A Grief Observed Audiobook By C. S. Lewis cover art

A Grief Observed

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A Grief Observed

By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
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Written after his wife's tragic death as a way of surviving the "mad midnight moments", 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.

©1961 C.S. Lewis Pte., Ltd. (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks Christian Literature & Art Christian Living Christianity Death & Grief Family Grief & Loss Personal Development Relationships Religious Studies Sociology Spirituality Inspiring Grief Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"A very personal, anguished, luminous little book about the meaning of death, marriage, and religion." (Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: 95+ C.S. Lewis Quotes About Love, Life, Faith, Bravery, and Friendship


Born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1898, C.S. Lewis is perhaps one of the most esteemed and beloved authors of all time. His acclaimed classics range from The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series to the theologically-specific Mere Christianity. As one of the world’s most respected authors, Lewis’s words of wisdom continue to inspire countless readers and listeners. Here are our favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis about friendship, love, life, and faith.

Featured Article 95+ CS Lewis Quotes About Love Life Faith Bravery and Friendship
Raw Emotional Honesty • Profound Theological Insights • Soothing Voice • Eloquent Grief Description • Excellent Narration
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Lewis captures what it is like to lose someone that you passionately love. This is not a theoretical book but a description of very personal feelings.

Lewis was familiar with grief

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“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear…” Have you lost someone you love recently? Have you struggled to process the feelings and thoughts that come with loss? Me too. Lewis too. This short book records his thoughts and railings during his grief caused by the death of his wife. As a parent, some of the most comforting moments I have had are to see other parents struggling like I do and in that moment to realize that I am not alone. As a griever, it is powerful to know that you are not alone in those feelings. Lewis journals his thoughts, and feelings as he works through the healing process. In the end, only time has the power to start to heal the hurt.

I recommend this to the grievers, and those supporting them.
(Rated G, Score 7/10)

No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear

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Where does A Grief Observed rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorite books in CS Lewis's many publications (well above the Chronicles of Narnia) and for that reason a "must have" for a fan's audiobook library.

What did you like best about this story?

A Grief Observed is the book I assign to students to contrast the persona CS Lewis puts forth in his other books (a witty but erudite, at times elitist, academic). Suddenly the effects of fame and polish of education fall away from Lewis, leaving behind a nonetheless brilliant, sensitive, and humble man his intimates knew as "Jack."

Which scene was your favorite?

For students of gender, the passage where Lewis considers how his wife was for him not only in diverse ways, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a wife but also a host of other masculine identities shows a clear break from a more authoritarian and demarcated binary for gender that Lewis establishes in some of his other works.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book will at once inspire and break readers down as they spend time with a sincere, uncertain, and grieving man.

"Jack" takes the stage as CS Lewis falls to pieces

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This is not the familiar intellectual C.S. Lewis that is expressed in his other works. Rather, this is Lewis at his lowest and at a time when academic truths seem to be at odds with the pain of reality. In loss he states what he truly feels but most dare not speak and examines himself in what he believes to be his naked form. It is a beautiful book about the reality of grief and loss with a great performance that brings the tone that is needed.

A Brutally Honest Experience with Loss

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Wonderfully written about the list painful subject matter. The reader/narrated does the most excellent job. I lost my son and of all the books I’ve read and listened to, this was the most beautiful. Thank you

All the truths of grief

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Very refreshing to hear and feel the raw emotions and thoughts of a fair thinker.

A heart exposed

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I, too, have known grief of loss. The loss of both parents, 2/3 of my siblings and a spouse and I found myself astounded by Mr. Lewis’ explanation of experiencing grief. It was almost as if his intellect was detached and observing his physical grief from a distant corner of the room. Perhaps this how great minds operate.

The sheer intelligence of Mr. C.S. Lewis

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This is a wonderful raw set of letters or journal entries from a mourning man.

Wonderful

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... and when there are no words, c.s.lewis lays a foundation for comfort - courage

, and when there are..no words

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I know I've read this before, but it means much more after someone you love dies. I totally get the rant-----as if I could fall in love with a memory; I don't want the memory, I want H----C.S. Lewis said something to that effect and now I completely understand what he meant. And then the image of her at the end and the road to healing---the book was fantastic. It's all so beautiful, he says it so well, and I am very grateful that someone like C.S. Lewis lived and wrote such beautiful, profound things.

So Beautiful!

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