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Widowed: A Guide for Living After Loss
In this book written shortly after her own husband’s death, Dr. Joyce Brothers shares her grieving process and life after loss in this supportive guide that is “generously coated with genuine compassion” (T he Pittsburgh Press ).
When her husband of more than 30 years passed away, Dr. Brothers found herself emotionally lost and alone, at sea in an ocean of grief that at times threatened to drown her. Widowed is the story of how she dealt with her despair, how she overcame the loneliness, and gradually, was able to put her life back together.
More than just a book on coping with loss, Widowed is a truly touching story of one woman’s struggle with pain and anguish. Dr. Brothers recounts confronting the grief and loneliness and loss head-on, refusing to surrender to self-pity. She avoids hollow and cliched phrases of inspiration, instead dealing with her feelings directly. The book is filled with stories that every woman and man who has lived through the death of a spouse will immediately recognize as real and honest.
The many readers who trusted Dr. Joyce Brothers for decades, who turned to her books and columns for advice, this is the book you can turn to for support, strength, and, most importantly, a glimpse of hope.
When her husband of more than 30 years passed away, Dr. Brothers found herself emotionally lost and alone, at sea in an ocean of grief that at times threatened to drown her. Widowed is the story of how she dealt with her despair, how she overcame the loneliness, and gradually, was able to put her life back together.
More than just a book on coping with loss, Widowed is a truly touching story of one woman’s struggle with pain and anguish. Dr. Brothers recounts confronting the grief and loneliness and loss head-on, refusing to surrender to self-pity. She avoids hollow and cliched phrases of inspiration, instead dealing with her feelings directly. The book is filled with stories that every woman and man who has lived through the death of a spouse will immediately recognize as real and honest.
The many readers who trusted Dr. Joyce Brothers for decades, who turned to her books and columns for advice, this is the book you can turn to for support, strength, and, most importantly, a glimpse of hope.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
51 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Brothers
46 books24 followersJoyce Brothers was a psychologist well known for her TV appearances. She also wrote a daily advice column in newspapers from 1960 to 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 27, 2018
Someone returned this book to a mutual friend who had given it to her to read. After two years there are still times that are very hard. Reading this has brought some further insight and comfort to my present self.
December 22, 2016
Having been widowed recently, I was very interested in reading this book. I'm glad I did.
Many of the problems and emotions that Dr Brothers had when she lost her husband I also have. Knowing that women who are widowed go through this nightmare helps me to feel like I'm not such a freak. They battle many of the same emotions and doubts.
Many of the problems and emotions that Dr Brothers had when she lost her husband I also have. Knowing that women who are widowed go through this nightmare helps me to feel like I'm not such a freak. They battle many of the same emotions and doubts.
April 1, 2016
Most memoir and partly self-help, this 1990 book by Dr Joyce Brothers chronicles her journey through grief in the first couple of years following the death of her husband, Milt.
Brothers shares the good, bad, and ugly of her days trying to cope without her best friend. She admits with honesty that she never invested time in other friendships, which exacerbated the devastating loneliness now part of her life.
Even though it was written over two decades ago, the book is still helpful to widows and widowers to let them know their own grief isn't crazy, that everyone's path is unique, and that ultimately grief lessens and life begins again.
Towards the end of the book (chapter 16), Brothers offers specific advice on how a widow can help herself, most importantly, to stay in charge of your own life. In fact, a lot of that advice would work for most women, whether single or married, divorced or widowed.
In chapter 17, she provides great advice to family and friends who want to comfort and help the widow, including the big question NOT to ask, the golden rule of comforting, and more.
I've never been widowed, but if I were, I would recommend this to anyone who, with the best of intentions, thinks my grief should subside on some timetable, or that crying only makes things worse, etc.
If you or someone you know has been widowed and is struggling, giving them this book might be one of the most thoughtful things you can do.
Brothers shares the good, bad, and ugly of her days trying to cope without her best friend. She admits with honesty that she never invested time in other friendships, which exacerbated the devastating loneliness now part of her life.
Even though it was written over two decades ago, the book is still helpful to widows and widowers to let them know their own grief isn't crazy, that everyone's path is unique, and that ultimately grief lessens and life begins again.
Towards the end of the book (chapter 16), Brothers offers specific advice on how a widow can help herself, most importantly, to stay in charge of your own life. In fact, a lot of that advice would work for most women, whether single or married, divorced or widowed.
In chapter 17, she provides great advice to family and friends who want to comfort and help the widow, including the big question NOT to ask, the golden rule of comforting, and more.
I've never been widowed, but if I were, I would recommend this to anyone who, with the best of intentions, thinks my grief should subside on some timetable, or that crying only makes things worse, etc.
If you or someone you know has been widowed and is struggling, giving them this book might be one of the most thoughtful things you can do.
September 20, 2017
This book was a great help to me and I'm really sorry that I'm done with it. She had a lot of good advice since she went through the experience.
August 19, 2019
I read all of her books. Always thought this was the best.
March 13, 2021
This was most helpful to me after my late husband died in 2002. I have recommended the book to others in the same situation, and given copies to other widows and widowers.
January 18, 2012
It took me about a month to read this book. I finished it about a week ago (forgot to add it to my
goodreads when I started). As I read this book, I cried at her anxiety about her husband's illness and her sorrow at his death. I felt like she and I were on the same page most of the time. I appreciate her loving counsel and her focus on action or "being" to heal from the terrible loss of one's husband. Dr Brothers offered practical suggestions as well, but she also spoke to the spirit of loss. I found this to be an extremely consoling and helpful book.
goodreads when I started). As I read this book, I cried at her anxiety about her husband's illness and her sorrow at his death. I felt like she and I were on the same page most of the time. I appreciate her loving counsel and her focus on action or "being" to heal from the terrible loss of one's husband. Dr Brothers offered practical suggestions as well, but she also spoke to the spirit of loss. I found this to be an extremely consoling and helpful book.
March 26, 2015
The first part of this book is really good--She describes the experience of becoming widowed with clarity and emotional truth. Then the book gets kinda bogged down in details. Also, its a bit outdated--though she is a noted celebrity and professional, she describes her main job as serving her husband. It is probably a better book for an older widow, (60s+) than younger one and someone from today's generation may have a hard time relating to much of the book. She ends with a few tips/advice which I think are unnecessary, and I found less than helpful.
September 25, 2012
When the famous psychologist's husband, Milt, died from cancer in 1989, she became her own grief counselor. In this book, Dr. Brothers details her journey through the grief of widowhood and advises orther on coping with loss. She does an outanding job of making the process understandable and normal. I highly recommend this book to anyone going through losing a loved one.
July 4, 2007
After I read this book I truly had a better understanding of what my mother was going through as a widow. I recommend this book to everyone. It is an honest, sad, scary and uplifting true story of Dr. Brothers widowhood.
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May 1, 2008I read this in the 90s. Some parts I didn't agree with, but for the most part I'd like to read it again.
April 8, 2008
Let me know all things were normal and it is a joruney.
October 19, 2009
I bought this for my mom after my dad died this past week and we both read it on the same day. It is exactly what we needed.
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August 31, 2010Highly Recommend if Needed.
Very many similarities in emotions et al.
Very many similarities in emotions et al.
Read
September 1, 2011Call Number: 152.4 BRO
A gift from Beverly STURM.
Available.
A gift from Beverly STURM.
Available.
February 15, 2012
This was a fast read but not an easy read. However, it was worth the effort it helps on more than one level.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews