We are introduced to a dad, two boys and a crow. And there we are already intrigued by the presence of a crow in the family picture. We learn that the dad and his two sons have recently lost their most loved-one and are beginning the grieving process. A crow visits them. What is a crow doing in the middle of this and what links him to the dad and boys? What sort of relationship do they have?

Max Potter’s literary imagination and writing style is a breath of fresh air. Prose and verses combined recount the drama of a father and his sons. It is daring, unusual and presents a perfect dichotomy between, sadness and humor, mystery and vividness, the voices of the dad and his sons and that of the crow, abstract and tangible, simplicity and complexity. The writing style brings about an undeniable authenticity to the characters. It sounds true and honest. Bereavement follows them as a necessary companion. Potter illustrated this in a non-conventional way.

Nothing is explained directly, there is no such thing as expository dialogue to tell the story or describe a feeling. Emotions, past events, internal struggles, feelings of being lost, anger and emptiness are implied through action the reader understands the meaning of. I read it twice to be engrossed in such honesty all over again. The book has reached my list of all-time favorites and will remain there comfortably. There is no other book I have read like that. Well done Potter your first book is a masterpiece.

Please go for it. You will read it over and over again. It’s new, different and poignant.

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