Shortly after my son was killed, I read Joan Didion's " A Year of Magical Thinking". It was amazing in its description of loss that cannot be shared. However, I must say that Ann Hood has expressed the loss of a child better than anyone I have ever had the discussion with about the personal, singular, life altering experience. I have always said that I only know two women who can understand. Both have lost a child. I also knew two women when I was very young, and it was not until I lost my son that it dawned on me that they rarely talked about the child they had lost. I now understand why.

Ann has also captured the difference between men and women and the fact that all losses of children do not drive a separation between them. I admire her courage to speak her feelings and say that more people should read this book to come to a level of understanding and compassion for anyone who has lost a child. It is different than any other loss.

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This small book packs quite a punch. I've never lost a child, but I have gone through a grieving process with my daughter, and Ann Hood nails grief completely. This is a baring of the soul, and I admire her courage in writing this down. If you know someone who is grieving, this would be a good gift; it's always nice to know you're not the only one thinking and feeling a certain way. Ultimately a story of hope, of acceptance and of love.

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This book is a sweet and aching book about her grieving through the death of her daughter. It's fragile and incredible real and well written. The author's daughter would be so proud to have her as her mommy. Be sure you're ready to sniffle, and take deep breaths as this is a book that hits you right in the heart.

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I've read several of Ann Hood's books and have enjoyed them all. And I looked forward to reading this one as I feel I could use some help dealing with grief. Ann and family lost their 5yo daughter to illness. Tragic loss for anyone.

Ann had a difficult time dealing with this loss. Friends kept telling her to write about her feelings. She didn't at first but obviously this book is her end product. She jumps all over the timeline in the book so I had trouble following her thoughts and feelings. It's a real tear jerker, keep tissues nearby.

Unfortunately, I got nothing out of the book. Where I hoped for some guidance on how to overcome grief, I just felt worse because I couldn't see how Ms. Hood dealt with her grief. Other than learning how to knit, and eventually writing.

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This is the most heartwrenching book i ever read. Absolutely worth the read. Loved it.

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