A Grief Observed Analysis

Reading Guide for, A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis (1961) The book, A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis, (1961), was written from his journal he kept after the death Lewis’s wife, Joy Davidman in 1960. Lewis was a bachelor for almost 58 years before he married Joy Davidman Greshman in March of 1959. His wife had been diagnosed with cancer before he met her, however, they fell in love and spent their short time together before cancer took her life in 1960. A Grief Observed is C. S. Lewis’s chronicles of his personal observations and struggles that Lewis went through with the loss of his beloved wife. Below are some questions for added discussion and thought about the book.
Reading Guide Questions for Discussion and Thought:
1. The first paragraph that C. S. Lewis uses in A Grief Observed is very

C. S. Lewis asks the question, “where is God?”. What are your thoughts and answers about where God is in your time of grief or loss?
9. In the last chapter of the book, Lewis describes what grief is like. “Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape” (Lewis, 1961, p. 60). What is Lewis trying to say? Would it help you to picture grief this way? Why or why not?
10. “Poi si torno’ all’ enerna fontana” is the very last sentence in the book, (Lewis, 1961, p. 76). This is a quote from Dante, when Beatrice turns away from him to the eternal fountain. This seems to tell us that Lewis has finally accepted the loss of Joy and is more at peace with God. Joy’s last words to the chaplain were, ‘I am at peace with God’ (Lewis, 1961, p. 76). How can we find peace with God in times of our own grief? Is it a good idea to journal our thoughts just as Lewis did? Why or why not?
11. The book was a little hard to read and understand. For me, I had to read it several times to completely understand it. Did you like the book or not? Is this book one that you will keep and recommend to others, especially those going through