Taylor-Jones’s Touched by Suicide is an insightful and moving exploration of what Albert Camus said is the only perduring philosophical problem: to be or not to be. All of us at times wish to end the suffering life has brought us, perhaps forgetting in the moment that whatever benefit might accrue thereby, one is not present to experience it. This book will make one think, feel, sympathize, and understand more deeply. What more could we ask of a book than that?

Touched by Suicide: A Personal and Psychological Perspective on the Longing for Death and Rebirth is a long-awaited addition to the field of Jungian psychology. Not since James Hillman’s groundbreaking book on the topic, Suicide and the Soul, has a Jungian analyst written a book examining the psychology and circumstances that can lead to the impulse to end one’s life and the symbolic–yet often rational–underpinnings of such an urge. Grounded in personal narrative and case examples, no stone is left unturned as the author fearlessly journeys through historical and psychological thought about suicide and suicidality to help us better grasp its contemplation, expression, and transcendence by individuals living in the complexity of our contemporary times.

Touched by Suicide is a welcome and timely book that delves into not only the feeling, experiential level of this mostly tragic occurrence, but also an examination of its history in religions, philosophy, and the psychology underlying it, including shame, trauma, suffering and sorrow. Christi Taylor-Jones elaborates on her own personal experiences with suicide involving herself and her family members, as well as discussing other examples in her life and practice as a Jungian analyst. I commend her for her comprehensive study of suicide, done in such a personal way that it makes it accessible to everyone.

As someone who has known the troubling and lasting effects of suicides in my own life, I found this book to be very helpful, reassuring and, most valuable of all, kind-hearted.
What sets this work apart from many others is that the author begins by revealing her own personal experiences with suicide, while tracing its trail of shame and grief in her own life and the life of her family. This bold revelation not only lends compassion, intellectual weight and moral authority to the rest of the book, it also keeps it from being a simple cerebral treatise on a taboo subject matter. While the writing certainly is intellectually rigorous and provides plenty of support for its central ideas on guilt, shame and forgiveness, the author - a Jungian analyst - never condescends, but keeps the writing always human, approachable and considering the topic, easy to read. Highly recommended. 

Christi Taylor-Jones delivers a poignant and deeply introspective exploration of one of society's most sensitive topics in her book, Touched by Suicide: A Personal and Psychological Perspective on the Longing for Death and Rebirth. With a unique blend of personal narrative, professional expertise as a Jungian analyst, and scholarly research, Taylor-Jones offers a comprehensive yet compassionate understanding of suicide's multifaceted nature.Touched by Suicide is an insightful, courageous, and necessary work that addresses the complex realities of suicide with honesty and compassion. It serves as both a guide for professionals seeking to better understand and support their clients and a source of solace and reflection for those personally impacted. Taylor-Jones challenges the stigma surrounding suicide, inviting readers to explore the transformative potential of suffering.This book is highly recommended for mental health professionals, researchers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of suicide’s psychological, cultural, and personal dimensions. It stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and professional insight to bring healing and understanding to a deeply misunderstood phenomenon.