Lament For a Son

Wolterstorff has written a brief, yet poingnantly reflective book on his journey through the valley of grief. He lost his 25 year-old son to a tragic mountain climbing accident, and wrote this book as he writes in the preface "to give voice to [his] grief." He continues "Though it is intensely personal, I have decided now to publish it, in the hope that it will be of help to some of those who find themselves with us in the company of mourners."

This book is powerfully moving and brought tears to my eyes when I first read it. Wolterstorff voices many of the often unspoken feelings that mourners go through- from intense sadness to anger, to questioning, to longing for the loved one whom has died.

His reflections are powerful yet concise, show more and he has written the book in the style of a journal- documenting his struggle to grieve and cope with the intense anger and sadness of losing his son. Ultimately he finds his faith to be his greatest source of comfort and strength, but not before a long journey through the dark wilderness of grief.

I have also found this book to be extremely comforting and helpful- both in coping with my personal losses, as well as for bereaved family members in the grief support group that I facilitate. This book should be required reading for ANYONE who has lost a loved one, or works with the bereaved or is close to someone who has lost a loved one. I highly recommend it. show less

Lament for a Son, by Nicholas Wolsterstorff. The book avoids easy answers about suffering. Its honest depiction of one man's struggle will help open the floodgates for those who cannot find words for their own pain (William B Eerdmans Publishing, 1996, £8.99).

Philosophical theologian, Nicholas Wolterstorff penned these reflections in the wake of their 25 year old son's death. It is a beautiful book, full of honest grappling with grief, God and faith. He offers no easy answers but opens up about his pain he carried.

The book avoids easy answers about suffering. Its honest depiction of one man's struggle will help open the floodgates for those who cannot find words for their own pain .

What CS Lewis does in A Grief Observed in describing the grief and loss and hope in losing his wife, Wolterstorff does here in losing a son.

simply written but has a great message on how to encounter grief and not just "deal" with it.

Wolterstorff, a well-known Christian philosopher, lost his 25-year-old son to a mountain climbing accident. His reflections in the wake of that tragedy are at times deeply personal, but always he expresses a prayerful anguish with which most bereaved parents will identify. Above all he refuses to turn from the "demonic awfulness" of death and, as he moves faithfully through grief, discovers new meaning in the Beatitudes, together with a new understanding of a suffering God. Spiritually enriching and theologically substantive. (Library Journal, Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"A deeply moving account of how one man has learned to deal with pain." (Booklist)

"For the gift of this personal meditation, the Christian community show more should offer profound gratitude. Perhaps once or twice a year—in a good year—one reads a book so compelling, so essential, that one wishes to advise all friends, 'Here, please read this book. It's wonderful.' Simple and profound, Lament for a Son is such a book." (Christianity Today)

"Lament for a Son is a simple, honest, and poignant expression of one man's grief, but it is more. By sharing the depths of his grief, not in trite phrases but honestly, Nicholas Wolterstorff helps open the floodgates for those who cannot articulate their pain. . . This little book is a true gift to those who grieve and those who, in love, reach out to comfort. Wolterstorff's words are, indeed, 'salve on our wounds.' Thank God he did not remain silent." (Henri J. M. Nouwen) show less