A Grief Observed

De: C. S. Lewis

Narrado por: Douglas Gresham

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!

The transparency in which he takes the reader through his pain is beautiful!

A Grief Witnessed is one of the most beautiful compilations of candor I have ever read concerning one's life! I absolutely recommend it! I recently lost my youngest son. This book helped me to properly categorize and understand my own Grief.

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.

Refreshing

Though very short, I'm glad I bought it on audible. I have a feeling it is something I will listen to more than once. Though I have not lost as much as Lewis, nor feel as crushed as he is by his loss, I appreciated the honesty, sincerity, and eventual return to reason as I am accustomed to. Maybe what struck me most was his unafraid approach to question God as well as his own questioning of God. It seems strange to phrase it that way, but he looked closely at God as much as he looked at himself and his own feelings, fears, and prejudices. That he was brave enough to confront both himself and God... then publish the journey is amazing and a further testament to Christians and non-Christians. I was personally afraid what I would find in a book that doubted God. What I found was in actuality refreshing, encouraging, and educational for me and my faith. He's done it again for me - thanks Lewis!

Honest, transparent and a blessing to the reader

Experiencing deep grief revealed how much of my life I was lived with eyes wide shut. The #audible book a Grief Observed was a blessing to read. It was like being invited into the mind of great philosopher and theologian as he struggled to become whole or something nearer to it after losing his beloved wife. Instead of a methodical listing of feelings and well meaning platitudes. CS Lewis instead shows us how one can work through grief and be better for it with honesty, transparency and an enduring faith.

Grief

As a fan of Lewis this did not disappoint me. His writing is wonderful to listen to being read and Douglas Gresham does a very nice job. Lewis, after the death of his wife wrote on the subject of grief with great honesty and emotion. As with most of Lewis's books, I will be listening to it several times.

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.