book on the death of a child

Dear Editor,

Perhaps you would be kind enough to publish the review outlined below. Death and loss is a universal experience bringing the same pain to all people irrespective of class, colour, creed or nationality.

Regards,

Jim O'Shea


Bereavement Publication

Title: When A Child Dies
Subtitle: Footsteps of a Grieving Family
Author: Jim O' Shea
Publishers Veritas Company Ltd, 7/8 Lr Abbey Street, Dublin 1.
Ireland
Price: *9.95/£6.95
Publication Date: January 2008
Extent: 144pp






When a Child Dies is an experiential book in which the reader is invited into the minds and hearts of a family devastated by the death of their youngest member, Cathal, who was killed in a road accident in February 1990. Through the voices of the child's parents and siblings, this book explores the many feelings and thoughts experienced following this tragedy. The feelings of shock, anger, rage, sadness, fear, terror, denial, yearning, guilt and loneliness are palpable throughout, showing how the family coped, and what helped them to come to terms with their loss.
When a Child Dies ultimately uncovers a family slowly emerging from darkness and chaos to reach some kind of acceptance, and to make the decision to live rather than to merely exist.
This is not an academic book, but shows the heartrending feelings surrounding serious bereavement. Every member of the family has a voice, and each voice is articulate and honest. The book is unusual in that it allows siblings to reveal their thoughts and feelings, rather than have them articulated by their parents. It is based upon diaries, questionnaires and conversations with every family member. It shows how each member was in those early years and how they are now, eighteen years after the tragedy.
The book was written not to honour this young boy, but to validate the feelings of parents and siblings who have suffered serious bereavement. It is a sad book, and it is the author's hope that any tears shed by readers will be for their own losses.
the book may be obtained through www.veritas.ie or at amazon.co.uk
The royalties from this book will be given to the Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin.


About the Author:
Dr Jim O 'Shea lives in Thurles in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. He runs a counselling service from his home.