Many Different Kinds of Love
A Story of Life, Death, and the NHS
By Michael Rosen (poet, author, ‘Bear Hunt’ etc)
This is a signed copy I bought after hearing Michael talk movingly about his experience of Covid 19. But it is essentially a book about Recovery in all senses (mentally, physically, life-affirming), so it now belongs to the Recovery Library – borrow it!
The first half of the book impresses me how close we came to losing Michael Rosen. Covid-19 should never ever be taken lightly. And then it tells us about trust, placing ourselves in the hands of others, and the kindness of strangers. Michael wrote a poem, pre-Covid, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the NHS, ‘These Are The Hands’ (see the back of the book), and how prophetic this turned out to be. Except, fortunately for him and us, the last line has not come to pass.
The second part of the book explains, with humour, how recovery can slide back and forth, with acceptance, set-backs, determination and tremendous effort. But also the love, support and dedication of so many others all made a huge contribution. Michael’s son Eddie died (aged 18) a while ago, but even Eddie has a role in Michael’s journey through recovery.
I hope you are both moved and entertained by this story – and I’m so glad we have Michael Rosen with us still.
Enjoy,
Helen Sims
Recovery Librarian Devon Recovery Learning Community