Michele B

Over the last several years I have been intrigued with heartbreak, loss, grieving and the varied ways people navigate and heal through these journeys. There are several reasons for my interest in these subjects. I am a nurse with a 40 yr. career focusing in the ER and Hospice; a caregiver of family members young and old through illness and death and like many, have and will continue to experience heartbreak.

Heartbreak by Florence Williams allowed us to look at Heartbreak from many different angles. As suggested in the subtitle personal and scientifically; and through the experience of others and through many interesting studies.

I found myself taking notes about things that really helped me to better understand reactions and feelings, of my own experiences, as well as others that I have witnessed.

As I read, I also found myself stopping and sharing things with others in the room that I really found interesting. I took notes of places that I wanted to visit (The Butterfly Garden) and or learn more about; (Cyberball) as well as other book references (both of Williams and other authors and experts).

For me this book was a page turner as it continued to pique my interest, at times not wanting to put it down; other times needing to put it down to soak in the heavy information. I found I was able to apply what I was learning to romantic heartbreak; traumatic loss; family dysfunction in its many forms and illness suffered from these loses (physical, phycological, spiritual).

By the end of the book, I felt I had insight into a few new tools that I could use and share on my life journey as the "hits" find their way and "keep on coming".

Full transparency there was one part especially that went too in depth; shared too much and was over all uncomfortable (in the OG Sin chapter)- I would have been able to glean the info needed without reading the very personal encounter in this chapter.

I participate in two book clubs and am anxious to share this book, until then I will be sharing other published works from Florence Williams. Thank you for this opportunity, it was truly "fascinating and comprehensive".