This book investigates the psychological mechanisms of grief and how an individual's unique history of loss dictates their mourning process. Dr. Volkan, a recognized authority in the field of psychiatry, utilizes clinical observations and case studies to argue that mourning is a highly individualized experience. He provides a framework for understanding how past attachments and previous bereavements influence the way a person navigates the death of a loved one.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of the mourning process. Readers frequently note the clinical depth of the prose while appreciating the author's compassionate approach to a difficult subject.