More Than You Were

In July 2013, David Thatcher died of a drug overdose in America. More than you were was written by his daughter, to try to understand what came after. The result is a striking collection of poetry which explores addiction, family politics, childhood memories and grief. Her short, sharp poems home in on situations to reveal their complex relationship and the challenges she faced after losing him. Thatcher weaves the darkest memories - the murder of pets, the burning down of a childhood home, the blood stains on white tiles - with ones which betray a tenderness and love. A brave debut, More than you were, explores what it means to lose a father to an addiction and live on.