The Bled

by Frances McCue

Poetry. Winner of the 2011 Grub Street Book Prize. "Frances McCue's book is the most moving account of a spouse's death I have ever read. While living abroad in Morocco he died suddenly, and the aftermath of that event is detailed here with astonishment and heart-rung love"—James Tate. "THE BLED is a cleared-eyed, ruthless, beautiful, terrible look at what it is to find love and to lose it, to be knocked around by death and grief, to wonder how you can go on living"—Rebecca Brown.

Genres: Poetry

62 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Frances McCue is a writer and poet living in Seattle, where she is writer-in-residence at the University of Washington's Undergraduate Honors Program. She was the founding director of Richard Hugo House from 1996 to 2006. McCue is the author of The Stenographer's Breakfast, winner of the Barnard New Women Poets Prize."

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not one to pick up a book of poetry on my own, so I read this for my book group and am very glad I did. Incredibly moving poems about the sudden and unexpected death of the author's husband in Morocco.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book for the second time and I am about to start reading it again. Holy mother of god -- 3.83 overall rating? Are you people crazy? I just saw Frances read some of the poems from this book and I just don't know how she did it. I am awed. This collection is stunning.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The language in this is rhythmic and musical, but I didn't really get pulled in. Not my style, I guess.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

touching poetry about her husband's death

[David Massengill · Rating 5 out of 5]

McCue's exquisitely written poetry collection captures the raw shock that occurs after the passing of a loved one.