Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul: Stories About Life, Death and Overcoming the Loss of a Loved One

by Jack Canfield (Compiler), Mark Victor Hansen

An inspirational anthology of stories, written by those who have lost loved ones, provides readers with comfort, peace, understanding, and solace as they go through the grieving process and come to terms with their own loss by cherishing special memories, celebrating life, and honoring the special in their lives during a time of sorrow. Simultaneous. 400,000 first printing.

Genres: Grief, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Self Help, Christian, Inspirational, Death

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2001

About the author

Jack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.

Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.

Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.

In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.

Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.

Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.

Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many years I’ve always had a serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories About Life, Death and Overcoming the Loss of a Loved One, on my pile of books; spooning up one or two a day. They’re just the right size to be savored each morning. The stories often inspire me, remind me to be thankful for my blessings, appreciate my life, spark memories, and are a good jump start to a positive attitude for the day.

This recent assortment was no exception, but did take me a bit longer to read than some of the others. Sometimes days would go by before I’d read the next offering. Perhaps it was the nature of the stories gathered here that caused me to take my time to absorb.

I have my favorites in the Chicken Soup series. Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul is definitely in the top five. Starting with this quote:

“the best and most beautiful things in the
world cannot be seen, nor touched, but are felt in the heart.”
Helen Keller

to its very end, it was a touching, sometimes heart-wrenching, surprisingly heart-warming journey.

Instead of sharing the stories that will remain with me; I’d suggest you sample these on your own, taking what you need. Grieving is so personal. What comforted me might not be the same for you. If you are grieving or in need a way to help you through the process, Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul might be helpful. It provided an outlet for me to open up my heart to recent losses. It was a blend of sadness, comfort, humor and healing; a testament that life can and does continue, differently but living just he same!

[Chana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this shortly after my son died in Nov. of 2004. Not sure what I got out of it then except understanding that others were going through the same nightmare. This time around I cried a lot, probably did the first time too. I appreciated the time the book afforded me to concentrate on my son. I am always somewhat emotionally unstable with the grief, but I am not always consciously thinking of my loss. Focusing my mind on my loss was probably the best benefit from the book. Nothing will ever fix me, I'm pretty reconciled to that, but if I am going to be emotionally off anyway I might as well give some real thought to the pain.
The stories were moving of course. I tagged a couple of favorites: "Trailing Clouds of Glory" by Paul D. Wood, "Missing Pa" by Ann Hood; and I like this quote from "Lilyfish" by Bill Heavey, "This is the world, I realized for the millionth time, and its unfathomable mystery, always and never the same, composed in roughly equal parts of suffering and wonder, unmoved by either, endlessly rolling away."
I'm very sorry for those who are bereaved, and even more sorry for those whose bereavement is written and their pain waits to come to be.

[Lory · Rating 3 out of 5]

You never "overcome" the loss. This little tome helps you to realize that you are not alone. Others survive, and you will too.

[Amritha Ram · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the book I expected to end my 2020 with, at all.
Losing someone dear to you makes you look around you to find something that makes you feel better - anything. To me that thing is usually words, and I turned to reading and writing more than ever to ease my mind.

I used to be obsessed with the Chicken Soup books as a teenager, because it always evoked a sense of empathy in me, knowing the kinds of stories other people - real people somewhere in the world - were living. Going back to these books as an adult is kind of harder - I'm noticing the writing is not sophisticated, and the stories too brief to really evoke serious emotion. Most of the stories in this book didn't work for me for that reason, it was a bit too romanticized. That being said, I did appreciate one or two - the one with the dragonflies, and the other with the rainbow. I find myself too, seeing elements in daily life that remind me of the person I lost, and projecting onto those things thoughts that I feel like they may be trying to convey to me without words.

While I wouldn't recommend this to anyone as a "good book", sometimes it might just help to know you aren't alone in grief. Every story basically served as one data point to the fact that this terrible feeling is not unique to us alone, and that at some point, someone else has felt something similar, and that they have reached a stage where it no longer feels that lonesome and terrible, and that's probably what I needed more than the words in the story themselves.

[Katie Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a couple of months after my son moved to Heaven... this book really ministered to me...

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took me awhile to finish, because many of the stories were so poignant and emotional I could only do a few at a time. I thought the selection of stories was excellent for this topic; the ones about the children dying were particularly heart wrenching and I often wondered how those parents had the strength to go on. But they did, and shared their stories to help others.. I normally read the dog and cat chicken soup books, but I’m glad I ventured out if my normal genre. While I experienced many losses over the years I read this at a time when there have been no recent ones; I’m not sure I could gave gotten thru it otherwise.

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

$1.49

I decided to start reading this book now in light of the tragedy that took place in Newton, Connecticut last Friday. I remember reading on Facebook that someone had suggested doing 26 (28 including the mother and shooter) random acts of kindness as a way to remember those lives that were lost. I haven't forgotten this promise to myself, and by beginning this book, I have at last thought of 1. This may take a while but that's okay, but it should be fun to be on the lookout for little things that might brighten someone's day.

I think I read this book a few years ago, but I am not the same person I was then. I've lost many people over the years, but the dearest one, my dad, passed away since I read this, as well as my Lucky. There are so many stories in here that remind me of various people who have come and gone out of my life, and while at times I got a little teary-eyed, I still appreciated this collection of stories. There is such a variety about all the different losses folks have shared and suffered through, and I would recommend this to anyone who has lost someone on especially if you don't know what to say or do when someone else is going through grief. There is a good chapter in here that recommends being there, along with other things, including what Not to say. I was nodding my head all the way through it because someone was very insightful. As I read the stories, I can only hope that some of the family members of the victims in Newton, Connecticut will share their stories one day.

[John Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 has been a hard year for me. I lost my dearest mom a day after 2023’s Christmas. She was only 65 but lost the 3 years battle with cancer. The same cancer took my dear grandmother’s life 5 years ago. I felt desperate and meaningless of the rest of my life. 7 months later, I lost my 11 years old Labrador when I was away for a vacation in Tibet for the purpose to relieve the pain from losing my mom. She was my dream dog since my childhood, a 100 pound lovely English lab with creamy fury. I brought her back home when she was only 2 months old. She was not just my pet but also my best friend and more. There was no significant sign when I dropped her off at my neighbor’s place. I noticed that she slept a lot laterally and didn’t want to walk at all. I thought it was the heat, didn’t think that she was fading away… She pasted away 5 days after I departed. I wouldn’t go if I knew this would happen…So much pain. Then I start to read this book, the book makes me think that I am not alone, so many people in the word were also suffering the loss of their be lovings. It is not just about grieving, it is also about healing, moving forward, appreciate and live the present. I still suffer the losses today, but I will be and have to be strong and live for my family and myself. Live is short that’s why we have to try to live the best live we can. Thank you for sharing all these stories, it really helps to comfort me a lot.

[Kelly (miss_kellysbookishcorner) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul is a collection of stories about loss and grief from different contributors. It deals with different kinds of loss, but the main focus is on the love and hope in the face of death.

I read this compilation of stories following the loss of my best friend and boyfriend earlier this year. While these stories are basic, they have the heartwarming power to help those grieving the lost of a loved one. They allowed me to acknowledge that I am not alone, and that there is happiness to be found down the road, that our love for one another will always be there. One story in particular stuck with me in particular. It made me realize if I could go back in time knowing this pain would come, and that his life would be cut short, would I still choose his presence in my life. And the answer is yes. The answer will always be yes. Fours years of Geoff is infinitely better than none.

I would recommend this to those who are facing the loss of a loved one. This isn't a book that will explain or help guide you through your grief, but it will definitely give you hope. The stories are definitely emotional, but they will also make you smile through the tears.

[Quế Thanh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Những câu chuyện:

Bông hồng tặng Mẹ
Điều ý nghĩa
Con sẽ làm cho mẹ một chiếc cầu v ồng
Di sản sống của Joseph
Chiếc hộp bút chì
Khi không thể diễn tả bằng lời
Sự sáng suốt của con
Tình yêu và nước lã
Khu vườn của Ashley
Thời gian đau khổ, thời gian để yêu thương
Bài học từ những đám mây
Để mới mẻ và khác biệt
Sinh nhật đẹp nhất của bố
Vì các em thân yêu
Học dương cầm

Những câu chuyện ngắn có thật này sẽ giúp những ai đang đau khổ sẽ tìm thấy niềm an ủi khi biết được những hoàn cảnh tương tự, hay cũng có thể là hoàn toàn khác biệt với mình - đã vượt qua đau khổ như thế nào. Bạn sẽ khám phá ra rằng mỗi câu chuyện là một sợi chỉ hy vọng và tất cả chúng đều được đan kết lại với nhau. Hy vọng vào ngày mai. Hy vọng vào khả năng hàn gắn vết thương. Hy vọng vào tình yêu cuộc sống một lần nữa sẽ hồi sinh và ngày càng trỗi dậy.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book twice. The first time in 2002. You never get over the loss of losing your parents this book helps you see others experiences and perspectives. You feel relatable, not isolated. I am working through immense and intense grief. This book helped me find some comfort during a very difficult time in my life. If you are grieving for the loss of a loved one, this book may bring you tranquility.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed this when it found me. It was good to read what others have gone through loss. My heart has never gone so dark as when I loss some very special people,but in 2019 I lost my rock, my mentor ,the best Dad ever.
Will ALWAYS miss you Dad LG♥️♥️

[HappyGSDmama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book when both grandpa’s passed away within 6 weeks of each other, and as I picked it up when I needed support and help it continuously provided the healing and sustaining I so desperately craved. Well done 👏

[Eileen Carter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected

The stories oh this book I found hard to keep my attention. They were short but still not ones I was pulled into

[Mashed Potato · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Thank you to all the contributors who shared their stories

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lost my only sibling a while ago. I have been having a hard time dealing with it and with having faith. This book had quite a few sad but helpful stories.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful compilation of stories that touched me deeply and some even made me cry. I am beyond grateful for what these contributors shared to help other who are grieving. A wonderful, healing book.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an uplifting book especially if you have recently lost someone.

[Ginny Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books when I was a teenager and young adult, but hadn’t read one in a while. I read this book after my mom died and it really helped me process my feelings and feel better.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read. A good re-read all the time.

[Mira Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good, but there’s a lot of stories that rely quite heavily on religious dogma (specifically Christian) for comfort.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried and laughed so many times through this book. Such a heartwarming book for anyone who is grieving…& even for those who are not!

[Kim Miller-Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew that many of the stories in here would be trite, but I didn’t really care. I just wanted to read other people’s stories of loss as a way of feeling less alone.

My biggest gripe with this volume is the choice the editors made regarding its opening section, “Final Gifts,” a compilation of stories in which the deceased leaves a meaningful sign or symbol that provides great comfort to the bereaved. Starting with these stories carries the very real potential of alienating the exact readers for whom the book is purportedly designed.

Sickeningly-sweet sentimentality aside, the tone of
the opening section is self-righteous and offensive. Most of us who are in the initial throes of grief are not at the point in which the ecstatic identification of deep meaning is possible. Furthermore, many of these amazing epiphanic moments happened at the precise moment of death. For those readers whose loss came without any kind of notice, this is not helpful. At best, the editors’ decision to lead with these accounts indicates a lack of insight; at worst, it shows a complete lack of empathy. This section could have and should have been included somewhere later in the collection.

Editorial organization aside, the stories themselves were decent. Many of them were trite and insipid, but some of were authentic and comforting. Having said that, none of them reached the level of those contained in MODERN LOSS (a compilation of well-written narratives many of which were designed for a more intellectually-contemplative and erudite audience). Still, I feel that I benefitted from reading this collection—if nothing else, the opening sequence provides me with a good example of poor audience awareness to share with students.

[Trisha DeBoer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this book. It can be a good tool for people who have experienced the death of someone close to them. I am not one to say that peoples' reflections about loss are wrong, but sometimes they just weren't for me, partially because they involved a lot of "pop theology" that is heard in email forwards and the like all the time. Also, I was looking more for a book that discussed grief surrounding non-death losses. Grief is more than dealing with the death of a loved one. Grief surrounds people in divorce, dealing with the cognitive decline of a parent or other loved one, the loss of independence or mobility, the loss of a job, and even the "happy" experiences of life. That being said, I still thought this was a good book. I read it fairly quickly, and in the future, may read it a bit more slowly in order to process a bit more. Theology aside, sometimes a person just needs to hear they are not alone in grief.

[Henness B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book after my grandpa suddenly passed away in January of this year. I was very close to him and he worried a lot about me especially when my cancer returned last october when i was 15. This book helped me realize that he is not gone he is just living in a different place. I didn't think my grandpa was around anymore because I never felt him after he passed. But when I read this book I realized it might take a few months before you feel your loved ones spirit. Now I feel my grandpa around me a lot. I like how this book doesn't try to be your counselor. People just tell you their heartfelt experiences and either you relate to them or enjoy them or both. I promise anyone who reads this book will love it.

[Dini Bachtiar · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was given to me from a dear friend. Reading through it helped me cope with my feelings of grief i had denied after the pasing of my dear husband. I now understand that it's ok to feel like someone's just pulled the rug from under you, and that the soul needs to make peace with the mind and body. It has helped me realize that I'm not alone in this process and that one day, the time will come for me to look back at memories without pain, but with smiles.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When someone dies, you don't get over it by forgetting; you get over it by remembering, and you are aware that no person is ever truly lost or gone once they have been in our life and loved us, as we have loved them." --Leslie Marmon Silko
""Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." --Rossiter Worthington Raymond

[Heather Fordhamses]

While I've lost many fam members close to me, I still felt that I shouldn't bother w this because I'm not yet grieving. My best friend (of 21 years) has several terminal illnesses and has a prognosis of less than a year. After reading this, I understand that I absolutely am grieving already. And I know I'll read it again when she's gone, but for now, it helped me prepare for what's to come.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of stories from families that lost a loved one. I have read a lot of books that show what people have done to make their loved one live on..or cope with the loss. I also feel hope that this road although it feels lonely sometimes, we are not alone.