Grief

"The art of losing isn't hard to master," wrote poet Elizabeth Bishop. Perhaps she meant that we will all face loss at some point in our lives. In this collection, we have brought together texts that take up the universal experience of grief.

The Cherry Orchard

by Anton Chekhov

Publication year 1904

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Grief, The Past, Social Class

Tags Tragedy, Comedy & Satire, Russian Literature, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Classic Fiction

Written in 1903 and first performed in 1904, The Cherry Orchard is the final work by acclaimed Russian playwright and author Anton Chekhov. Considered a classic of modern theater, the play tells the story of Lubov Andreyevna Ranevsky, an aristocratic Russian landowner who returns home after spending five years in Paris. She discovers that her family’s estate and renowned cherry orchard must be sold to cover debts. The enterprising merchant Lopakhin offers Lubov a plan to save the... Read The Cherry Orchard Summary

The Choice

by Nicholas Sparks

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Fate, Grief, Marriage

Tags Romance, Love & Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

Nicholas Sparks’s The Choice (2007) is a traditional romance novel that delves into the complexities of love, choices, and life’s unforeseen events. The story unfolds in the picturesque coastal town of Beaufort, North Carolina, where Travis Parker, an easygoing bachelor, encounters a life-changing series of events when Gabby Holland, a determined medical student, becomes his neighbor. The novel examines the themes of Coincidence Versus Destiny, Choices and Their Consequences, and Challenges to Romantic Relationships.Sparks is... Read The Choice Summary

The Christmas Pig

by J. K. Rowling

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Grief, Childhood & Youth, Objects & Materials, Family, Siblings, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Children`s Literature

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The Cold Dish

by Craig Johnson

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Community, Justice

Tags Western, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense

The Cold Dish is a 2004 western mystery novel by Craig Johnson. The first of a series featuring Walt Longmire, sheriff of the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, the novel explores concepts related to legal and vigilante justice, including within the context of an Indigenous community. The Cold Dish earned Johnson a nomination for the Dilys Award, and the series was later adapted into a 2012 television series called Longmire, which was a critical and popular... Read The Cold Dish Summary

The Color of My Words

by Lynn Joseph

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Literature, Family, Grief

Tags Coming of Age, Arts & Culture, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Published in 2001 by HarperCollins, The Color of My Words is a children’s novel written by lawyer and author, Lynn Joseph. The novel follows an adolescent protagonist, Ana Rosa, as she observes the world around her and eventually discovers the power of her own voice through writing. The Color of My Words received significant critical recognition, and the International Reading Association and the American Library Association named it a notable book. This study guide refers... Read The Color of My Words Summary

The Comfort of Crows

by Margaret Renkl

Publication year 2023

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Grief, Memory, Aging, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Climate, Environment, Plants, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Globalization, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Animals, Science & Nature

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The Correspondent

by Virginia Evans

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Regret, Disability, Gender Identity, Indigenous Identity, Mental Health, Death, Marriage, Mothers, Siblings, Community, Beauty, Literature

Tags Epistolary Fiction, Domestic Fiction

... Read The Correspondent Summary

The Cost of Knowing

by Brittney Morris

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Siblings, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Joy, Love, Memory, Regret, Shame & Pride, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Future, The Past, Fathers, Equality, Fate, Justice, Safety & Danger, Music, Appearance & Reality

Tags Magical Realism, Coming of Age, Race & Racism, Science Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness, Fantasy

... Read The Cost of Knowing Summary

The Dead

by Susan Mitchell

Publication year 1983

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Death, Memory, Grief, Place, Objects & Materials, Nostalgia

Tags Lyric Poem, Free Verse, American Literature, Grief & Death

... Read The Dead Summary

The Dead Zone

by Stephen King

Publication year 1979

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Shame & Pride

Tags Horror & Suspense, Science Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Religion & Spirituality, Relationships, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy

The Dead Zone (1979) is a science fiction thriller novel by Stephen King. King’s story about a man who sees visions of the future after awakening from a years-long coma explores themes of missed opportunity, belief, and the sacrifices inherent in moral action. The novel was nominated for numerous awards, including the 1980 Locus Award, and has been adapted for film (1983) and television (2002-07). Please be advised that The Dead Zone includes mention of... Read The Dead Zone Summary