Mourning Sickness

For those of you who have been following all the reviews for Elizabeth McCracken’s book, An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, here is something else that need to be added to your reading list:

Mourning Sickness edited by Missy Martin and Jesse Loren

In this 186 page book you will find a variety of writings on miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. What is unique (to me) about this book is that it is not only mothers writing about their experience. Fathers, grandparents, children and others also tell their stories as well.

Mourning Sickness contains a variety of writings” memoir, fiction, poetry. The writing is beautiful, sad, tender. The anguish and disappointment felt by those writers is real. It can be felt within the pages.

Lisa Marling, author of Feel Better, describes her heartache after losing twins, her experience in the hospital before being discharged, the comments made by the staff. Marling writes:

“I awaken. I want to vomit. I want to scream. I want to hold my babies and snuggle them to my neck. I want-… A student nurse enters. She is cheery and talks too much…She tells me that I will feel better when I get home to my children. She tells me this won’t be as difficult or sad since I have children at home. I want to crush her skull.”

Those who contributed to this book show tremendous courage in the face of grief in sharing their experiences with others.

I can think of people I know who would find companionship between the pages of Mourning. Companionship, understanding, a sense of community for those who have lost little ones. If you know someone who has suffered the loss of a child, this is a must read.