Some feedback from writers poets and critics on the book

Quotes and comments from people who have had a preview of the book.


"I am a great believer in the public and collective potential of poetry, but I also think that a certain kind of poetry does resemble the ancient practice of a lone individual talking directly with God or the sacred," Alex Niven, editor of the Oxonian Review.


"I would be happy to support this book. It is very poignant and can help others." Jason Pegler, publisher, and author of "A can of Madness"

"Thank you for sending your poems though, which I've read. 

As they stand, I think they would make a lovely personal memorial for your wife" Kate Clanchy. 

(This one does not sit well at all with me! I publish it for the sake of balance. I just find it patronizing and insensitive.)






"I was honoured to conduct the funeral of the extraordinary woman at the centre of this book. Nick's book is intensely intimate: it takes the reader over wild seas of self-reflection, provoking learning all the way. Well worth reading." Emma Restell Orr, writer and druid.

An extraordinary woman at the centre of this book

"I was honoured to conduct the funeral of the extraordinary woman at the centre of this book. Nick's book is intensely intimate: it takes the reader over wild seas of self-reflection, provoking learning all the way. Well worth reading." Emma Restell Orr, writer and druid.


Good to have a new review of the book, however brief.

Third anniversary, memories, meditations and reflections.

I made a mandala from rose petals taken from flowers at the grave. Looks good enlarged.

The roses to the left of the grave have come into bloom, but the white maids of honour have yet to show themselves. Hawk, pig and frog stand guard as ever by the headstone.


Only a couple of weeks till the book launch now. I am getting really excited.

Updated Event details

Death and Dying: Doing it Better

Beyond the world and death

We find redeeming beauty

Through the eyes of love

Nick Owen’s new book, “A Journey through Grief” tells his own very personal story of working through bereavement with the help of poetry, prose and pictures.

Now he is helping others through the process of death, dying and bereavement.

At this meeting, Nick will explore the use of our creativity in facing one of the greatest challenges life brings us, the death of our most beloved, and our own death.

Exploring this with Nick will be:

                  Eve Richardson, Chief Executive of “Dying Matters”

“Dying Matters” is a national organisation set up in 2009, the year Nick’s wife Gill died, to help us all with issues of death and dying.

The event to launch Nick Owen’s book will be held at:

            

The Albion Beatnik Bookstore, Walton Street, Oxford.

                            

17^th July 2012,   8pm

Signed copies will be available from the author after the meeting at £10 each.

You can also order a copy via www.nickowenphotography.co.uk

Book Launch News Update

Eve Richardson, Chief Executive of the National Charity "Dying Matters" will lead the discussion of "Death and Dying, Doing It Better," at my book launch on 17th July.

http://www.dyingmatters.org/page/team

I haven't met her yet but I am told she is quite a character, and quite an attraction.

That makes two of us then.

Perhaps I should mention I was once Director of The Oxford School of Psychotherapy and Counselling,

and External Relations Rep for the HIPS section of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.

I will introduce my book and share a few poems, then Eve will talk about the work of Dying Matters.

She will then interview me about Gill and I.

We can then explore the issues raised with the audience for half an hour or so if people want to do so.

I shall sign books at the end if anyone wants to buy one.

Here is a picture of me reading a poem at the grave on the third anniversary of Gill's death.

Suddenly now the world is a better place for me.

On the third anniversary of Gill's death

I went to the grave today with flowers.

I am sharing this video I made at the grave
http://youtu.be/QVVPnXVkFU8

Betwixt and between

Caleb, Holly, Rosie, Sophie and Joel

It is a time of anniversaries,

not marriages, but deaths.

Holly's mother died eleven ago yesterday

and Gill died three years ago tomorrow.

Rosie and her mother are not talking to each other.

I try to tell them it is a bad idea, but they don't listen.

Rosie feels as if she doesn't have a home any more.

I am working with "Dying Matters" to sort out the discussion for my book launch next month.

I just watched their film about discussing death before it happens

Very moving

http://www.dyingmatters.org/page/dying-know-screened-packed-house-cannes

In the film the dying woman is going home to her dead husband.

Gill comes home to see me in my dreams sometimes.

But where do you go home to when you are like Henry the eighth? (as Holly used to call me.)

It was a terrible day yesterday.

Sophie the dog could hardly get up, and had to be rushed to the emergency vet.

Gabrielle was in so much pain with her arm that she needed to go to hospital too, later on.

I stayed very calm and helped us all through the distress.

I always was good in a crisis. It was very weird, Gabrielle having the same intense pain in her left arm that

Gill had when she went into hospital.

Luckily, Gabrielle is already much better, and Sophie is much more her usual self.

I spent time with both my daughters last week; helped Holly move her belongings to London, where she will

start a new job in September.

Helped Rosie make a film at college.

I am utterly delighted with things going so well for my girls.

I am bereft of the boys still. I haven't spoken to Caleb since his birthday.

I have only been in touch with Joel via Facebook.

I have put the children all together in a picture to share with you all here. It pleases me.

Maybe the children will visit.

Who knows?