Bereavement Book Club discussion

In May we will be reading 'Grief is the Thing with Feather'. Having being adapted into a screen play, there is a lot of talk about Max Porters debut novel.

In a London flat, two young boys face the unbearable sadness of their mother's sudden death. Their father, a Ted Hughes scholar and scruffy romantic, imagines a future of well-meaning visitors and emptiness.

In this moment of despair they are visited by Crow - antagonist, trickster, healer, babysitter. This self-described sentimental bird is attracted to the grieving family and threatens to stay until they no longer need him. As weeks turn to months and physical pain of loss gives way to memories, this little unit of three begin to heal.

Welcome to May!

We are super excited to read Max Porters' debut novel, Grief is a Thing with Feathers.

Has anyone started reading it yet?

Yes
I read it in a day a couple weeks ago in preparation. I was quite excited because I had heard a lot about it. I can see how people would have taken things from it but it's not the style of writing I'm used to which made it difficult at times

I will try and get hold of it !

Molly, I agree! I read almost half of it yesterday and found that some parts were really relatable and others require some further interpretation! I keep feeling it will somehow all make sense, and then I might have to go back over it (with a pencil!).

I read an article where Max Porter talks about what the character of Crow represents and he speaks of him as an “analyst, bad nanny, counsellor and shoddy psychic, eventually ending up as something like a good friend”. I think this is neatly summed up by Grief.

What roles does Grief play in our lives? Often, it is both the enemy and a friend. Is a Crow an appropriate symbol or do you have your own?

I really enjoyed coming back to this book. I first read it when it came out and I think I missed some of the meaning because I was focusing on the unusual style. Re-reading meant I picked up on bits I hadn’t before.

For me the crow is a good description or image for grief. I think my favourite line in the novel is “Motherless children are pure crow.” It makes so much sense to me but hard to describe in words why. Were there any sections or lines that stood out to others?

I absolutely loved this book! But, yes, to your point Flora - it’s really hard to explain why. It is certainly a book like no other and already want to go back and read it again, feeling more relaxed and no concentrating on the unusual style. Porter seems to be able to tell the story from different dimensions is such an amazing way. It felt a bit magical to read.

I was going through some bad weeks of high anxiety, reading this I have felt a lot better. Almost comforted - did anyone else experience this from finishing the book?

Yes! I just finished the book and sobbed in the park, but I found reading it a really enjoyable experience. Quite nice to have a cry - this time has been so strange its been nice to read a book that acknowledges all the horrible, sad, funny, gross and real aspects of grief.