Silent Grief: Miscarriage--Finding Your Way Through the Darkness

by Clara Hinton

Miscarriage has touched almost every home although it s rarely talked about It s the invisible pain Even couples who are very close and on sure footing find it too upsetting to discuss In Silent Grief author Clara Hinton knows what she s talking about Experiencing the heartbreak of child loss firsthand she tackles this universal tragedy by talking with women and men who have dealt with miscarriage These interviews shed much light on the debilitating effects of child loss including consuming guilt depression and strained marriages Acknowledging that God is the ultimate healer of hurting families the author shows through her interviews and personal experiences that there is hope for functioning through child loss But the goal goes beyond that to help families be happy again and look forward to the future

Genres: Grief, Self Help, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1998

Reviews

[Michelle Mock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is able to write simply and poignantly about grief. She is able to write in and from the trenches of deep grief as she herself has experienced miscarriages and child loss. Consequently, it is a respite to read her words even if I personally found some parts to be repetitive. She does write from a Christian slant but it isn’t overbearing and it doesn’t come across until at the end of each chapter. This might be a very good book to refer to those of the Christian belief who have had a miscarriage, still birth, child loss, or has a missing child (types of loss she covers).
Normally I am not a fan of Christian grief books, for me personally they tend to whitewash grief in favor of “it will all be ok one day” but this author does not do that, nor does she offer other Christian tropes in light of loss. She is honest about loss and grief; consequently I found this book to be helpful even now as I am 3 years out from my loss and would consider recommending it to those of the Christian faith that are looking for grief book resources.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate that this book even needs to be read. This is a club that no one ever wants to be a part of. I had a stillborn son at 39 weeks with no pregnancy complications whatsoever. This book was gifted to me by a friend.

I've read one other stillbirth/infant loss book called Empty Cradle, Broken Heart and felt that one was good to read directly after a loss whereas this book could be read at any time. However, I really didn't find this book very helpful. To me, it read like a book written by an old woman who just rambled about her experiences with loss (both her own and people she knew or came in contact with). Each chapter also ends by circling everything back to God. I didn't mind it, but others might not appreciate it and sometimes it felt like she was preaching. In the end, I don't think this book is worth reading. I believe there are much better resources out there.

[Erin Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard book to finish. It took me 4 months to read it because it was so real. Everything she said I have felt and thought and some even felt shame for feeling or thinking. When I finally decided to finish the book I was able to realize now only am I not alone in these thoughts and feelings I have, but it’s ok to have them, and it’s no less pain or more painful than others in similar or different situations. We all grieve no matter how the loss happens, or how long we’d known our child. I think this book helped me more than I realize as of yet, but it was just hard to get into the book because that meant I had to face those feelings.

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for mothers who have lost a child...or for someone who loves a mother who has lost a child. Read, re-read, and read again!

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a timely purchase after my 1st miscarriage, just over 2 decades now. After reading, I then chose to donate the book to the library at the church we were currently attending. Sadly that copy had gone missing after my second baby heard my voice and heartbeat before being ushered into the Lord's Presence. I now have another copy, and I highly recommend this book for anyone who has either experienced the death of a child through miscarriage, or is close to someone who has. Additionally, since I had no idea what a miscarriage was until I had my first one, I would recommend this book be made available in church libraries so that anyone wanting to "be prepared" or "know how to best come alongside someone going through miscarriage", may read the testimony of the author. Dads, this is a good book for you as well. My own experiences may be unique, in that my husband went through his own grief process differently, but he mourned our babies anyway. Those trials proved for us to draw us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to each other. The living blessings the Lord gave us after and in between attest to those facts. Reading this book was definitely an essential part of the grieving, and growing process. Looking back, I learned only after that miscarriage is sadly even nowadays a "silent grief". I pray that someday there will be those who are not uncomfortable sharing with those who want to know and be prepared... and those who've "been there" willing to cry with and understand the various needs in the beginning, during, and even 2 decades later. One thing I chose to do to remember my two loved, wanted ones, was to either purchase or personalize Christmas ornaments for them. This way, each year as I decorate, I choose to thank the Lord for the hope of Heaven their presence provides. I no longer choose to remember the days the Lord brought them Home. That's what I have done. The author of this book freely shares the disappointments as well as encouraging stories that surrounded her own experiences. May you either learn to understand or be comforted after reading.

[Ashley Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for debate and it was fine. I’m sure if I have experienced this I would have appreciated it more. And in that sense I did think the writing was touching and heart felt.
however, idk if there was an editor but he or she needs to be fired. Two or three more editors needed to be hired instead. This book droned on at times and was so repetitive. I felt that there was more to be said.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I can't really say I 'enjoyed' this book due to the subject and content, I can say that Clara Hinton does a really good job of discussing this delicate topic. She describes the pain and grief process very well and even though there is no magic formula for how to grieve the loss of a child, gently pushes the reader toward possible rays of light in the midst of their sadness.
Definitely worth the read for parents who have lost a child. And selected chapters would be very helpful if you are friends with someone who has suffered this type of loss and want to understand what your friend is experiencing.