Jayson Greene’s Once More We Saw Stars is a profoundly moving memoir, a testament to love, grief, and resilience in the aftermath of every parent’s worst nightmare. Greene’s two-year-old daughter, Greta, was tragically killed when a brick fell from the eighth story of a building in New York City, striking her on the head. This heartbreaking and beautifully written book captures the depth of his sorrow, the weight of loss, and the ways in which he and his wife, Stacy, navigate the unthinkable.

What makes this memoir especially compelling is Greene’s ability to bring Greta to life on the page. Through his vivid storytelling, readers come to know this bright, joyful little girl and the love that surrounded her—loving parents, doting grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even young friends. The grief of those left behind is palpable, yet there are moments of profound tenderness, such as when a child close to Greta asks whether the couple’s second baby will still be Greta’s little brother or sister.

The book opens with an intimate and poetic moment—Greene speaking to Greta, asking where to begin, and recalling a trip to the beach, one of only two she ever experienced. This conversation with his daughter continues throughout the book, as he chronicles the early days of grief, support group meetings with other bereaved parents, and the spiritual journeys he and his wife embark upon in search of healing. Though Greta has been gone for longer than she was here (she passed in 2019) her presence endures in the hearts of her loved ones and in the many readers now learning her story. Her short life was filled with meaning, and through Greene’s words, her spirit continues to touch the world. Once More We Saw Stars is an achingly beautiful exploration of loss, love, and the human capacity to keep going in the face of unimaginable sorrow. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has experienced profound grief or wishes to better understand the depths of a parent’s love and loss.