Necessary Losses: The Loves, Illusions, Dependencies, and Impossible Expectations That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Grow

Judith Viorst argues that growing up means giving things up. She describes how we lose our first illusions of a perfect, safe attachment to our mothers, our dreams of the ideal love and our expectations of ourselves, and she shows how the acceptance of such losses can lead to maturity. She draws on psychoanalytic theory, literature and interviews.

It is for readers who are going through a change or a loss and want an honest perspective. It gives a way to understand that sadness is part of growth.

Inward-looking and contemplative; a moderate read.

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