Author:Hope Edelman
The inspiring and powerful book about navigating loss from acclaimed grief coach and New York Times bestselling author Hope Edelman, featuring an exclusive new introduction
'Hope Edelman remains unmatched in perfectly weaving touching personal anecdotes with illuminating scientific data, to remind us we are not alone' Rachel Reichblum, That Good Grief
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Grief is a path we can all expect to walk one day, when we lose someone we love, and life suddenly looks different.
In The Aftergrief, Hope Edelman helps us to understand that loss isn't something to get over, get past, or move beyond. Drawing on her own experiences of early bereavement, as well as interviews with dozens of people who have lost someone dear, The Aftergrief guides us through:
· The story of grief
· Getting it together
· New and old grief
· Finding self-expression
· Reauthoring your story of loss
· Finding continuity
Offering advice for processing loss, regaining balance in its wake and even finding new purpose, Edelman reminds us that our sorrow can ebb and flow, recede and return, and this doesn't mean that we're 'doing it wrong.'
Above all, The Aftergrief helps us to see that while grieving may be a lifelong process, it needn't be a lifelong struggle.
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'An invaluable, outstanding and unique resource laced with empathy, wisdom and constructive ideas for those whose lives have been touched by loss and tragedy' Dr Shelley Gilbert MBE, Founder and President of Grief Encounter and author of Griefbook
'Hope Edelman remains unmatched in perfectly weaving touching personal anecdotes with illuminating scientific data, to remind us we are not alone. The author of the seminal Motherless Daughters continues to be at the forefront of changing how the world understands loss, and The Aftergrief is no exception' Rachel Reichblum of That Good Grief
'In the 1970s the phone rang one Friday afternoon when I was aged thirteen and I was told my mum was dead. If I'd had a road map like this for dealing with grief it would have changed my childhood' Tony Livesey, BBC Radio 5 Live
An invaluable, outstanding and unique resource laced with empathy, wisdom and constructive ideas for those whose lives have been touched by loss and tragedy.
—— Dr Shelley Gilbert MBE, Founder and President of Grief Encounter and author of GriefbookHope Edelman remains unmatched in perfectly weaving touching personal anecdotes with illuminating scientific data, to remind us we are not alone. The author of the seminal Motherless Daughters continues to be at the forefront of changing how the world understands loss, and The AfterGrief is no exception.
—— Rachel Reichblum of That Good GriefIn the 1970s the phone rang one Friday afternoon when I was aged thirteen and I was told my mum was dead. If I'd had a road map like this for dealing with grief it would have changed my childhood.
—— Tony Livesey, journalist and broadcaster at BBC Radio 5 LiveA mix of personal stories and advice from bereavement expert Hope Edelman
—— Woman's WeeklyWhen we live in uncertain times, we look for things that help us make sense of our world. The AfterGrief offers just that. It's an invaluable, outstanding and unique resource laced with empathy, wisdom and constructive ideas for those whose lives have been touched by loss and tragedy. Personally, as one of the country's leading experts on grief, I cannot wait to recommend this.
—— Dr Shelley Gilbert MBE, Founder and President of Grief Encounter and author of GriefbookIn the depths of grief, whether it be from a recent loss or from a lifetime ago, we seek permission and validation wherever we can get it. Hope Edelman remains unmatched in perfectly weaving touching personal anecdotes with illuminating scientific data, to remind us we are not alone. The author of the seminal Motherless Daughters continues to be at the forefront of changing how the world understands loss, and The AfterGrief is no exception.
—— Rachel Reichblum of That Good GriefTackling trauma like this is priceless. In the 1970s the phone rang one Friday afternoon when I was aged 13 and I was told my mum was dead. If I'd had a roadmap like this for dealing with grief it would have changed my childhood.
—— Tony Livesey, journalist and broadcaster at BBC Radio 5 LiveShe is simply a legend
—— Daily MailCompelling reading... It encourages both clinicians and members of the public to look at their health intrinsically linked to other people, their own community, the environment, as well as the politics and economics of their country, and more broadly, the world
—— Dipesh Gopal , BJGP LifeInflamed takes the reader on a journey deep inside the human body . . . In doing so, it reveals how external inequalities affect these systems and cause serious harm
—— Layla Liverpool , New ScientistI cried, laughed and cried again. It’s therapeutic to read and bloody amazing. This book will help to raise awareness and help people understand what it’s like to go through this, to see light at the end of the tunnel and know you won’t always feel like this.
—— Jessie Hunt, postpartum psychosis survivorI absolutely loved this book. It’s so honest I related to the rawness of it all. There was so much I could identify with.
—— Helen Grimes, postpartum psychosis survivorAn important book and I have no doubt it will have a significant impact.
—— Dr Chi-Chi Obuaya, PsychiatristThis is a generous, humane, brave gift of a book. Its guts and humour spoke to me loud and clear. I wept for Laura, women I love, and ones I’ve never met, many times throughout. There’s a conspiracy of silence around so many of areas of birth and new motherhood, and Laura is breaking the glass ceiling of it, with glorious honesty, humour and humility. I salute you, Laura - you’re a fucking warrior!
—— Sophie DahlA humblingly honest and human war report from the front lines of mothering, psychosis and recovery: there is no other book like it, and it is so desperately needed.
—— Giovanna FletcherThis moving book was a pleasure to read and I didn't want to put it down. If anyone is going through a similar experience it will make them feel less alone.
—— Philippa PerryDockrill's raw yet ultimately hopeful account of her experience with postpartum psychosis shines an important light on a rarely discussed experience.
—— iNewsBold, brave and raw, it must have taken immense courage to write this phenomenal memoir… It’s a tough read, but hugely inspiring…told with a winning dash of humour, and provides desperately needed insight into postnatal mental health
—— Eithne Farry , UK Press SyndicationWhat Have I Done? is heartbreaking and brutal in its honesty, and it is remarkable that Dockrill has managed to wring black comedy out of so much suffering… [the book] offer[s] a hand of solidarity to other women, as well as the assurance that there is a way through
—— Stephanie Merritt , ObserverIt's a truly compelling read, and one I wholeheartedly recommend
—— BuzzI very much enjoyed reading this one and if you love intimate coming of age tales as much as I do, you have to pick this up
—— Miriam StimpflAn engaging narrative . . . written with perfect poise
—— SagaFast-paced and filled with witty dialogue, and the book explores the depth and complexity of friendships between women
—— INDEPENDENT: 10 BEST BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORSWildly entertaining
—— THE BOOKSELLERI LOVED this absolute cracker of a book about the cuckoo in the next and a toxic female friendship. Highly recommended
—— LIZ NUGENT, author of LYING IN WAIT and OUR LITTLE CRUELTIESI loved hanging out with Ronke, Simi and Boo. A brilliant portrayal of how complicated friendships can sometimes be
—— NINA POTTELLThis story draws you in and spits you out, breathless. Echoes of Atwood's The Robber Bride but so its own thing. A treat.
—— KATE SAWYER, author of THE STRANDINGA heady mix of friendship, dark comedy and murder. WAHALA is razor-sharp
—— OK! MAGAZINEMay's nuanced exploration of race and gender makes this refreshing. This will leave readers intrigued to see what May does next
—— PUBLISHER'S WEEKLYA terrific, witty debut
—— I-NEWSWAHALA hooked me from page one and kept me enthralled till the (TWIST!) end. A riot of colour and noise, friendships, enemies, secrets, lies and soul food. Written with a lightness of touch. Insightful, clever, and honest. I will read anything and everything she writes
—— ERICKA WALLER, author of DOG DAYSThis gripping debut is a journey of friendship, revenge and finding your true self
—— STYLIST MAGAZINENikki May builds a propulsive reading experience as she slowly reveals Isobel's manipulations while keeping the reasons behind them hidden. Compelling character studies of each of the women don't shy away from the jealousies and judgements that sometimes make the line between friend and enemy razor thin...A fascinating look at the dark side of female friendship
—— KIRKUSA funny brilliant read
—— BELLAThis will satisfy hungry appetites and blow your thriller taste buds. Deliciously spicy
—— HEAT MAGAZINE, Read of the WeekNikki May's sharp and funny debut novel is a delight on many levels. WAHALA bursts with life from start to finish
—— DAILY EXPRESS, 'Books of 2022'May seamlessly weaves love, betrayal, self-reflection, and Nigerian food, clothing, and customs into this fast-paced debut...Fans of domestic suspense will revel in this tale of friendship, family, and forgiveness, set in the cultural milieu of Lagos
—— LIBRARY JOURNALSharp and darkly witty
—— CULTURE FLYA rapid and wildly hilarious page-turner
—— COUNTRY AND TOWN HOUSEA hotly tipped debut for 2022
—— DAILY EXPRESSWAHALA combines a frank and daring exploration of modern female friendship with a dark, punchy thriller
—— WOMAN AND HOMEFabulously fun
—— PRIMA MAGAZINEMay's skill for weaving together entertaining personal problems with a wistfulness for Nigerian food, customs and culture is unparalleled. WAHALA is hard to put down - an energetic, entertaining interrogation of a fundamentally flawed friendship
—— I-NEWSRefreshing and original. Exhilarating
—— SUNDAY TIMES, Best Popular Fiction of 2022Contemporary female friendship goes glam in this lively debut novel with remarkable depth
—— WASHINGTON POSTI would definitely recommend this book to friends. I already have!
—— Recommended Read, BBC Radio 2 Book ClubSharply observed ... sophisticated and culturally adept ... May is a masterful chronicler of Black upper-middle-class lie and ennui in Britain. WAHALA is both great fun and extremely smart in how it captures some of the central issues in modern city living: women's evolving roles in home and work, interracial relationships and multicultural identity, the current competition that runs through so many friendships and daily interactions and, most of all, how easily intimacy can morph into enmity
—— NPR.ORGWitty-wity-edge. Its humour is pin sharp
—— THE SHIFT, Sam Baker's Summer ReadingA dazzling, rich and efferverscent read. It's relevant and full of life. The killer edge was unexpectedly shocking. Just fantastic in every way
—— NB MAGAZINEA glorious read
—— STYLIST MAGAZINE, 'The Style List'Spicy as Aunty K's moin moin, satisfying as a plate of Ronke's jollof rice
—— SAGA MAGAZINEPacy, fun and gripping ... May wanted to write "a brown Sex and the City, or a brown Big Little Lies" - we reckon WAHALA could be just as big
—— EVENING STANDARD, Faces of 2022Like "Sex and the City" but set in London. And with mystery. And murder
—— COSMOPOLITANThe upshot is a funny, slightly murdery story about three women and their wahala, or "trouble" - their boyfriends, their professional aspirations, and their weaves
—— GLAMOUR MAGAZINEThe novel's strength lies in May's attention to her main character's identities. May's breezy prose is well-suited to these moments of casual intimacy, unfolding over drinks, at the hairdresser's or at the kitchen table, where all the best gossip takes place
—— NEW YORK TIMESSome of the smartest reading fun I've had all year
—— DAISY BUCHANAN