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Cumberland (1142 KP) rated God Bless The Broken Road (2018) in Movies
Sep 12, 2018
Good movie
I enjoyed this movie, but it's not one I see myself watching multiple times. The story follows a woman grieving the loss of her husband. Before his death she was heavily involved with her church, but her grief causes her to turn from God. This movie focuses on having faith in God, amd helping others while they are struggling with there faith. The church community played an active role in the story, and overall I think the movie did a good job showing grief. At times I was worried that the romance would be used as an easy way out, but in the end it was done in a way that didn't feel forced or rushed. If you are a fan of religious movies this is one you should consider watching.
ClareR (5589 KP) rated A Quiet Life in Books
Apr 11, 2023
I loved A Quiet Life, but boy did it break my heart. I think I was dehydrated for almost ALL of the 10 days that I read this on The Pigeonhole.
Grief and loss are central themes. The three main characters are navigating their way through different kinds of loss: Chuck is grieving after the loss of his wife of many years from cancer; Kirsten is coming to terms with violent death of her father; Elle is living in a nightmare where her daughter has been abducted by her father.
The writing is utterly beautiful, and I found myself completely caught up in the lives of these people. Even though two of the characters are dealing with grief, it’s such a life affirming novel.
Highly recommended - just have the tissues close at hand!
Grief and loss are central themes. The three main characters are navigating their way through different kinds of loss: Chuck is grieving after the loss of his wife of many years from cancer; Kirsten is coming to terms with violent death of her father; Elle is living in a nightmare where her daughter has been abducted by her father.
The writing is utterly beautiful, and I found myself completely caught up in the lives of these people. Even though two of the characters are dealing with grief, it’s such a life affirming novel.
Highly recommended - just have the tissues close at hand!
Wittsend (43 KP) rated Gap of Time: The Winter's Tale Retold in Books
Jul 16, 2017
Gap of Time
Enjoyed the book. The book is beautiful and clever, emotionally wrought and profoundly intelligent it will pull the reader into its wise world of jealousy, paranoia, grief, revenge and forgiveness in the stunning prose; however, I would like to add that the author could have conveyed its character Leo's anger and message across without the heavy use of foul language.
The Craggus (360 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Apr 13, 2019
Pet Sematary (2019) just goes to show that when it comes to certain stories, sometimes read is better.
Handsomely produced and atmospherically shot, this re-adaptation of Stephen King’s powerful exploration of grief serves to underline the key message of the original novel: it’s best to let dead things rest...
FULL REVIEW: bit.ly/CraggusPetSematary2019
FULL REVIEW: bit.ly/CraggusPetSematary2019
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Big Hero 6 (2014) in Movies
Jan 30, 2018
What a fantastic film this was. I wasn't expecting a lot from this but it drew me right in. I'd recommend this to anyone who has suffered grief or bereavement, it's portrayal of depression was spot on (without being too deep, it is supposed to be a fun movie which appeals to kids after all). Everyone needs a Baymax in their lives!
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated How to Talk to a Widower in Books
Feb 13, 2018
A slightly fantastical but nevertheless enjoyable story about Doug Parker, a man whose older wife passes away unexpectedly in a plane crash. The novel chronicles Doug coming to terms with his grief, including dealing with his troubled teenage stepson and his equally troubled twin sister, Claire. The plot is a bit much at times, but it's still a rather honest and quick read.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Ensnared (The Life of Anna, #4) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
OMG, this series.. so dark and twisted yet I can't seem to get enough!? Reading this was painful, yet I still had hope and couldn't put it down. Ive been holding onto my own grief of loosing Alex in the last book and this one was even more painful without him.. Painful, yes, but I LOVE it... MUST READ MORE!!
Leslie Odom Jr. recommended In My Father's House: Poems in Books (curated)
Richard Serra recommended On Grief and Reason in Books (curated)
Hazel (1853 KP) rated This Shining Life in Books
Feb 15, 2021
Ollie's Dad died. Richard had an incurable brain tumour, and before he passed away, he sent everyone a special present. He also told Ollie that "being alive was like a puzzle and it was all falling into place." Ollie is autistic. He thinks his father left him a puzzle to solve. Could it involve the gifts? Why won't anyone help him solve the puzzle?
This Shining Life by Harriet Kline is a heartbreaking tale about a family coming to terms with death. Told from several people's point of view, Kline explores different portrayals of grief. Ollie's mum wants to stay in bed; his aunt wants life to carry on; his maternal grandmother tries to exert control; his paternal grandmother wishes she could understand her grandson; and his grandfather has no idea what is going on. No one has time for Ollie and his obsession with his puzzle.
Before Richard's death, Ollie dominated family life. Ollie had a strict routine, always had a few spare pairs of socks with him because he hated dirty ones, and had meltdowns if his parents used the "wrong" tone of voice. Without his familiar habits, Ollie's life was a mass of confusion - an apt metaphor for the grief the rest of the family experienced.
With a contemporary novel such as This Shining Life, there is no "happy ever after". People do not come back from the dead. There is no answer to the meaning of life. Grief is a long process and different for everyone. It causes depression, anger and confusion, but hidden under all these negative feelings is love.
Harriet Kline takes death and grief seriously but adds a touch of humour to the narrative for the reader's benefit. It is not a light read, nor is it markedly profound. Instead, This Shining Life is painfully honest, and for that reason, it is beautiful.
This Shining Life by Harriet Kline is a heartbreaking tale about a family coming to terms with death. Told from several people's point of view, Kline explores different portrayals of grief. Ollie's mum wants to stay in bed; his aunt wants life to carry on; his maternal grandmother tries to exert control; his paternal grandmother wishes she could understand her grandson; and his grandfather has no idea what is going on. No one has time for Ollie and his obsession with his puzzle.
Before Richard's death, Ollie dominated family life. Ollie had a strict routine, always had a few spare pairs of socks with him because he hated dirty ones, and had meltdowns if his parents used the "wrong" tone of voice. Without his familiar habits, Ollie's life was a mass of confusion - an apt metaphor for the grief the rest of the family experienced.
With a contemporary novel such as This Shining Life, there is no "happy ever after". People do not come back from the dead. There is no answer to the meaning of life. Grief is a long process and different for everyone. It causes depression, anger and confusion, but hidden under all these negative feelings is love.
Harriet Kline takes death and grief seriously but adds a touch of humour to the narrative for the reader's benefit. It is not a light read, nor is it markedly profound. Instead, This Shining Life is painfully honest, and for that reason, it is beautiful.