Books Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter (Author)

"Grief Is the Thing with Feathers" by Max Porter is a powerful, poetic novella that explores the raw and complex experience of grief following the sudden death of a mother and wife. The story is told through multiple perspectives: the grieving father (Dad), his two young sons (the Boys), and a surreal character, Crow—a human-sized bird who becomes both a protector and a challenging presence for the family as they navigate their sorrow.​

Crow serves as a symbolic figure drawn from Ted Hughes’ poetry, acting as a kind of therapist, babysitter, and paradoxical companion to the family. The narrative blends prose, poetry, and dialogue, capturing the chaotic, painful, and sometimes surreal reality of mourning. The novella is acclaimed for its emotional depth, dark humor, and lyrical style, vividly portraying the struggle to adjust to life after loss and the gradual process of healing.