When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Harold S. Kushner

Dec 2007 · Sold by Vintage

About this ebook

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The inspirational classic from a renowned spiritual leader that "offers a moving and humane approach to understanding life’s windstorms” (Elisabeth Kübler-Ross).

When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that meant the boy would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. In these pages, Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow.

Ratings and reviews

I brought this book when my Dad - a good man - was diagnosed with a brain tumor and melanoma and had to have his eye and part of his face removed. This book kept me going, gave me hope and helped me to put so many other things into perspective. This book is life-altering and a wonderful, WONDERFUL edition to my bookshelf. I keep it to refer to time and time again. Love it. Cannot recommend it highly enough. 10 out of 10.

Such insight inspiration and hope through the darkest of hours. Enlightening Classic better than most grief counseling or therapy. Everyone needs to have somewhere to turn when darkness takes their world. This book is eloquently written in a manner that provides hope solace and last but not least peace of mind body and soul. Please share God bless

very inspiring and touching example of my life when my very beautiful,smart girl Jasmine fell down from cradle at the age of 7 months and her brain cells were severely damaged and survived for 38 years. But my wife lizy had great faith in God

About the author

HAROLD S. KUSHNER was rabbi laureate of Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts, having long served that congregation. The author of more than a dozen books on coping with life’s challenges, he died in 2023.