Reviews

Before Women Had Wings by Connie May Fowler

marilynsaul's review against another edition

3.0

Bird captivated me from page 1, so I kept on reading, even though the child abuse scenes were horrifying and I hated the mother - just really couldn't forgive her. I understand abuse is a nurtured disease, but I cannot fathom beating one's child and NOT registering distaste, not registering that you need to quit and change. Anyway, Miss Zora was a wonderful addition, and I wanted the book to continue focusing on her and her life. I really didn't get the Big Al thing - rather stuck in there. Anyway, I liked it but do not necessarily recommend it, except to the emotionally hardy.

shellwitty's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Coming of age, family dysfunction, realistic fiction

rjvrtiska's review

4.0

Fowler captured the dicotomy of South Florida's lush biology and the clostrophobic nature of poverty and domestic violence within a young girl's narrative. The voice was a bit mature for Bird's age, but effective. The bird/angel/butterfly/airplane metaphor was well placed and maintained a sense of hope through an otherwise dark novel.

cassiefleurs's review against another edition

3.0

Good enough but honestly no child thinks like that.

The story is solid enough and sadly a very common tale of violence and abuse generating more violence and abuse among poor people but really the protagonist was far too young to be so aware and concious of many things. Bird talks as if she had been studing sociology for years and understand the oppresive structures, it was simply off putting.

tatiana2207's review against another edition

5.0

I loved it. uniquely written.

amysteid's review against another edition

5.0

Beautifully written, hauntingly true to life; wonderful themes....

ilicadri's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

crowyhead's review against another edition

4.0

A beautifully written, brutal novel about a young girl's experiences growing up with an abusive mother. The terror and love Avocet (called Bird) feels for her mother is breathtaking and frightening. The ending of the book is a relief as things start to get better for Bird just when you think they're going to get even worse. I was left trying to decide whether the ending was unrealistic, or if Bird's wild luck in the end fits with the story.

alenavee's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

4.0

mariaferocha's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Que prazer finalizar um ano com uma leitura 5 estrelas! Eu comprei esse livro há bastante tempo, mas não cheguei a pegar ele pra ler e fico feliz de ter sentido essa vontade nesse momento da vida. Simplesmente fenomenal. Extremamente sensível, difícil, tocante e ao mesmo tempo uma leitura muito inspiradora. Emocionante!