Simply..unflinching....

28/4/2016

I found this book by Michael Rosen to be an unflinching portrayal of the reality of loss and grief, the drawings by Quentin Blake as poignant and expressive as Rosen's simple words.

Meanwhile it snowed here for an hour or two this morning! I don't know which was more mesmerizing - the snowflakes, or the pages of Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante, the third of the four Neapolitan Novels which are a compelling read.

12 Comments

Mary

29/4/2016 12:56:58 am

Will have to find Rosen's book. The words and the drawings are indeed unflinching and full of truth.

Your huge snowflakes look remarkably similar to the ones we had two weeks ago which quickly dumped 5cm in a short period of time, yet two days later it was 22c. It would seem the weather these days, like grief, is ever changeable. And certainly not always predictable.

Freda

29/4/2016 02:22:58 pm

It is said that change is the only certainty!

cath

29/4/2016 09:24:18 am

If this is your reading or writing place it looks very peaceful and quiet. My library has the books by Elena Ferrante. So I've made a note of them. Did you read them from the first one onwards?
I hadn't heard about the book by Michael Rosen before. What you write about it reminds me of reading David Grossman's Falling Out Of Time.

And just because it keeps knocking on my memory door: was it your birthday last weekend? Saw something in a comment referring to a birthday. It would mean you are a taurus too.
If you want to keep it private just forget I ever mentioned it please.

Freda

29/4/2016 02:26:50 pm

I have read the Ferrante novels from the first. Yes, it was my birthday but I just had a quiet day with my daughters. Am a Taurus like you!

elaine link

29/4/2016 10:48:09 am

I love how the author expresses himself through grief and the illustrations are so apt and poignant - hope you find some solace in this. As for the Elena Ferrante books - I bought them after reading favourable reviews, but just could not get on with them. - I thought they would be right up my street, but no. Not sure why though.

Freda

29/4/2016 02:28:09 pm

I just read (for book group) Strangers by Anita Brookner and found that that was definitely not up my street!

cathy

29/4/2016 01:47:54 pm

what a serene spot, even w snow on the windows. I can imagine sitting there pondering life's events...or writing them in a letter.

Freda

29/4/2016 02:30:00 pm

I do love this spot by the bedroom window and only write there - never take the laptop.

Julia

30/4/2016 11:31:46 am

I just love the snow, even when it comes at the "wrong" time! It is still a miracle with every flake, isn't it? And the silence that comes with it, too....

Freda

30/4/2016 02:00:06 pm

There were great big soft flakes but I used too slow a shutter speed unfortunately so not very good photographs, but I just stood and watched for ages. Love it! Always the magic..

Mary R.

1/5/2016 03:32:02 pm

A book recommended by the Chaplain who runs our Grief Group...A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser. He feels it is the best book he has ever read regarding grief. I have just begun it. Lost my father in February.

Freda

2/5/2016 09:31:20 pm

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father and thank you for the recommendation Mary R.

Simply..unflinching....

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