A unique collection of quotes and observations from Michael Harding, one of Ireland’s best loved memoirist, with stunning and evocative illustrations from Irish illustrator Jacob Stack.
– A Cloud Where the Birds Rise
[ About the Book ]
In this stunning collaboration, bestselling writer Michael Harding’s most memorable musings on the human condition are brought to life by illustrator Jacob Stack.
In these pages, the reader is held in moments of belonging, solitude, love and healing as we witness the beauty of falling snow, the pain and love of goodbyes, and the shared lives and deaths of neighbours amid the sweeping landscape of Ireland.
[ My Thoughts ]
A Cloud Where the Birds Rise by Michael Harding (words) and Jacob Stack (illustrations) was published October 14th with Hachette Ireland and is described as ‘a celebration of what it means to love, and live in the beauty of the ordinary, everyday.’ It has been nominated for this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards in the category ‘Lifestyle Book of the Year’, with the winner to be announced November 23rd.
The voice of Michael Harding is very familiar to many of us, with his anecdotes and wise words lingering in the mind of the listener for some time. Now everyone can avail of his perceptive words by picking up a copy of A Cloud Where the Birds Rise. It’s difficult to convey the beauty of this book using the written word but when you open the covers you will be greeted by the most evocative and thought-provoking illustrations that wonderfully capture the essence of Michael Harding’s words. Jacob Stack’s artwork is very distinctive with images that are extraordinarily poignant.
A Cloud Where the Birds Rise is divided into eight chapters, each with its own very unique title, with thoughts expressed on love, dying, ageing, marriage, nature, the interior, togetherness and philosophy. Some sections will be more relevant to you on any given day but, what you will discover, is that on completion, you will dip back into it again, craving a specific quote, embracing its meaning. A Cloud Where the Birds Rise is a book that definitely encourages reflection, something we have all found ourselves doing during these past months of turmoil.
A page may contain one sentence or a story, but all teach us something about ourselves and those around us. In the chapter on dying, entitled ‘The Collective Hug: Thoughts on Dying’, Michael Harding writes of his mother with words I think will resonate with many…
” I kissed her forehead before the coffin lid was closed down on her. The last kiss, I told myself. must last my lifetime.”
As the page turns, there is a further observation by Michael Harding gorgeously illustrated by Jacob Stack…
“Now that my mother was buried, there was no meaning in the house. Her clothes didn’t mean anything and the ornaments and objects she had gathered, hoarded and loved for fifty years, that she had crammed into every mantlepiece and into every china cabinet in the house, were suddenly bereft of any further significance.”
A Cloud Where the Birds Rise really is a stunning work of art in so many ways. It will capture the soul of any reader. Michael Harding’s observations and quotes are quite deep and extremely meaningful. He considers his own mortality and the obvious love he has for his wife, who has always remained by his side through the good and the bad times. Michael Harding lives in the hills of Lough Allen, a place he calls home, a place where he belongs. He refers to his need to be alone sometimes, snuggling into “the little shell of my own self” and he finds this solace and peace by the ocean.
A Cloud Where the Birds Rise is a contemplative and immersive experience. It is much more than just words, with this magical partnership of Michael Harding and Jacob Stack producing something very unique, very special. A stunning collection for the everyday.
“Doing nothing is still doing something. So, the wisdom is in the not doing. The complete non-involvement in anything.
Stillness.
And if that’s not a sure way to induce a beautiful doze, then nothing is.”
[ About Michael Harding and Jacob Stack ]
Michael Harding is an author and playwright. His creative chronicle of ordinary life in the Irish midlands is published as a weekly column in The Irish Times. He has written numerous plays for the Abbey Theatre, including Una Pooka,Misogynist and Sour Grapes, and has published three novels, Priest, The Trouble with Sarah Gullion and Bird in the Snow as well as three bestselling memoirs, Staring at Lakes, which won three BGE Irish Book awards, Hanging with the Elephant and Talking to Strangers and the bestselling On Tuesdays I’m a Buddhist.
Jacob Stack is an illustrator from Donegal, Ireland. He studied Fine Art Printmaking in Limerick School of Art and Design, graduating in 2012. Jacob has exhibited work in solo and group shows nationally, and internationally in London, New York, and LA. He was shortlisted in the AOI World Illustration Awards 2017.
Oh my, this looks beautiful. I have ‘hanging with the elephant’ and ‘staring at lakes’ on my bookshelf and really enjoyed them, he’s a funny and wise individual, am always interested in what he has to say. This could be a good xmas present for someone (add’s to amazon Wishlist)
It is the ideal Christmas gift for yourself!!
This sounds very different, yet intriguing. Thanks for sharing this one Mairéad. I love that image and the words that go with it, it sure makes you think,
That’s exactly it Carla. I stopped to think on many pages. Thank you x
Happy Birthday!
Thank you Lynda xx