No Time to Say Goodbye

December 2, 1996
In 1989, the author's husband of 21 years, 44-year-old Harry, a New York City physician who was depressed over the recent deaths of his parents, killed himself with a lethal dose of an anesthetic. Stunned by her loss, Fine (Married to Medicine: An Intimate Portrait of Doctors' Wives) searched in vain for books on how to deal with the suicide of a loved one. In her comprehensive and well-written manual for "suicide survivors," such as herself, she offers advice for those recovering from the suicide of a marital partner, relative or close friend. Drawing on research, interviews with survivors and her own experience, Fine provides insights into living beyond this tragedy including dealing with feelings of guilt and anger, the stigma of suicide and financial and legal problems, and she tells where to get help. She stresses that joining a peer support group is an important coping tool. Although some of the descriptions of suicides make for harrowing reading, the book is a valuable contribution to an overlooked subject.

December 1, 1996
A great many books have been written on the reasons for suicide from the victim's point of view, but this powerful work deals with the wrenching emotional effects of unexpected purposeful death on grieving survivors. The author's husband, seemingly a thriving physician, took his life in December 1989. Fine's discovery of his body left her with a flood of mixed emotions and anguish that inspired her to record, in vividly honest terms, the legacy of suicide on survivors. Despite the permanent sadness and even humiliation that suicide survivors face, this book offers hope in its summary of predictable patterns of adjustment. Sections move from the suicide, to its aftermath, to survival and how to make sense of the chaos. An excellent appendix includes current information on organizations, resource materials, and support groups for suicide survivors. The bibliography is extensive and useful. Recommended for public libraries and specialized mental health collections.--Catherine T. Charvat, John Marshall Lib., Alexandria, Va.

December 1, 1996
Few events in life are as traumatic as the suicide of a loved one, as Carla Fine knows firsthand. Fine's husband killed himself seven years ago, and she battled with the emotional turmoil so common to survivors of a suicide. Using her experiences, those of other survivors, and advice from mental-health professionals, Fine provides a compassionate guide for dealing with the guilt, anger, and confusion. The pain is made worse by the social stigma attached to suicide, an act that is still considered criminal. Fine herself initially lied to coworkers, telling them her husband died of a heart attack rather than face the embarrassment of the truth. In unearthing the causes of this torment, Fine hopes to foster healing, in part by stressing the importance of forgiving the absent person. Sensitive and curative, this book offers a frank look at a subject many would prefer to ignore. ((Reviewed December 1, 1996))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1996, American Library Association.)