POSTCARDS FROM THE LAND OF GRIEF
Comfort for the journey through loss towards
hope
By Richard Littledale
Authentic Media. 224 pages. £9.99
ISBN 978 1 788 930 710
We join the author on his journey in ‘the land of grief’ as he mourns the death of his wife and soulmate, Fiona, from cancer.
It is a searingly honest, beautifully written series of ‘postcards’ and reflections by author, pastor, BBC broadcaster and blogger, Richard Littledale. Some people may have heard excerpts broadcast on Radio 4 last year.
Alongside the postcard-length descriptions of his thoughts and feelings during the year after his wife’s death, the author reflects on how his faith in God has sustained him – and provides ideas and resources for fellow travellers. The idea of grief being like travelling in a foreign land, feeling homesick and desperately missing a loved-one and a previous way of life, is beautifully expressed. Littledale’s Christian faith is explicit and orthodox, but not directive or insensitive.
His use of language is wonderfully articulate but never contrived, and I found myself consciously slowing down to appreciate it. There are simple pencil illustrations throughout, but although I loved the cover illustration, I felt the ones inside were far less good. In addition, some people might prefer to have had a bit more overtly Christian content – certainly if someone does not understand the gospel, they will not find an ABC of how to become a Christian, but that is not the author’s aim in this book. Personally, I really appreciated it and I would certainly give a copy of this excellent little book to a friend navigating bereavement, being sure that they would find much to comfort and help them.
