Book Review: The Other Side of Suffering

The Other Side of Suffering: Finding a Path to Peace After Tragedy, by Katie E. Cherry, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 978-0-19-084973-3, 2020, 270 pages, $36.95.

     In The Other Side of Suffering: Finding a Path to Peace After Tragedy, Katie Cherry examines the suffering and healing experiences of disaster survivors of the 2005 hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. Cherry, a developmental psychologist and lead investigator, addresses the perennial question: How does someone recover from a catastrophic disaster or other personal tragedy?

     Hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected thousands of Gulf coast residents. Cherry’s research focuses on the experiences of survivors from two small obscure parishes that made media headlines. Driving more than 3,000 miles around the coastal parishes of Louisiana, she interviewed more than 190 current and former residents of the St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. Cherry provides a glimpse into their intimate lives through survivor interviews, journal entries, personal quotes, cultural references, and poems. This major research endeavor captures the sacrifices of survivors and of those who perished in the wake of the storms.

     The book is divided into three parts. Part I (Chapters 1-4) provides an overview of Cherry’s research approach. The author describes the disastrous events that ravaged the Gulf Coast region and outlines four assumptions for her research project: suffering happens, suffering is not an end in and of itself, the relationship between suffering and healing is not linear, and the suffering-healing relationship is dynamic.

     Additionally, in Chapter 4: Picking Up the Pieces, Cherry defines traumatic stress and describes the somatic symptoms many survivors experienced after the disaster.  She also introduces the concept of cumulative adversity and explains that some survivors lived through multiple traumatic events before experiencing Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

     In Part II, Cherry reveals six evidence-based principles for healing gleaned from interviews with survivors. These six principles are introduced in pairs in Chapters 5-7: faith and humor, respect and gratitude, and acceptance and silver linings. The author suggests these principles can be applied as a recipe for understanding disaster recovery, human resilience, and the healing experiences of post- Katrina survivors.

     In Part III (Chapters 8-9), Cherry closes this volume out with a tribute to Katrina victims by acknowledging the St. Bernard residents who lost their lives.

     The Other Side of Suffering: Finding a Path to Peace After Tragedy provides a unique approach to a prevalent subject. The book gives an insider perspective on loss, suffering, and healing. It also presents evidence of post-Katrina resilience. Cherry’s work is timely and can serve as a resource guide for new and seasoned social workers.

     To understand indicators of post-traumatic growth, social work researchers, educators, and practitioners should reference Cherry’s six evidence-based principles of healing. Doing so raises awareness to the nuances of suffering and resilience in trauma survivors.

     Utilizing this book for academic purposes would enhance student learning in many ways. In particular, adding the content to social work courses that concentrate on grief and resilience, disaster mental health, post-traumatic growth, and/or trauma-informed counseling approaches would be beneficial.

     This is a powerful piece of research on the topic of post-disaster resilience. Key findings of this project may also provide a roadmap for healing as it relates to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviewed by Shakima Tozay, LICSW, MSW, Chief of Clinical Services/Family Advocacy Representative, Department of the Navy, Fleet & Family Support Program.