The Carrying

Synopsis

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FOR POETRY 2019

Ada Limón is a poet of ecstatic revelation . . . a book of deep wisdom and urgent vulnerability' Tracy K. Smith, Guardian

'Vulnerable, tender, acute . . . The Carrying is a gift' Natasha Trethewey, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former US Poet Laureate

'Exquisite poems' Roxane Gay

From National Book Critics Circle Award Winner Ada Limón comes The Carrying - her most powerful collection yet.

Vulnerable, tender, acute, these are serious poems, brave poems, exploring with honesty the ambiguous moment between the rapture of youth and the grace of acceptance. A daughter tends to aging parents. A woman struggles with infertility - 'What if, instead of carrying / a child, I am supposed to carry grief?' - and a body seized by pain and vertigo as well as ecstasy. A nation convulses: 'Every song of this country / has an unsung third stanza, something brutal.' And still Limón shows us, as ever, the persistence of hunger, love, and joy, the dizzying fullness of our too-short lives. 'Fine then, / I'll take it,' she writes. 'I'll take it all.'

The Carrying leads us deeper towards the hard-won truth of what it means to live in an imperfect world.

About the Publisher

Corsair

Corsair has also joined Little, Brown from Constable & Robinson and publishes a wide range of literary titles, from the frank, funny musings of ?bad feminist? Roxane Gay to Jennifer Egan?s A Visit From the Goon Squad and Martin Hughes-Game?s memoir on life in the wild. Corsair is a diverse list, united under a single strategy: to publish the very best in ambitious and ground-breaking fiction.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Call to Carry

* Introduction to the concept of carrying, defined as holding up those around you
* Examples: A mother supporting her child through a difficult time, a friend offering emotional support during a crisis

Chapter 2: The Weight of Expectations

* Discusses the burden of expectations from others and from oneself
* Examples: A student feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed in school, a parent struggling to meet the demands of family life

Chapter 3: The Power of Connection

* Emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with others
* Examples: A team of colleagues working together effectively, a support group providing solace and encouragement

Chapter 4: The Art of Listening

* Explains the value of active listening and empathy
* Examples: A therapist attentively listening to a client's concerns, a close friend offering a listening ear without judgment

Chapter 5: The Gift of Presence

* Stresses the significance of being fully present in the moment
* Examples: A caregiver spending quality time with a loved one, a teacher engaging with students in the classroom

Chapter 6: The Challenge of Setting Boundaries

* Addresses the need to set healthy boundaries to protect one's own well-being
* Examples: A volunteer setting limits on their time commitment, a parent saying no to additional activities

Chapter 7: The Importance of Self-Care

* Highlights the crucial role of self-care in maintaining one's ability to carry others
* Examples: Taking breaks for rest and relaxation, setting aside time for hobbies and interests

Chapter 8: The Joy of Carrying

* Explores the rewards and benefits of carrying others
* Examples: A sense of purpose and fulfillment, the deepening of relationships, the growth of personal strength

Chapter 9: The Legacy of Carrying

* Outlines the lasting impact that carrying others can have on individuals and communities
* Examples: A child who was carried by a supportive parent becomes a compassionate adult, a community that thrives because of the efforts of those who carry others

Chapter 10: The Call to Carry On

* Encourages readers to embrace the challenge of carrying others, even when it is difficult
* Examples: A volunteer continuing to serve despite setbacks, a friend providing support after a long and tiring day