Surviving the Death of a Sibling: Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies

Bit of a mixed bag this book.Some useful insights and suggestions but equally some are silly and over the top.The assertion that it’s common to be offended by peoples words of comfort and offers to help was utterly bizarre.I can only assume us Brits are different !Think I might re-read The Afterlife of Billy Fingers by Annie Kagan to get over this one !

Highly recommend if you’ve lost a sibling. It makes you settled a little for sure. It’s crazy how much I can relate to this book and feel understood. Don’t even want to stop reading it because it feels like I’m speaking my thoughts to someone for the first time without thinking “ah they don’t get it, it’s pointless”.I lost my sister unexpectedly 4 months ago and am still trying to make sense of it all. I got this because I felt lonely and misunderstood. It helps.

We think we will live forever but sadly that isn’t true. Having lost one of my brothers just over two years ago and having attended two funerals already this year, one is reminded of how fragile and how short life can be. We will all have our own way of coping after the death of a loved one, and there is no set timeline to bereavement. Wray hits the nail on the head when she writes ““I’m not the person who I used to be.” Every loss changes us; you’ll never be the person you were before your brother or sister died.” The same could be said for any close friend/relative who has died.Well written book, setting out the main stages of bereavement (e.g. shock, denial, anger, depression, acceptance) and includes an interesting chapter on grief dreams. It’s a book individuals can dip into depending on where they are/how they feel.Really liked the myriad of quotes given by individuals who had lost a sibling. Anyone suffering from sibling bereavement will be able to feel empathy with their experiences and feelings.A book that will help individuals directly impacted by the loss of a loved one and for those trying to help someone through bereavement. Highly recommend.

I cant tell you how much I wish I was not needing to read this book but given I am I thought I would let others know how well this book speaks to the survivor of sibling loss. Having just lost my brother and finding no support from friends, family, experts and little in the way of forums on the internet I resorted to ordering this book. Wray talks of the struggles, the emotions, the expectations placed on you, the misundstanding and lack of compassion by others, she talks of the limited help and offers what is missing in one very easily readable place. I absolutely recommend this book to anybody suffering as I am. It validates your feelings, your tragic loss and the importance of the relationship you had with your sibling that society is not able to understand

When I read this there were several moments when I thought the author had read my mind. Thoughts and feelings that I hadn't dared allow myself to accept, let alone articulate to others were described in front of me on the page. In a time when I felt most alone, it was a great relief to know that there were other people who had experienced the same things as me.This book very gently covers all of the aspects of grief after losing a brother or a sister. I've read it once and will be turning to it again and again as I grieve for my brother. The "what helps" sections at the end of each chapter are particularly useful when everything seems confusing.An excellent book that should be read by everyone who loses an adult sibling.

I suddenly lost my sister earlier this year and while googling for some guidance, someone pointed this out (can't remember what forum, that time was a big blur). Ordered and completely forgot about it, when it arrived. Wow. It helped me so much. If I had this book striaght away it would have made the first couple of weeks much more bearable. I only just remembered this book as a friend had recently lost their cousin and I told them to read this book.If you looking at this book, I guess you'll be going through some bad times. Keep your head up, this book will help you cope.

My brother passed away 8 years ago now, and I stumbled across this book about 3 years after he passed. I still refer to it now. I found it very easy to read and covers all the aspects of grieving I was going through myself. Sibling death is not normally appreciated by others as being as devastating as it is, so this book was also a comfort when I felt isolated from family and friends. I have since bought copies for two other friends who have been bereaved of their siblings and they have both appreciated it too.

This book and the online community attached to it are a godsend for anyone who has lost an adult Brother or Sister. Finally someone understands the enormity of devastation we feel.Finally you have an outlet for the pain through reading and exercises or if not an outlet at least you know feeling like this is normal in the terrible circumstances you find yourself. It's easy to assume you are just going insane.I cannot recommend it highly enough.The online community got me through those first 2 years.