Max Porter

Max Porter is a British author and former publishing editor known for experimental literary fiction that blends prose and poetry. His work often explores themes of grief, art, and human relationships through innovative narrative structures and lyrical language. His debut novel "Grief Is the Thing with Feathers" (2015) received widespread critical acclaim and won the International Dylan Thomas Prize. The book follows a father and his two sons after the death of their wife/mother, incorporating elements of prose-poetry and featuring Crow, a mythological figure drawn from Ted Hughes's poetry. Porter's subsequent works include "Lanny" (2019), a novel about a missing boy in an English village, and "The Death of Francis Bacon" (2021), a short work that attempts to capture the final thoughts of the titular painter. His most recent novel "Shy" (2023) examines a troubled teenager's experiences in a residential facility through fragmented narrative and stream-of-consciousness writing. Before becoming a full-time writer, Porter worked as editorial director at Granta Books and has maintained close connections to the literary world through his involvement in various cultural projects and collaborations with artists and musicians.

Readers praise Porter's experimental style and handling of grief, particularly in "Grief is the Thing with Feathers." Many point to his poetic prose and ability to capture raw emotions in unconventional formats. Amazon reviewers note his skill at blending magical realism with everyday life. Common criticisms include difficult-to-follow narratives and abstract writing that can feel pretentious. Some Goodreads reviews mention struggling with the fragmentary structure and unclear perspective shifts. A portion of readers find his work "too artsy" or "trying too hard to be different." Ratings across platforms: Grief is the Thing with Feathers - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (48,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Lanny - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (32,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.2/5 (900+ ratings) The Death of Francis Bacon - Goodreads: 3.5/5 (2,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings)

Grief Is the Thing with Feathers (2015) A novel following a father and two sons coping with the death of their wife/mother, narrated in part by a crow figure inspired by Ted Hughes' poetry.

Lanny (2019) A story about the disappearance of a young boy in an English village, told through multiple voices and incorporating folklore elements.

The Death of Francis Bacon (2021) A series of textual "paintings" capturing the final thoughts and visions of the artist Francis Bacon on his deathbed.

Shy (2023) A novel depicting 48 hours in the life of a troubled teenager at a residential facility, told through stream-of-consciousness narrative.

Ali Smith Creates experimental fiction that plays with form and narrative structure while exploring contemporary British life. Her seasonal quartet demonstrates similar interests in blending reality with mythology and examining grief through innovative storytelling.

George Saunders Writes fiction that combines experimental structures with deep emotional resonance about human connection and loss. His work shares Porter's interest in voices from beyond death and unconventional narrative approaches.

Anne Carson Merges poetry and prose while engaging with mythology and classical literature to explore contemporary themes. Her work, like Porter's, crosses genre boundaries and often deals with loss through a mixture of scholarly and personal perspectives.

David Means Crafts stories that fragment time and perspective while examining trauma and human relationships. His work shares Porter's interest in innovative structure and the intersection of mythology with everyday life.

Jenny Offill Writes in fragments and vignettes that accumulate to create narratives about family and emotional life. Her books use similar techniques to Porter's in breaking down traditional narrative forms while maintaining emotional impact.