Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller
Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

From the archives: Writer Max Porter on 'Grief is the Thing with Feathers'

An author photo with a book cover that features three windows.
Max Porter is the author of several novels, including his much-lauded debut, “Grief is the Thing with Feathers.”
Courtesy Images

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Max Porter's debut novel, "Grief is the Thing with Feathers," packs an emotional landslide into its slim 100 pages. The book features a grief-stricken father and his two young sons, unmoored by a great loss.

Then Crow comes to the door. Not just a crow, but Crow.

Sarcastic, wise and ripped from the pages of folklore, Crow tells the father that he will be there as long as he is needed.

The imaginary bird watches over the ravaged family, negotiating a path through their trauma.

Grief, Porter said, "is completely unique, and it's as unique as the human brain. There is not a template for thinking about it or dealing with it."

His observation echoes the scientific discoveries detailed in Mary-Frances O’Connor’s new book, “The Grieving Brain.” This Friday at 11 a.m., MPR News host Kerri Miller will talk with her about what grief does to the human brain.

As a preview, enjoy Miller’s 2016 conversation with Porter, as they discuss his novel, the ubiquitous of grief and the origins of Crow.

Guest:

  • Max Porter is an author who is best known for his debut novel, “Grief is the Thing with Feathers.” He’s also the novelist behind “Lanny” and “The Death of Frances Bacon.”

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above. 

Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or RSS.

Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.