A Grief Observed

Who it's for

Lewis wrote these notebooks after his wife Joy Davidman (called 'H.' in the text) died of cancer, only a few years into their marriage, and he did not smooth them over.

Feelings it meets

• Grief
• Faith
• Loneliness

What it is

A Grief Observed is C. S. Lewis's account of mourning his wife, Joy Davidman, called 'H.' in the text, who died of cancer in 1960, a few years into their marriage. It was put together from four personal notebooks and first published under the pseudonym N. W. Clerk.

Where to find it

In print (HarperOne and Faber editions); widely available from libraries (Libby/Hoopla) and as an audiobook. Not public domain in the US.

Before you start

Heads up: A spouse's death from cancer.

Age: Ages 14+

Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.Christina Rossetti, “Remember”