Book Review by Brian Austin of
WinterGrief
by Donna J Mann
WinterGrief, by Donna J. Mann, chronicles a journey through intense loss, sorrow and healing. Written in a gentle, loving tone, reading it was like receiving a hug from a special friend.
With deep honesty, the author shares conflicting emotions, confusion, denial, anger and pain. She tells of some of the unhelpful advice received, the cultural pressures and the agony of trying to go on as a parent and spouse. Yet she moves beyond that. Comparing grief to the ice-bound landscape of winter, Donna Mann celebrates the unseen life beneath the snow. She shares the wonder of the awakening of spring.
The book never quite reaches summer. Somehow that reality, acknowledged without excuse or pat answers, lends a core of strength to the message. Late spring frosts can still re-awaken pain. Readers familiar with sudden tears when some unexpected reminder of a great loss strikes will find integrity and healing in the fact this story does not blithely move to full summer and endless sunshine.
The book frequently touches on the author's spiritual journey but never dwells there. It focuses instead on her journey through grief. It makes no attempt to "spiritualise" death; no pretence that some great good is disguised in the loss. It vigorously refutes shallow and time-worn platitudes, such as: "God needed another angel," that are intellectually empty and emotionally unsatisfying. Yet the book speaks strongly of good memories and rich growth birthed out of the deep pain. The author never attempts to answer the unanswerable "Why's?" She does attempt to answer "How do we go on from here?" with gentle insight and loving wisdom of one who has walked this painful road.
WinterGrief is a rich book, brief, honest and full of love. The author never tells you to dry your tears and get over it. She invites you to cry with her, whether your grief is brand-new or decades old. A deep, strong current of hope moves through the book. Like a hug from a friend, it touched our grief over and over again. (Our grandson died in March of this year)
Published by Essence Publishing, ISBN 1-55306-590-5 in a Trade Paper edition, it is 71 pages. It is available through many local book stores or by contacting:
Contact: Donna Mann
ddmann@bell.net
