Carrying the Elephant : A Memoir of Love and Loss

by Michael Rosen

In 72 prose-poems Michael Rosen tells the story of a life: his left-wing Jewish upbringing, with baffling childhood trips to Trafalgar Square, eastern Europe and hospital, followed by trainee days at the BBC under the watchful eyes of MI5, breakdown of a marriage, development of a new relationship and the joy of a new baby. And, in a core series of pieces, the central calamity of his life: the sudden death from meningitis of his 18 year-old son. "Rather you than me", said one of the neighbours on hearing the news - a remark that Rosen records, as he does much else to do with death, with surprised, painful honesty.

Genres: Poetry

83 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2002

About the author

Michael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving prose-poems about Rosen's life, with a particular (but far from exclusive) focus on the death of his son. Easy to read and interesting poetically as well as for content.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. A beautifully controlled memoir through the medium of prose poetry.

[Katrine Solvaag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful collection of poetry that both baffles and breakers the heart.