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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. 

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 they discuss his novel, the ubiquitous of grief and the origins of Crow.

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

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This Friday, MPR News host Kerri Miller will talk with renowned grief expert and neuroscientist Mary-Frances O'Connor about happens in our brains when we grieve. But novels teach us just as much as science. In anticipation of the coming show, enjoy this one from the 2016 archives, when Miller talked with writer Max Porter about his debut novel, “Grief is the Thing with Feathers.” 

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

An author photo with a book cover that features three windows.

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

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