Harry’s older sister has just died and both he and his parents are struggling to come to term with this. When Harry ventures into his sister’s room, he stumbles across her copy of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven … and also the raven that lives in the tree outside her room. As he grows closer to the bird, he finds it helps his pain, but when the big storm comes, can he keep it together long enough to help an orphaned baby raven?
This book broke me (for all the right reasons)! I read it yesterday evening in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down and ugly cried through so much of it (but especially the end). My husband is used to me crying at books but even he asked if I was ok! I wasn’t! I was emotionally bereft and my heart was shattered by what this family had to go through. However, I have to say that my need for tissues is down to how skilfully and beautifully Kiran tells this poignant and heart-breaking story.
I cannot begin to imagine the earth-shattering pain of losing a child and having to carry on for the sake of those around you. Harry’s parents are desperately trying to navigate their grief away from him as they feel this will help, but Harry is struggling too. Despite his sister’s room being a no-go area, he heads in to feel closer to her which is when he finds the book, and the raven living outside. When he discovers that Frankie had been looking after the bird (Nev), he too begins to look after it and they bond. Nev is a lifeline for Harry, something for him to focus on at a time where nothing feels right.
The portrayal of Harry's different emotions feels very real and honest; from sadness, fear and anger, to confusion and destructive behaviour, Kiran's exploration of grief is one that will be helpful for anyone (young or old) who finds themself in a similar situation.
Kiran is a master story-teller and her way with words in The Raven’s Gift, along with Tom de Freston’s stunning artwork, shine a spotlight on how crippling and utterly heart-breaking losing a child/young sibling is. At the same time, I feel the book also has hope sprinkled in there too: that life can go on (albeit very differently), that grief isn’t a linear process and it takes time to find a new rhythm, but it will happen eventually and with work.
Out now, The Raven's Gift is a powerful and poignant read that will stay with me.
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