references to religion, which I found somewhat off putting, however this didn't not continue throughout the whole book. Introduction to the concept of the five stages of a loss was a key part and can be read as a standalone piece for those who do not want to read the full book.

Brilliant.

This is a great book. As a student counsellor I found this book very informative, very interesting and educative.

A handbook for life

This book should be core reading for everyone who has a life. Definitely need to teach children how to grieve well.

A must for the bereaved.

Well narrated with empath and care. The content is very helpful making sense of the darkest of times.

Overall helpful but a little dated now

Having recently lost my father, a good friend bought this book for me. It has definitely helped me to understand the process of grieving and not to be shocked by the thoughts and reactions I am currently experiencing. However, there were points that I found hard to relate with as it’s quite dated now and is also written by an American, so things slightly differed to the UK.

A lovely book

A really useful book for my counselling course. Beautifully read and full of real case studies

Essential

Listening to this book over the last few weeks has helped me navigate what initially seemed impossible. Understanding what is happening to me after losing my mum is helping to heal and I know that I will be able to live well. I know that the sadness is the love, to go with the waves when they come and know that they will subside for a while, leaving space for the many happy memories.

Practical guide for the bereaved

Enlightening perspective on the grieving process. Highly recommendable for the bereaved and those near them.