a grief sublime

A nonfiction novel by Beth Robbins

“… this book is a most lyrical, beautiful and profound rumination on grief, poetry, resurrection.”
—maira kalman

 “Liminal is derived from the Latin limen, meaning threshold. It is a transitional or initial stage of a process. It means a position in more than one realm. Or, in a sense, in no realm. Pure potential. Limitless energy. It recognizes boundaries, and yet exists in the boundless. It is sometimes concluded to be the realm of the imagination. I experience it as a reality, almost tangible.” —Beth Robbins, A Grief Sublime 

Beth Robbins begins A Grief Sublime with the moment she is informed of her husband’s sudden death in a car accident. The book moves in a fragmented way, from the aftermath of devastation, to her childhood near Long Beach, New York, to moments in her marriage to Steve “Sproutman” Meyerowitz, to the lived experience of grief.

The lyrical style which defines the book brings readers into the direct and immediate experience of deep tragedy as well as literature. She enters into conversation with Keats and Whitman, Melville and Dickinson, discovering, through these writers, that grief has amplified life’s spectrum, welcoming her into the realm of literature where imagination meets experience in new and profound ways.

“The fragmentation, or, perhaps better said, the shattering of my world,” says Beth, “led me to look for conversation, reconnection, dialogue. My poets, as I began to call them, offered me solace. They spoke to meaning and purpose. Somehow Steve’s death allowed me to (re)discover my strength.”

This story is ultimately hopeful and transcendent, transforming despair into a new experience of life. And a recognition of the love that remains after death.

“writing can save your life.
poetry can save your life.
and love.
well love can save your life a thousand times.
this book is a most lyrical, beautiful and profound rumination on grief, poetry, resurrection.”

— maira kalman, writer and illustrator

“Luminous, breathtaking, A GRIEF SUBLIME takes us gently by the hand and beckons us to walk beyond the edges of pain into a transcendent world where the dead and living co-exist. Emerson speaks in the forest. Whitman reaches out to us with ink-stained hands. Keats perches in a bedroom, waiting for us to fully wake. Robbins’ haunting. poetic memoir lives seamlessly between realms of awake and asleep, alert and dreaming, life and death, creating an otherworldly space filled with love and hope.”

— Cynthia Wade, Academy Award winning film director

“A poignant, accessible, beautifully written book that provides a rare glimpse of what it is like to suddenly lose your husband of 30 years in a tragic car crash. And how to not only survive the loss, but grow deeply through the experience.”

— Alison Larkin, bestselling author of The English American

“I’ve finished reading A Grief Sublime, and I admire it a good deal. A one-of-a-kind book, it’s an amalgamation of a novel, a memoir, a long poem, and a meditation. All of its elements work very well together––e.g., the arrangement of the narrative into lines of poetry—with lots of open space on every page—makes it all the more readable at the same time it enhances the gravitas of subject matter.”

— David Huddle, poet

PRESS

FROM READERS

I just finished the book. It was incredible. I don’t even have the capacity to express how good it was. –Sebastian

I read into the wee hours of the night. The kind of book to read again and again. –Barbara

I am genuinely moved and astonished by the book. –Josh

Your book is literally breathtaking! I just ordered four copies of the book to give to people as Christmas presents. I can’t stop thinking about it. –Lori

I’m very rarely moved to tears or laughter while reading, but "A Grief Sublime" was the exception. You move through time and voices with such grace. The structure of the book is striking without distracting from the core truths. [dancing in the liminal] is one of the most beautiful passages I’ve read in my life. Thank you for your brilliance and bravery. I can’t wait to see what you create next. –Evan

This book is beautiful, rich, deep, meaningful, painful and joyful, scintillating with love and presence. I feel so honored to be brought into your intimate inner world. I hope it flies far out into the world for many many readers to experience. Your words are a gift. –Kaya

I picked up the book this afternoon. When I got home I took a peek at it but I could not stop and have just finished it now. I have cried and laughed and been able to be present in those spaces with you. I thank you for it all. –Jo

Your writing is beautiful! Couldn't put it down until it was finished. So happy and proud of you.The level of depth and growth are truly beautiful. –Caroline