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Grief Talking: Tales of Loss and Learning
Not yet published
Expected 5 Nov 26Loss unites us all.
Much-loved actor, author and screenwriter, Greg Wise, offers his personal experiences with loss and encourages us to be more open in our own. Grief shapes us but we can learn from it. Through honesty, vulnerability and ritual we can navigate the chaotic, messy journey of bereavement.
Wise explores traumatic grief - the sudden drowning of a close friend in his twenties; intergenerational trauma and the sorrow that can be passed down through families; the emotional aftermath of his sister's death from cancer; and anticipatory grief – the pain of infertility and failed IVF when cherished hopes are dashed and we grieve a loss before it is born.
Greg offers solace and understanding through his own moving stories. He advocates for a change in our modern suppressive culture of mourning. Instead, we should allow ourselves and others an open healthy processing of grief so we can become kinder, more connected and experience happiness again.
Whether you're struggling to articulate your feelings or supporting a loved one through loss, Grief Talking will show you that you are not alone.
Much-loved actor, author and screenwriter, Greg Wise, offers his personal experiences with loss and encourages us to be more open in our own. Grief shapes us but we can learn from it. Through honesty, vulnerability and ritual we can navigate the chaotic, messy journey of bereavement.
Wise explores traumatic grief - the sudden drowning of a close friend in his twenties; intergenerational trauma and the sorrow that can be passed down through families; the emotional aftermath of his sister's death from cancer; and anticipatory grief – the pain of infertility and failed IVF when cherished hopes are dashed and we grieve a loss before it is born.
Greg offers solace and understanding through his own moving stories. He advocates for a change in our modern suppressive culture of mourning. Instead, we should allow ourselves and others an open healthy processing of grief so we can become kinder, more connected and experience happiness again.
Whether you're struggling to articulate your feelings or supporting a loved one through loss, Grief Talking will show you that you are not alone.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Expected publication November 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2026
This is definitely not an easy audio book to listen to. I don’t think you would listen to it unless you had been impacted by the death of a loved one. Greg narrates it himself and talks about his loved ones who have died and his reaction. This feels like an absolute labour of love with no effort spared, really like talking to a relative who wants to support you at your time of grief by telling you what they learnt when their loved one died.
At times I really struggled with the speed of his narration and I have to admit I occasionally sped the audio book up, I have AHDH so that’s my excuse. I also think at times I needed to hear it at the recorded speed so I think it depends on how you are feeling. The speed is of a radio 4 interview with time taken to reflect and I think Greg’s skill as an actor comes through even when he is reading his own words. He is very soothing to listen to.
My own Dad died at the end of 2024 and my partner’s Dad became ill at the start of 2025 and has recently died. I found the book, mostly, supportive and cathartic even during this difficult time. I think it does explicitly tell you that it will explore grief and I think you would need to be in the right place to tolerate this. I know sometimes a book is less emotional than an audiobook but I do think listening to this has been helpful in my grieving process.
At the end of the book there is practical advice and resources. I think this would be much easier in book form but I also think you could just jot down the information as if you were talking to a friend, here the ability to slow down the narration could come into play. He has templates for documents, advice on how to create a resource where your loved ones can go for everything when you die, I so wish we had that for my Dad. Then another chapter about resources for when a loved one has died.
I am struggling to recommend this book or the audio book, I think it’s sad if you want to read it because it probably means someone you love has died. I do though think if you are drawn to this as part of your exploration or your healing journey then this is as good as it gets and felt like having a conversation with someone who had a similar experience. I think people are very supportive when someone dies but the process does not end after the funeral and I think this would be a helpful audio book or book as time goes by.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
At times I really struggled with the speed of his narration and I have to admit I occasionally sped the audio book up, I have AHDH so that’s my excuse. I also think at times I needed to hear it at the recorded speed so I think it depends on how you are feeling. The speed is of a radio 4 interview with time taken to reflect and I think Greg’s skill as an actor comes through even when he is reading his own words. He is very soothing to listen to.
My own Dad died at the end of 2024 and my partner’s Dad became ill at the start of 2025 and has recently died. I found the book, mostly, supportive and cathartic even during this difficult time. I think it does explicitly tell you that it will explore grief and I think you would need to be in the right place to tolerate this. I know sometimes a book is less emotional than an audiobook but I do think listening to this has been helpful in my grieving process.
At the end of the book there is practical advice and resources. I think this would be much easier in book form but I also think you could just jot down the information as if you were talking to a friend, here the ability to slow down the narration could come into play. He has templates for documents, advice on how to create a resource where your loved ones can go for everything when you die, I so wish we had that for my Dad. Then another chapter about resources for when a loved one has died.
I am struggling to recommend this book or the audio book, I think it’s sad if you want to read it because it probably means someone you love has died. I do though think if you are drawn to this as part of your exploration or your healing journey then this is as good as it gets and felt like having a conversation with someone who had a similar experience. I think people are very supportive when someone dies but the process does not end after the funeral and I think this would be a helpful audio book or book as time goes by.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not keen on narration, but content is excellent. I worked in end of life for many years and he raises many important issues
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book. Also Greg Wise is friends with Kathryn Mannix and she is my death guru. As a bereavement counsellor I found this book accessible, poignant and ultimately uplifting. It’s relevant for all but I think will be particularly good for men to listen too. I listened to the audiobook which Greg has narrated himself so it felt particularly personal. I would recommend this book. One of the best books I have read about grief in a long time. Thanks to NetGalley and Bluebird for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews