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The Fine Art of Grieving
"Grief is best done with a vivid imagination" - Jane Edberg
Jane Edberg's creative muse vanished when a switch flipped from child
alive to child dead. How was she supposed to process her loss? This
lyrical, original, beautifully written story is about how, after the tragic
death of her adored nineteen-year-old son, she rediscovers the power
of art to create an unconventional pathway through grief. This is not
your typical grief memoir. It is an introspective and thought-provoking
story which explores the profound power of creativity to transform
trauma and anguish into resilience and healing. Her journey is
illuminated with breathtaking, fine art photographs of reimagined loss.
"The Fine Art of Grieving is the most honest, profound, beautifully
written, and shockingly illustrated account of the grieving process I’ve
ever witnessed. Absolutely brilliant!"
� Dr. Sandra Bertman, author of Facing Death: images, Insights,
and Interventions
Jane Edberg is a published author and internationally exhibited artist
whose work explores personal transformation and healing. She recently
collaborated with poet John Brantingham in creating an illustrated
poetry book that addresses isolation and observation in the quiet
spaces of the COVID-19 pandemic titled My Dead, published by Kelsay
Books in 2023. Jane was born in England but resides in the United
States where she currently teaches writing and art at the Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute at the University of California, Monterey Bay. She also
serves as co-editor showcasing art and literature at The Journal of
Radical Wonder.
Jane Edberg's creative muse vanished when a switch flipped from child
alive to child dead. How was she supposed to process her loss? This
lyrical, original, beautifully written story is about how, after the tragic
death of her adored nineteen-year-old son, she rediscovers the power
of art to create an unconventional pathway through grief. This is not
your typical grief memoir. It is an introspective and thought-provoking
story which explores the profound power of creativity to transform
trauma and anguish into resilience and healing. Her journey is
illuminated with breathtaking, fine art photographs of reimagined loss.
"The Fine Art of Grieving is the most honest, profound, beautifully
written, and shockingly illustrated account of the grieving process I’ve
ever witnessed. Absolutely brilliant!"
� Dr. Sandra Bertman, author of Facing Death: images, Insights,
and Interventions
Jane Edberg is a published author and internationally exhibited artist
whose work explores personal transformation and healing. She recently
collaborated with poet John Brantingham in creating an illustrated
poetry book that addresses isolation and observation in the quiet
spaces of the COVID-19 pandemic titled My Dead, published by Kelsay
Books in 2023. Jane was born in England but resides in the United
States where she currently teaches writing and art at the Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute at the University of California, Monterey Bay. She also
serves as co-editor showcasing art and literature at The Journal of
Radical Wonder.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2024
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Jane Edberg
2Ìýbooks1ÌýfollowerJane, an award winning author, holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Davis with an emphasis in photography, painting, and performance art. She taught photography and art for thirty years, retiring after twenty years at Gavilan College. She currently teaches art and writing at California State University Monterey Bay’s OLLI Program. She serves as the arts editor and a contributing editor at The Journal of Radical Wonder. Her art has been published and exhibited internationally.
Jane Edberg has recently completed an illustrated memoir called The Fine Art of Grieving, published by Linen Press Books, 2024. She writes memoir, flash, and poetry. Her writing is featured in the books, Death, and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: Field Notes from The Death Dialogues Project; Sasse Museum of Art: Terry Givens Ekphrasis Collection; My Dead, Kelsey Books, 2024, in the flash anthology, BAM 42 Stories (to be released in 2024); and in journals, including Cholla Needles, and Gyroscope Review. She is a Community of Writers alumna (Squaw Valley). She is a member of the Association of Death Education and Counseling and was invited to present her prose and images at their international conferences.
Literary Titan Gold Award - five stars
Firebird Award - 2nd place Memoir - five stars
Jane Edberg has recently completed an illustrated memoir called The Fine Art of Grieving, published by Linen Press Books, 2024. She writes memoir, flash, and poetry. Her writing is featured in the books, Death, and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: Field Notes from The Death Dialogues Project; Sasse Museum of Art: Terry Givens Ekphrasis Collection; My Dead, Kelsey Books, 2024, in the flash anthology, BAM 42 Stories (to be released in 2024); and in journals, including Cholla Needles, and Gyroscope Review. She is a Community of Writers alumna (Squaw Valley). She is a member of the Association of Death Education and Counseling and was invited to present her prose and images at their international conferences.
Literary Titan Gold Award - five stars
Firebird Award - 2nd place Memoir - five stars
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 18, 2024
In The Fine Art of Grieving, Jane Edberg guides readers through the deeply emotional landscape of mourning her son Nanda's untimely death. Through evocative vignettes, Edberg captures the profound depths of maternal grief, using photography and various art forms to navigate her emotions and memories. The narrative seamlessly intertwines past and present, illustrating moments with her family and her solitary struggles with loss. This culminates in a powerful exploration of personal transformation and acceptance.
Edberg’s The Fine Art of Grieving is a moving exploration of a grieving mother's journey. One of the book's most compelling aspects is Edberg’s use of art as a means to process her grief. Her vivid descriptions of photography sessions, art installations, and spontaneous artistic creations offer a unique and engaging framework for understanding her experience. This artistic lens not only enriches the narrative but also highlights the transformative power of creativity in the face of profound loss. While the book's emotional intensity and detailed grief rituals powerfully enhance its authenticity, I feel some readers might find these aspects deeply resonant and immersive. For those experiencing similar losses, these elements may evoke a sense of connection, underscoring Edberg's genuine and heartfelt portrayal of her mourning process.
The varied settings—from the intimacy of the family home to the expansiveness of natural landscapes—serve as poignant backdrops that echo the themes of life, death, and rebirth. Supporting characters like Rachel, Roger, and the friends who participate in Edberg’s art projects add depth to the narrative, underscoring the importance of community and shared experiences in the grieving process.
The Fine Art of Grieving is a beautifully raw and inspiring work. Edberg’s heartfelt prose and innovative use of art make this a significant read for those interested in the impact of grief and the cathartic power of creativity. Her courageous exploration of pain stands as a testament to the enduring strength of love.
Edberg’s The Fine Art of Grieving is a moving exploration of a grieving mother's journey. One of the book's most compelling aspects is Edberg’s use of art as a means to process her grief. Her vivid descriptions of photography sessions, art installations, and spontaneous artistic creations offer a unique and engaging framework for understanding her experience. This artistic lens not only enriches the narrative but also highlights the transformative power of creativity in the face of profound loss. While the book's emotional intensity and detailed grief rituals powerfully enhance its authenticity, I feel some readers might find these aspects deeply resonant and immersive. For those experiencing similar losses, these elements may evoke a sense of connection, underscoring Edberg's genuine and heartfelt portrayal of her mourning process.
The varied settings—from the intimacy of the family home to the expansiveness of natural landscapes—serve as poignant backdrops that echo the themes of life, death, and rebirth. Supporting characters like Rachel, Roger, and the friends who participate in Edberg’s art projects add depth to the narrative, underscoring the importance of community and shared experiences in the grieving process.
The Fine Art of Grieving is a beautifully raw and inspiring work. Edberg’s heartfelt prose and innovative use of art make this a significant read for those interested in the impact of grief and the cathartic power of creativity. Her courageous exploration of pain stands as a testament to the enduring strength of love.
December 3, 2024
The best art makes you feel deeply while keeping you interested in the details of the piece. The beauty and intricacy that support and surround the emotion bring you back again and again to explore the patterns and colors while tasting the spices of sensation in a new way.
In a book about the death of a son, readers know we’re going to experience something awful. And we do, immediately, in the first chapter. But we see Jane’s grief through her artist’s filter and the grief isn’t overwhelming, it’s intriguing.
Then there’s a period of memoir, interesting memoir, well told, before we dive into an abyss of grief. But it isn’t wallowing. It’s real. She surprises us. It’s fascinating watching this person we’re coming to know well process the reality of her son’s death and keep returning to art to make sense of it.
Many of the chapters are centered around a moment that was memorialized in an art photograph by Jane. These aren’t snapshots, they’re art, showing emotions from an unusual or unexpected point of view. It’s surprisingly rewarding to experience a moment in time through her words, then jump into the cold pool of clarity brought by the photo we just read about.
The best memoirs read like fiction with characters and stories that grab your attention and keep you reading.
The Fine Art of Grieving is great art and wonderful writing in one place.
In a book about the death of a son, readers know we’re going to experience something awful. And we do, immediately, in the first chapter. But we see Jane’s grief through her artist’s filter and the grief isn’t overwhelming, it’s intriguing.
Then there’s a period of memoir, interesting memoir, well told, before we dive into an abyss of grief. But it isn’t wallowing. It’s real. She surprises us. It’s fascinating watching this person we’re coming to know well process the reality of her son’s death and keep returning to art to make sense of it.
Many of the chapters are centered around a moment that was memorialized in an art photograph by Jane. These aren’t snapshots, they’re art, showing emotions from an unusual or unexpected point of view. It’s surprisingly rewarding to experience a moment in time through her words, then jump into the cold pool of clarity brought by the photo we just read about.
The best memoirs read like fiction with characters and stories that grab your attention and keep you reading.
The Fine Art of Grieving is great art and wonderful writing in one place.
January 6, 2025
From Heartache to Healing: Jane Edberg’s Journey of Grief and Art
Life crashes down when someone you love is lost. Having faced the deaths of my mother, sister, father, and other close family members, I understand the weight of grief. That’s why Jane Edberg’s The Fine Art of Grieving resonated so deeply—it felt like stepping into a world I knew based on the emotional complexity of my own experiences. Edberg’s work is a universal trek through loss and explores the transformative power of creativity. She offers a glimpse at how devastation can become an impetus for self-discovery. After the unfortunate death of her 19-year-old son, Nanda, Edberg channeled her sorrow into a journey that blends photography, installations, and performance. Through her work, she transforms unbearable pain into something lasting and meaningful.
The Fine Art of Grieving is an invitation to explore how creativity and loss intertwine. For those willing to confront life’s heaviest truths, this book offers both solace and perspective. Edberg’s account reminds us of how while grief changes us, it also opens a path to discovering strength and meaning in unexpected places.
Life crashes down when someone you love is lost. Having faced the deaths of my mother, sister, father, and other close family members, I understand the weight of grief. That’s why Jane Edberg’s The Fine Art of Grieving resonated so deeply—it felt like stepping into a world I knew based on the emotional complexity of my own experiences. Edberg’s work is a universal trek through loss and explores the transformative power of creativity. She offers a glimpse at how devastation can become an impetus for self-discovery. After the unfortunate death of her 19-year-old son, Nanda, Edberg channeled her sorrow into a journey that blends photography, installations, and performance. Through her work, she transforms unbearable pain into something lasting and meaningful.
The Fine Art of Grieving is an invitation to explore how creativity and loss intertwine. For those willing to confront life’s heaviest truths, this book offers both solace and perspective. Edberg’s account reminds us of how while grief changes us, it also opens a path to discovering strength and meaning in unexpected places.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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