[Hanging with the Elephant] [By: Harding, Michael] [November, 2014]

by Michael Harding

A new memoir from the author of Irish bestseller Staring at Lakes, which was received the Book of the Year Award at the BGE Irish Book Awards 2013

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Irish Literature, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published December 1, 2014

Reviews

[Gearóid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second Michael Harding book to read in succession.
He writes so honestly about difficult subjects like grief,loss,
loneliness and depression but I is actually very uplifting as
he writes in his own voice about this own experiences.

He is just honest and direct about important subjects.

[Marta Pereira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intelligent and witty.
A man's trip into himself, his past, the loss of his mother and the absence of his beloved for a few weeks. Sparkled with bits of humour, a few reflexions upon the meaning of life, the pursuit of happiness and the role of meditation and religion on this process.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing is great but subject well depressing

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir should of been a winner in the book awards , its honest, funny n witty at times, but Michael harding talks of his difficulties that everyone feels at some point in their life, his loneliness & depression has been a part of his life that he learns to deal with & accept, hes a very likeable person, & a great story teller, hes passionate & finds it hard to hite his emotions, this memoir focuses on his relationship with his partner & also his late mother, its inspiring . I hope Michael writes many more in the future

[Colettester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. Easy to read, and not too heavy. Michael works through his grief for his mother, enjoys time reminiscing. It's funny, poignant, and found myself relating a lot to his frankness regarding his feelings. As my gran is from Letrim was nice to visit the places in my head that he mentions.
Overall, I enjoyed it. It's the first book that's caught my attention from start to finish for a long time.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journalist reflects on relationship with his mother and with women in his life, while his partner is away for 6 weeks
some interesting turns of phrase and simply written
seems self indulgent at times and overly deliberate in its open honesty...
like having your ear bent by a local in a Leitrim pub, not sure where he might venture to keep your attention and show you how little he cares for the niceties

[Eleanor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn't to my taste. I found the writer to be quite sexist (in the "oh poor men can't clean as well as women" way) and self absorbed.

To be fair, I read it with big expectations as it was recommended by a friend who's taste I rate highly (not this time!!) - but didn't gel with me.

I'm giving the second star of one really funny piece about meditation - totally relatable.

[Pauline Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Not my usual kind of book at all but really captivating.
Some of the paragraphs were so beautifully written that I had to stop and re read them.
A gem!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Michael Harding book. It tells a sad and depressing tale of Man's Journey or Man's Quest to find answers into the meaning of life and to overcome his demons. Left alone, his mental health in Leitrim is tested as his Beloved goes away to Poland for six weeks. It is written in first person narration and his use of analogies is quite powerful. Michael strives to "tame the elephant" of his mind, through a stream of consciousness. The darkness of his crumbling mind is awakened and perhaps enlightened by Buddhism. Michael portrays an appreciation for the Irish scenery and his descriptions are often vivid and factual.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Hanging with the Elephant here for just $8!

This is a touching, witty and uplifting memoir about overcoming depression and grief through self-exploration. The sadness of Harding’s journey to acceptance is overcome by the uplifting undertone of his dearest memories. Honest and raw, you will feel like you are having a conversation with one of your best friends.

Irina - The Book Grocer

[Adrian at Bookshelfdiscovery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the previous Michael Harding book, ''Staring at lakes' and found this to be more of the same, which is a good thing. There is a bit about meditation here but it's also about grief, relationships and depression, amongst other things. Harding writes about difficult matters in a simple way and is completely readable. I could have read this in a couple of sittings but I found it so moving at times that I didn't want to rush it. Full of gentle wisdom, funny and sad.

[Briana Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book which was about the Irish author who lost their mother and found peace through meditation. He spoke about his day to day activities over approx 6 months who no meaning or inspiration whatsoever. The book was slow paced, mundane and I was disappointed I spent the time to read it.

[Bernie O Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book will resonate with those who have lost their mother. My mum was 96 when she died last November. I too wonder what kind of woman have I become in the shadow of her long life. Beautifully and brutally honest in places .. Michael Harding’s wicked sense of humour carries this book. He managed to tell much of my own experience. Superb.

[Adrian Fingleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up in my wonderful public library. It's an easy read, reflective, thought-provoking, a bit self-indulgent, and honest. I could identify with many of the observations of the periods he was thinking of. It's probably not a book for everyone, and I wouldn't read too many books in the genre. But it's well worth a read for a reflective episode.

[Ann Neville · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first few chapters I wanted to give up, but glad I didn’t. The title says love, loss & meditation. Love and loss quite clear, the meditation?? Think his meditation was the writing of the book. Very busy read not very relaxed

[Chris O'Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read, a great story of life, aging and losing our mothers !

[Margaret Grant · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half, found it funny and moving in equal parts, but then I got sick and tired of hanging with Michael Harding and his bloody elephant. Never got a clear idea of who his mother was or who is partner is. The stereotypes of the helpless around the house male and the competent, sort everything out female, did my head in.

Glad to be finished with it.

[Lisa Lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A psychologist friend of mine referred this book to me. It was different from what I expected. Michael Harding's partner, who he only ever refers to as "beloved" goes to Poland for a trip of exploration of her art, and he is left at home, hanging with the elephant. during the time, he relives the death of his mother, and comes to terms with her death. It is funny, moving at times, and yet quite ordinary at other times.

[Kate Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I was given as a gift. What a wonderful read it turned out to be it kept me on edge wanting to read more. The grief and depression coming through it was heart rending powerful and true go get hanging with the elephant well worth the suspense and the read

[Annie Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

started of great couldnt put it down but began to disappoint the further i went on

[Shameela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerry I read this this week and loved it-thank you;it's a lovely read

[Eileen Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my thing ... a bit depressing and he wasn't a character I could relate well to. A recommendation from my mother but I don't think she has read it herself yet!!

[Say · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, unlike anything I've read before. The writer invites you inside his world like an old friend.

[Bernie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worse than useless...