How to Grieve

An engaging new translation of a timeless masterpiece about coping with the death of a loved one

In 45 BCE, the Roman statesman Cicero fell to pieces when his beloved daughter, Tullia, died from complications of childbirth. But from the depths of despair, Cicero fought his way back. In an effort to cope with his loss, he wrote a consolation speechΓÇönot for others, as had always been done, but for himself. And it worked. CiceroΓÇÖs Consolation was something new in literature, equal parts philosophy and motivational speech. Drawing on the full range of Greek philosophy and Roman history, Cicero convinced himself that death and loss are part of life, and that if others have survived them, we can, too; resilience, endurance, and fortitude are the way forward.

Lost in antiquity, CiceroΓÇÖs Consolation was recreated in the Renaissance from hints in CiceroΓÇÖs other writings and the Greek and Latin consolatory tradition. The resulting masterpieceΓÇötranslated here for the first time in 250 yearsΓÇöis infused throughout with CiceroΓÇÖs thought and spirit.

Complete with the original Latin on facing pages and an inviting introduction, Michael FontaineΓÇÖs engaging translation makes this searching exploration of grief available to readers once again.