Twice now I have tried to get into this book, and both times I put it down. I have endured way too much death and grief in my own life, and also am a grief therapist. I found Ms. Didion's writings to be devoid of emotion, very bland, very matter of fact. Yes i understand all the parameters around grief, we all deal differently etc..but I expected more. I have read at least a couple of hundred books on loss, grief and death, and this one left me wanting the old ones. Very disappointed.