Can someone recommend a good fiction (not self-help) book to help someone coping with grief?

Question

I've got a friend who has lost her father and I want to get her a book that other people have found helpful in coping with grief.

Answer 1

read the thomas covenant series by Stephen R Donaldson

Answer 2

Sophie's Choice is a BAD choice....that was a harrowing, emotionally wrenching book. I couldn't sleep right for weeks after reading it---there's no comfort in it at all.
I would recommend something that simply does NOT deal specifically with death. Something to lift her spirits, and make her feel good about life in general. Her loss will take time to heal, and plunging into a fictional account of someone else's grief isn't likely to help. I'm going to recommend the Mitford series by Jan Karon. They are gentle, sweet but not sappy, stories, and there are some wonderfully funny scenes, as well as some genuinely inspiring ones. They may be the "chicken soup" she needs now.
The first book in the series is called AT HOME IN MITFORD.

Answer 3

My Dad and grandad passed away within 8 weeks of each other 4 years ago.
I am very into the Jostein Gaarder books and at the time he bought out a new one called Through A Glass Darkly. I bought this as he was my favourite author and didn't know what it was about.
The story is about a person who dies but then it looks at how their memory lives on. This book was the best book I have ever read and is now one of my favourites of all time.
It dealt with all the feelings of losing someone but also deals with what you as the griever can do to look to the future.
However, I sent a copy to my grandmother as it was her husband and son who had died and she said she struggled with it as she felt she was not ready to look to a future of being on her own at that time.
She has now re-read it and has found that it has helped. So, be prepared for your friend to struggle with whatever you give her, but be supportive as grief affects people at different rates. Hope this has been of some help

Answer 4

Not to disagree with you in your effort to comfort your friend however a friend of mine who lost a daughter in 2004 and led our book discussion group was not at all interested in reading a fiction book about grief.

I know you said no to self-help books however, this is not really a self-help book as your might generally define.

It's only about 50 pages available in both ppbk and hc and has ministered to everyone I have ever given it to.

Please consider checking it out. the title is: Good Grief by Granger Westberg. It goes through the six stages of grief. Whether it's the death of a loved one, a relationship, a pet, or a job loss, we all experience grief. Blessings too you and your friend.

Answer 5

i can think of a number of books.
fiction wise, for escapism i don't think i've ever read a better book than "fried green tomatoes" by fannie flag. its just an amazing book that deals with so many different issues but somehow still manages to make you feel good. its the best book i've ever read and the only one that i didn't want to end.

as for non fiction, theres a book that tells the experiences of grief and depression by different people. its called "you are not alone"
when i was going through a very low point in my life, it did help in some strange way. its not a self help book, just people telling their stories.

Answer 6

"Grief, not grievances." said Robert Frost
Living With The Devil/Stephen Batcholor
is a highly intelligent modern Buddhist's reflection
&
Ethics For The New Millenium /Dalai Lama

may provide some insight from weighty thinkers who can guide you.
think of a wave stirring up the sand@shorebreak,the water is cloudy for a moment, but it is still water & clears after the turbulance ends.
&the wise words in The Good Book, "this too, shall pass",
& "the lillies of the field..."perhaps your grief will be your vehicle to clarity & faith...
the human condition is loss, departure AND arrival.

Answer 7

I'm not sure a book is the way to go especially if the loss is recent. But here is a link to an article I wrote about children and YA books on the topic of grief published in 2004.

Offhand, my favorite books are THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER by Sarah Dessen, PEPPERLAND by Mark DeLaney, and GOING FOR THE RECORD by Julie Swanson.

Answer 8

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross writes excellent books about grief and the stages a person goes through. My son died in the 80's and her book helped me very much! She is well-known for her books and I found her book to be very helpful. Good luck. Go to www.abebooks.com or amazon.com and I am sure you will be able to find something that will help.

Sorry, just realized you said fiction so these may not work as they are non-fiction. OOPS.

Answer 9

Good Grief by Lolly Winston

Answer 10

Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your friends loss, I know how I felt when I lost my Dad. There is a book that may help. It's by "James Van Praagh" called 'Healing grief' there is also a web site www.piatkus.co.uk they may offer other titles by this author since he has published other books. Hope this helps

Answer 11

I've found "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo a great story when I'm feeling depressed.

The main character has so much more grief to deal with than I will ever have.