Tracing the Rainbow: Working Through Loss and Bereavement by Pablo Martinez, Ali Hull (2003) Paperback

by Pablo Martinez

Tracing the Rainbow looks at bereavement through the eyes of a psychiatrist - and through the eyes of those who have mourned themselves.A mixture of information, interviews and practical advice, it seeks to answer the What is grieving? How does it affect people physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually? How can those who mourn help themselves? How can those around them help them? What is normal grief? When does grief become abnormal and in what way? How do childhood experiences influence our ability to grieve, and what can we do about it?Pablo Martinez and Ali Hull concentrate on the two greatest losses that face death and divorce, and seek, through a mixture of intensely personal stories and gentle psychiatric insight, to provide tools for getting through the hardest times in life.

Unknown Binding

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful resource for those supporting the bereaved in a church context. Martinez and Hull distill years of experience into this book, supplemented with interviews with bereaved people. It covers the common symptoms of grief, the characteristics of abnormal grief, and ways for others to help (including how best to respond to feelings of guilt or anger). There are also special sections on the death of children and divorce. This is a good introductory book to the topic for pastors, although it has the weakness of mostly assuming that both the deceased and their next-of-kin are believers.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good for those supporting others who are bereaved and I have recommended it already. Helpful to know that what is experienced at the time and even years on is perfectly normal, so reassuring in that sense.

[Mr N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years after it was written this is still the book I find most helpful for understanding grief and how to help others in seasons of loss.