MWSA Book Review

Grief Denied – A Vietnam Widow’s Story

Author:  Pauline Laurent

Publisher:  Catalyst for Change

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

Pauline Laurent’s shares her innermost self with the readers as she opens up parts of herself through her wonderfully written memoir, “Grief Denied – A Vietnam Widow’s Story.”  We get a widow's view of her heart and spirit and feel what she has felt and experienced.  This is truly a riveting tale of her personal journey and recovery.

The anguish and depression over the death of her husband in Vietnam is gripping.  She was but only 22 years old and pregnant and still very much in love.  In an unpopular war there was not much support for even widows.  Most had to suffer and bear the burden of grief silently and alone.  She was devastated and her emotional struggles to get her life back on track would take their toll on her.

I found myself with the author as she tried to find the path back to normalcy and at times sanity.  I was over come with my own emotions and admit to being misty eyed reading her story. However, you get the feeling that she was going to make her life work and deal with it all.  Readers will find themselves rooting for her and praying for her as I did.  In the end, you will realize this book is more about healing and hope and love than pain or suffering.

I am fortunate to be a friend of Pauline.  She of course, makes everyone feel like a good or best friend — she is that kind of women.  She now offers self-improvement help to others through her active life coaching services.  She has been to emotional places that few visit and now that experience is helping others to cope and healing.

This book will inspire you and help you to focus on some of your own hidden issues.  I strongly urge you to buy and read this book.

MWSA's 2004 Silver Medal Award for Non-Fiction Personal Memoirs