Reviews with content warning for Grief - Grief is the Thing with Feathers

A beautiful book reflecting on the journey of grief.

Crow is such an interesting character - I can’t figure out if he is a deformed monster or a crow perching on the window.

“They offer me a space on the sofa next to them and the pain of them being so naturally kind is like appendicitis. I need to double over and hold myself tight because they are so kind and keep regenerating and recharging the kindness without any input from me”.

Content Warnings

jesstherese's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I listened to the audiobook and at first, I was confused. On second reading/listening, it was beautiful and moving.

Content Warnings

aritag's review

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

elizlizabeth's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated

3.5

It was a fun brain exercise but I feel like a lot of references went over my head. Nevertheless it was enjoyable, more poetry than prose.

Content Warnings

kairhone's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

somebodys_fool's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

Content Warnings

megmahoney1's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

A strange little book, telling the story of a man trying to endure the loss of his wife while caring for their two sons. Their is also an additional perspective of this grief portrayed as an anthropomorphic crow. I found the crows additions to the story jarring at times and wasn’t my favourite thing to read. Having said that there were some touching moments, especially the ending <in which their father is scattering his wife’s ashes, and he’s saying goodbye and ponders his two sons> which was beautiful. I found the audiobook on my library app when I’d almost finished the book, and I think I would’ve had a potentially better experience listening to this.

Content Warnings

jayisreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

This was a short and quiet book. I didn’t think it was anything remarkable, but it was still an interesting read. It didn’t feel as though the story went anywhere in particular, and maybe that was the point, but I was looking for a little more momentum. I did think the author had a unique approach in exploring grief with the crow, which was what really kept my attention.

Overall, a very bittersweet read that may hit a little too close to home for those who recently lost someone.

Content Warnings

More...