by Kelly Jad'on

Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce & Recovery: 101 stories About Surviving and Thriving After Divorce (Soul Pub, 2008) by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Hansen

The purpose of this new paperback from the successful Chicken Soup for the Soul series, is to reassure the reader that though divorce and recovery is hard, you’ll survive, you’re not alone, and you can be happy and independent.

Broken into nine sections, the stories focus on:

• Is this the end, or the beginning?
• Forgiving and letting go
• The marriage is over, but we’re still friends
• A family is broken, but our hearts are not
• Special moments and everyday miracles
• “It’s all about me!”
• Dating after divorce
• Blended families
• New ideas and wisdom

The narratives in these sections provide emotional support for shock, complications, children’s needs, self-reliance, dating, remarriage, and recovery. Most are from female contributors, exploring viewpoints of both young and adult children whose parents divorce. The reader will also find out what to expect in the dating world after many years of marriage, and learn about how others made peace with their spouses.

An example comes from Monica Giglio, who tells a childhood story of how she barely survived a fall through thin ice which taught her lifelong lessons about how to carry on when life seems bleak and hopeless. These are all heart-warming stories which can help ease the pain of divorce.

Jack Canfield is the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. At one time he received a Guinness World Record certificate for having seven books from his popular series appear on the New York Times bestseller list.

Mark Hansen is the co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. An author and speaker, he works with Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and the March of Dimes.

Patty Hansen was President of legal and licensing for Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises until April, ’08. She remains active in Chicken Soup for the Soul Pub. LLC.

4 Stars

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Update on Oct 20, 2008 by At Basil & Spice

Chicago Sun-Times!

Reuters!