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megmahoney1's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
jayisreading's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
vigil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this book is more experimental than i’m used too, but the more i read the more it began to work for me.
the portions from the dad’s POV were still written in the abstract style of the rest of the book, but had an easily grasped theme and purpose that it made the delivery easier to understand.
the portions from the boy’s POV is written the same, but because it’s both written abstractly while being tinted with the imagination of young children, it felt jarring with the rest of the book for the first 50 - 60%. as their grief winded down, they played off of the other two POV’s much better. i think their portions are one you have to be patient with, because it comes together in the end.
the crow was complicated. i think more was done with him than what was necessary, and didn’t quite illuminate anything so much as make them more confusing. his monologues contribute to the greater theme of the story obviously, but i think it was really hampered by it’s delivery. the abstractness was the clear intent of the author but unlike for the other two POV’s i think this more harmed than helped for most of it.
the portions from the dad’s POV were still written in the abstract style of the rest of the book, but had an easily grasped theme and purpose that it made the delivery easier to understand.
the portions from the boy’s POV is written the same, but because it’s both written abstractly while being tinted with the imagination of young children, it felt jarring with the rest of the book for the first 50 - 60%. as their grief winded down, they played off of the other two POV’s much better. i think their portions are one you have to be patient with, because it comes together in the end.
the crow was complicated. i think more was done with him than what was necessary, and didn’t quite illuminate anything so much as make them more confusing. his monologues contribute to the greater theme of the story obviously, but i think it was really hampered by it’s delivery. the abstractness was the clear intent of the author but unlike for the other two POV’s i think this more harmed than helped for most of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
abomine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very real, messy, darkly funny, and ultimately hopeful portrayal of grief and loss and healing in a family. Anyone who's lost a loved one will definitely find an empathetic literary shoulder to lean on here. Some familiarity with Emily Dickinson and Ted Hughes before reading is helpful, but not necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty
bookishcori's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
alyxinthestars's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
eurydice_books_09's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I thought it was a great read! When I started it, it was completely not what I thought it would be and I wasn’t disappointed at all. It resembled greif really well and was described nicely. Definitely a good short read and especially good when you’re in a reading slump. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
darkefyres's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
lonelamplighter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A beautiful, moving body of feathery prose crammed into a slim and poignant volume. A meditation on grief, an exploration of family, and a reflection on the nature of poetry, Grief is the Thing with Feathers is all at once hopeful and terrible, full of light and heavyhearted, and deeply, deeply quiet in all the right places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Alcohol
miles's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore