A Sorrow Shared

Book excerpt: In a first-ever combined English edition of Nouwen classics "In Memoriam" and "A Letter of Consolation," this beloved spiritual giant of the twentieth century explores the depths of his grief and writes tenderly and wisely to his bereaved father, yearning for the light of Christ in the darkness of loss and sorrow. "In Memoriam," Nouwen¿s intimate, deeply touching account of his mother¿s death, offers a gentle invitation to all those in grief to open themselves to a deeper sense of faith and trust in God. "A Letter of Consolation"--in which Nouwen writes to his father six months after his mother¿s death--ponders the journey of bereavement itself. The two books put together form a satisfyingly cohesive whole and depict a wise and honest wayfarer who guides and comforts his readers as they reflect on and struggle through similar experiences.