Book Report

No Time to Say Good-bye, C. Fine

Author: Carla Fine –– Review by: Susan Conlin Opheim, SOS Support Group Facilitator - April 1997

Carla Fine is a survivor telling her own story and the stories of some of the 150 other survivors she interviewed. This very easy to read book can help survivors identify and explore their own personal situations and individual feelings.
As an author, Carla has a talent for putting very descriptive words on so many feelings. She is able to explore the wide range of emotions and experiences that are linked to the many topics she addresses in the book. At one point she tells us, “…the suicide of a loved one irrevocably transforms us. Our world explodes and we are never the same.”

Carla’s story begins with the personal discovery of her husband and continues through the funeral and on to her first support group. This is where she shares her fears and discloses what really happened to her husband. Her very human writing effectively touches one’s feelings as her words so accurately described her situation. She talks about the stigma, the effects on families, legal and financial problems, and the long term effects that are associated with suicide. She also explores with us the ‘whats’ and ‘whys’ of the blame/shame and examines our roller coaster emotions. Of most importance, Carla concludes with words of wisdom that emphasis forgiveness and healing. In doing this, she is able to share with us how this particular tragedy has shaped her own life and how she and others have gone on to live their lives as ‘survivors.’

I recommend this book to anyone who is a survivor of suicide or who works with/supports survivors.

SOS Newsletter Article, Mental Health Center of Dane County, Inc.