Try free for 30 days

  • The Other Side of Sadness

  • What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss
  • By: George A. Bonanno
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
  • Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Other Side of Sadness cover art

The Other Side of Sadness

By: George A. Bonanno
Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

In this thoroughly revised and updated classic, a renowned psychologist shows that mourning is far from predictable, and all of us share a surprising ability to be resilient

The conventional view of grieving - encapsulated by the famous five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - is defined by a mourning process that we can only hope to accept and endure.

In The Other Side of Sadness, psychologist and emotions expert George Bonanno argues otherwise. Our inborn emotions - anger and denial, but also relief and joy - help us deal effectively with loss. To expect or require only grief-stricken behavior from the bereaved does them harm. In fact, grieving goes beyond mere sadness, and it can actually deepen interpersonal connections and even lead to a new sense of meaning in life.

©2009, 2010, 2019 George A. Bonanno (P)2019 Basic Books

Critic Reviews

"Bonanno, the most productive and influential bereavement researcher in America today, has changed the scientific landscape in the field of grief and bereavement." (Camille Wortman, professor of psychology, Stony Brook University)

"Fascinating and readable...a sensitive and sensible view of loss." (New York Times)

"This is a valuable book for Bonanno's application of the scientific method to a field that badly needs it." (New Scientist)

What listeners say about The Other Side of Sadness

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This is not a self-help book

"All emotions, including sadness, are short-term solutions. If we remain in a constant state of sadness or feel sad for too long a time, we run the risk of ruminating and withdrawing from the world around us. If we express too much sadness, we begin to alienate the very people whose help and support we most need.

Fortunately, nature has provided a built-in solution. Rather than staying sad for long periods of time, our experience of emotions comes and goes. It oscillates. Over time the cycle widens, and gradually
we return to a state of equilibrium."

This is not a self-help book. The author did not tell you how to cope with loss but rather helped you understand scientifically the human nature, psychology and cultures behind bereavement and loss. From there, it is you who will decide what you would do and how.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.