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Well-known Christian philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff has authored many books that have contributed significantly to scholarship in several subjects. In Lament for a Son, he writes not as a scholar, but as a loving father grieving the loss of his son. In brief vignettes, Wolterstorff explores with a moving honesty and intensity, all the facets of his experience of this irreversible loss. Though he grieves "not as one who has no hope," he finds no comfort in the pious-sounding phrases that would diminish the malevolence of death. The book is in one sense a narrative account of events-from the numbing telephone call on a sunny Sunday afternoon that tells of 25-year-old Eric's death in a mountain-climbing accident, to a graveside visit a year later. But, the book is far more than narrative. Every event is an occasion for remembering, for meditating, for Job-like anguish, in the struggle to accept and understand. A profoundly faith-affirming book, Lament for a Son gives eloquent expression to a grief that is at once unique and universal-a grief for an individual, irreplaceable person. Though it is an intensely personal book, Wolterstorff decided to publish it, he says, "in the hope that it will be of help to some of those, who find themselves with us in the company of mourners.".… (more)
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This book is powerfully moving and brought tears to my eyes when I first read it. Wolterstorff voices many of the often unspoken feelings that mourners go through- from intense sadness to anger, to questioning, to longing for the loved one whom has died.
His reflections are powerful yet concise, and he has written the book in the style of a journal- documenting his struggle to grieve and cope with the intense anger and sadness of losing his son. Ultimately he finds his faith to be his greatest source of comfort and strength, but not before a long journey through the dark wilderness of grief.
I have also found this book to be extremely comforting and helpful- both in coping with my personal losses, as well as for bereaved family members in the grief support group that I facilitate. This book should be required reading for ANYONE who has lost a loved one, or works with the bereaved or is close to someone who has lost a loved one. I highly recommend it.
Henri J. M. Nouwen
A true gift to those who grieve and those who, in love, reach out to comfort.
Walter Wangerin
Wolterstorff inquires us Job inquired. He is honest and utterly resistant to cheap answers about death...and to any answers at all...He looks, without foolish giddiness or delusion, but in faith, to the day that Death shall be overcome -- and he takes his place beside all who suffer. A miracle.