Praise for Beautiful in Black


Mariette Hartley, actor, activist, author of "Breaking the Silence" and her one women show "If you get to Bethlehem you've gone too far"

She says :

Beautiful in Black: Conversation with Suicide is an extraordinary and deeply personal account of Sara Shai's struggle with the most difficult fact in many of our lives. What I am so impressed with is the quality of her search…The creative meaning she continues to discover as she writes and sculpts. The incredible gifts that we discover trying to make sense of it all.

This book is a very valuable addition to this search for meaning. I urge people in the thick of the immediate despair to have these words and thoughts pour over them… what a wonderful way to start the process of their healing… Sara has given many signposts along the way.

From Gail Fox, Former Chair, Survivor Division , AAS

This book is an important contribution for survivors of suicide. It affirms both the uniqueness of each individual's grief journey and the awareness that the time of dealing with this horrific event is widely spread across years.

Sara Shai's story demonstrates the compelling need within each survivor to tell his or her story and to come to a relative understanding of loss as well as to find a new normal in life.

More Praise for Beautiful in Black

"Quite a moving experience, the book focuses on a panorama of emotions, ranging from anger and confusion, to grief and eventually to acceptance and forgiveness.


This book is powerful! May it stay in print forever.


I read the book in one and a half days. It is fantastic. ! Sara Shai is brave to open up her life.


Beautiful in Black will haunt you since it covers all forms of cruelty that we are taught to 'put up with' in the name of love, or just plain 'getting along'


Sara Shai gives us the courage to uncover the secrets that keeps us bound.


Beautiful in Black is an engaging read, especially if you enjoy introspective prose. Furthermore, I recommend it to therapists as a resource (i.e., "recommended reading') and for clients who are dealing with grief and loss.


"I was captivated by every moment of the this book's pages."


An inspiring women's story. Great read, I could not put it down.


There is a light within the essence of Beautiful in Black and that is Sara Shai.


Beautiful in Black offers an authentic window into the murky terrain of suicide and the effects on those left in its wake. Sara's piercing vulnerability exposes the haunting experience that so few have the courage to mind and share.


Inspiring, Emotional, Extraordinary read !


"This story needs to be told. It is an empowering woman's story of transcending the challenges of life.


Beautiful in Black left me with sense of wonder at the resilience of the human spirit and its victory.
Sharon Schlesinger. Board of director of 'Susan G. Komen'

Sara's message of hope will inspire survivors of suicide to move forward through the rubble, to get up when they stumble and to know that they too can make it to the other side of grief.
Susan Celentano ,M.S., MFT, Certified Bereavement Therapist.

Sara's writing is like an artist struck on a canvas, beautiful pictures come to form and become alive.


Sara Shai is a remarkable woman who has undergone more hardships than most, beginning at a young age. Nevertheless, she has created a beautiful life for herself. When she first told me that suicide is "the hidden epidemic, much more prevalent than homicide," I didn't believe her. Now I do. Her very readable book will spark important discussions to bring this subject to light and offer help and hope to many."
Flo Selfman- Public Relations Consultant; Proofreader/Copyeditor

Sara's openness to the subject was very inspirational and helpful. She was able to unlock and open up to hidden feelings a lot of us are still afraid to confront."