Widows Wear Stilettos: A Practical and Emotional Guide for the Young Widow

by Carole Brody Fleet, Syd Harriet

Widowhood is a frightening prospect for any woman, but becoming a widow in one's forties, thirties, or twenties can be terrifying. Widows Wear Stilettos deals sensitively with the many problems and questions facing the young depression and grief, helping children cope, facing in-laws, and returning to work. The authors also address practical concerns including financial considerations and personal issues such as health, self-awareness, diet, and exercise. This reassuring book shows how a life that feels at an end can begin anew.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Grief

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

cheesy and lacking in perspective. no acknowledgement of suicide as a separate cause of young widow-hood (a huge oversight). This just came out, but we already need a gen-x (rather than boomer) version of this book. Assumes all young widows have children to worry about.

[Jessica Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I learned so much! I now know that only I can decide how to grieve. The healing journey is completely individual. People will tell you what they think you need to be doing or feeling, but they don't know! Once I let go of worrying that I wasn't grieving in a way that would make others comfortable, I began to feel better rapidly! And the book is full of journal prompts so I can go back and see my progress. I answered the same questions today that I did only 3 weeks ago and they are drastically different. I know this book was a major factor in helping me quickly get to a better place. I hope you never have to read it, but I highly recommend it!

[Kiersten Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

It diffused so much frustration. Helped me and family understand how you and the people around you react and why, when you lose a loved one. I very highly suggest you read this if you think you need grief help

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was looking for, though there were some similarities in our husband's passing.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle sums it up--a practical guide--gives tips about taking care of yourself physically, doing the physical "business" of widowhood, and taking care of your children. The second part of the subtitle--an emtional guide--discusses the unique situations YOUNG widows face. This is the first book I've found that addresses the challenges of YOUNG widowhood.

However--it is NOT a book to be read straight through for a NEW young widow. It is written in retrospect and after time you will get a point in your life that you will need to face different situations widowhood has brought into your life...but when you are first facing being a widow the last thing you want to read about is dating another man. So I would suggest reading bits and parts of the book and moving through the book at your pace and at your comfort level.

The author is sesnitive and reminds widows often that this is THEIR journey and they are the only ones who can decide where they are. She encourages widows to embrace their new life and take positive steps forward with the life that has been given to them, although this isn't the life they "signed up for".

[LaNita · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a widow almost 5 years out from my husband's death, I found the early chapters of this book to be very relative to my early years as a widow, especially the first and second year. (Wish I had this book back then!) While it was somewhat tedious to read those (been there, done that) it was also a great reminder of how far I have come since then. Once I got to the second half of the book, I could not put it down. These chapters I can probably come back to read a few years from now and still learn something.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started out pretty good, It is like a workbook. You answer the questions, and revisit them in 6 months to a year. BUT then it covers everything in widowhood. From a how to handle everything after the loss of your husband. To wear or not wear your rings. Dating, marriage. Since I am no where there I kinda moved forward. But this will be on my nook shelf because if I ever get there, it will have a lot of info. Overall a good read.

[Luci · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this widow wears Doc Martens, I found this book to be very helpful if you discover it early enough in the grieving process. Being almost a year and a half out, I found it to be interesting but found myself nodding in places as opposed to finding more help. It's not bad but there were huge sections I skipped (like recipes) because they simply were irrelevant.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I like that it's written for young widows. She is very positive and encouraging. It was comforting to read about another young widow's life after the death of her husband.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for work and it was pretty good. It is very practical and written by a widow and out of her personal experience. She includes her sense of humor throughout the book which helps.

[Kim Benouski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical advice in a lighter format than some on this topic.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little silly, but good bits