Grief is the thing with feathers

by Max Porter
Grief is the thing with feathers cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1076
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780571323777
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2015-09-15
  • Formats: 40
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £12.99

In a London flat, a father and his two young sons struggle to cope with the sudden death of their mother. Their father, a Ted Hughes scholar, finds solace in the unexpected presence of Crow, a sentient and enigmatic bird that becomes a part of their lives. This extraordinary debut novel, praised for its emotional depth and originality, marks the arrival of a significant new literary talent. The narrative weaves together poetry, prose, and unexpected humor to create a profound and captivating exploration of grief and the healing process.

Reviews
Write Out Loud Blog · 2024-02-26
painful 3.50

The book resonates deeply with those who have experienced grief, capturing its painful and sometimes ugly realities.

The reviewer finds that the book will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced grief, as it captures the painful and sometimes ugly realities of loss. They appreciate how the characters' experiences are portrayed in a way that feels authentic and relatable. The reviewer also notes that the book's emotional impact is significant, making it a powerful read for those dealing with similar experiences.

Quick quotes

    If you have experienced any kind of grief then you will have some degree of empathy with the characters here.

    It is painful, sometimes ugly and ...

    The book's emotional impact is significant.

Bright Star Book Blog · 2019-09-26
devastating 4.50

This book is described as one of the most accurate accounts of grief, praised for its honesty and miraculous portrayal.

The reviewer finds this book to be an incredibly honest and devastatingly accurate portrayal of grief. They describe it as miraculous and an absolute marvel. The way the book captures the raw emotion and complexity of grief is noted as exceptional. The reviewer also highlights how the book manages to make the abstract concept of grief feel tangible and deeply personal.

Quick quotes

    It is, frankly, one of the most devastatingly accurate accounts of grief I have ever come across.

    It is honestly miraculous.

    An absolute marvel.

The Guardian · 2015-09-18
moving 4.00

A deeply moving book about death and grief, emphasizing love and art as consolations, with a unique and scattered text format.

The reviewer appreciates the book's deep emotional impact and its exploration of death and grief. They note that the book's format, which appears scattered, effectively conveys the fragmented nature of grief. The reviewer also highlights how the themes of love and art provide consolation and hope amidst the pain. The book is seen as a profound and moving exploration of loss and healing.

Quick quotes

    This deeply moving book about death and its grief-stricken consolations – love and art – appears to be no more than a scattering of text, ...

    It is a deeply moving book about death and its grief-stricken consolations.

    The book's format effectively conveys the fragmented nature of grief.

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