Reviews
About What Was Lost: Twenty Writers on Miscarriage, Healing, and Hope by Jessica Berger Gross
lexiww's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most candid, poignant collections of writing on the topic.
aharman13's review against another edition
4.0
What made this book unique was the 20 different takes on what and how miscarriage became a part of these women's stories. It was a nice validation that everyone can experience something similar in very different ways.
ohhkatrina's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't really connect with many of these stories. Not sure why.
mzjai117's review against another edition
3.0
I found this gem at a library sale. I purchased it mainly for educational purposes on my journey of becoming a full spectrum doula. Reading this book helped me understand all of the complex feelings surrounding miscarriage and stillbirth. All of of the silence surrounding miscarriage and how it's so uncommon and common all at the same time. All the women who have had miscarriages who haven't ever had a chance to talk about all of their feelings surrounding the events. Some women went on to have children while others adopted and other women never had children. All of the experiences were the same but overall had different elements and themes. Overall it helped me in learning how to help other's during their time of need.
amanda_trausch's review against another edition
5.0
This book was instrumental in getting me through one of the worst experiences in my life. The stories of each of the women in this book helped me to put a voice to what I was going through, when it was otherwise so hard to put words to my emotions. It helped me to see that not everyone experiences a miscarriage in quite the same way, and there are no "wrong" emotions to have.
khoerner7's review
3.0
Thought it is a sad topic, I was surprised that so many people's stories are so similar to each other and to mine. It was nice to finally read stories of people who have been through this experience that so few are willing to talk about.
vlbouchard's review
2.0
2.5 stars. This book is so hard to rate. I was thinking it would be between a 2 or a 3 for me. I ultimately decided to go with the 2.5 rating because I wouldn’t recommend this book. I think the book’s subtitle should be changed to “20 Pro-Choice Writers in Miscarriage, Healing, and Hope.”
All of the essays were well written. Some of the essays spoke to me deeply. But for being a book about miscarriages I was shocked to find how many discussed abortions as well. Being as I am in the depths of grief after my own miscarriage, I had a very hard time reading these essays. To save anyone else from reading these I am going to list the 6 essay titles you should skip if reading about abortion would be difficult for you:
“Twins”
“Mother of Three, Two Children Short”
“Pregnancy and Other Natural Disasters”
“My Others”
“A Globe of Light”
“The Road Home”
Overall this was not the book for me. I think that there is a place for these essays and I am sure there are women who can relate. I am pro-life and in the pain of grief. Reading these essays, by writers who are obviously pro-choice, only convinced me even more of how life begins far earlier than pro-choicers would like you to believe.
All of the essays were well written. Some of the essays spoke to me deeply. But for being a book about miscarriages I was shocked to find how many discussed abortions as well. Being as I am in the depths of grief after my own miscarriage, I had a very hard time reading these essays. To save anyone else from reading these I am going to list the 6 essay titles you should skip if reading about abortion would be difficult for you:
“Twins”
“Mother of Three, Two Children Short”
“Pregnancy and Other Natural Disasters”
“My Others”
“A Globe of Light”
“The Road Home”
Overall this was not the book for me. I think that there is a place for these essays and I am sure there are women who can relate. I am pro-life and in the pain of grief. Reading these essays, by writers who are obviously pro-choice, only convinced me even more of how life begins far earlier than pro-choicers would like you to believe.
mzjai117's review
3.0
I found this gem at a library sale. I purchased it mainly for educational purposes on my journey of becoming a full spectrum doula. Reading this book helped me understand all of the complex feelings surrounding miscarriage and stillbirth. All of of the silence surrounding miscarriage and how it's so uncommon and common all at the same time. All the women who have had miscarriages who haven't ever had a chance to talk about all of their feelings surrounding the events. Some women went on to have children while others adopted and other women never had children. All of the experiences were the same but overall had different elements and themes. Overall it helped me in learning how to help other's during their time of need.
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