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A Matter of Death and Life

Love, Loss and What Matters in the End

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A Matter of Death and Life

By: Marilyn Yalom, Irvin D. Yalom
Narrated by: Jim Frangione, Pam Ward
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Internationally renowned psychiatrist and author Irvin Yalom has devoted his career to counselling those suffering from anxiety and grief. But never had he faced the need to counsel himself until his wife, esteemed feminist author Marilyn Yalom, was diagnosed with cancer. In A Matter of Death and Life, Marilyn and Irvin share how they took on profound new struggles: Marilyn to die a good death, Irvin to live on without her.

In alternating accounts of their last months together and Irvin's first months alone, they offer us a rare window into coping with death and the loss of one's beloved. The Yaloms had rare blessings - a loving family, a beautiful home, a large circle of friends, avid readers around the world, and a long, fulfilling marriage - but they faced death as we all do. With the candour and wisdom of those who have thought deeply and loved well, they investigate universal questions of intimacy, love, and grief.

Informed by two lifetimes of experience, A Matter of Death and Life offers poignant insights and solace to all those seeking to fight despair in the face of death, so that they can live meaningfully.

©2021 Irvin Yalom and Marilyn Yalom (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Grief & Loss Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Marriage Grief Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

"Illuminating and vivid, a beautiful examination of the consolation of a life well-lived, and a beacon of hope to all of us who will be bereaved." (Kathryn Mannix)

"An unforgettable and achingly beautiful story of enduring love." (Lori Gottleib)

"Wise, beautiful, heartbreaking, raw." (The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
what not to Love about Yalom he is pure genius. Such a powerful book.

just love dr Yalom

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Loved the themes and flow of this book
Loved the fact that it was written by Irv and Marilyn from their different perspectives.
I was moved and surprised by Irv’s rather brutal honesty especially in the last few chapters.
This was a great book right up there with Atul Gawande, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and Paul Kalanithi for great books exploring death and life in my opinion.

Moving and honest

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As a psychotherapist myself I have followed Dr Yalom closely, used his wisdom with my own clients and held him in my head while in sessions. This book focuses on Yalom's processes before, during and after the death of his wife whom he met when he was 15, she 14. If this book fails to move, create a tear or two or does not stimulate thought on deeply difficult areas of death and life then I would be astounded. A man nearing the end of his own life, willing to share his grief is the mark of a great and also a deeply humble man.

Heart wrenching

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I like how honest Irvin is about his feelings and reflections on his life. I think his wife found it harder to get beneath herself in this way, although Irvin continually tells us she was the more stable of the two, yet it is his honesty about his true self that really shines through.

Honesty Shines Through

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Despite its tackling a grim topic, this listen has still been intriguing and very educative throughout. Grateful to Dr. Yalom for letting us in into this most intimate of experiences of a grieving therapist 🙏

Intimacy of grief

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