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maureenkeavy's review against another edition
3.0
Probably more like a 3.5/5 stars
I enjoyed this book and I loved the writing and the incentive story telling, but beyond that it just wasn't there for me.
I think expected more of a punch for the reveal and it was a little lacking to me. I also would've appreciated for the two stories to actually join together rather than just be two halves of Jake's story - they didn't really feel coherent at all. I enjoyed both of them but to have them connect in a more meaningful way would have been amazing.
It's really interesting to see character development in reverse, which is what we see with Jake in her background narrative, and that character development is great. However, the present-day forward narrative lacked some character development for me.
Overall a pretty enjoyable book with fantastic writing and an interesting story telling method, but for me was lacking in terms of plot and character development.
I enjoyed this book and I loved the writing and the incentive story telling, but beyond that it just wasn't there for me.
I think expected more of a punch for the reveal and it was a little lacking to me. I also would've appreciated for the two stories to actually join together rather than just be two halves of Jake's story - they didn't really feel coherent at all. I enjoyed both of them but to have them connect in a more meaningful way would have been amazing.
It's really interesting to see character development in reverse, which is what we see with Jake in her background narrative, and that character development is great. However, the present-day forward narrative lacked some character development for me.
Overall a pretty enjoyable book with fantastic writing and an interesting story telling method, but for me was lacking in terms of plot and character development.
ccaatt's review against another edition
5.0
Evie Wyld’s All the Birds, Singing tells the story of Jake Whyte, an Australian woman with a troubled past who finds herself tending a sheep farm on a secluded British island. As the narrative’s multiple plot lines unravel, we are told more of Jake’s history and her struggle to forget it. These multiple threads threw me for a loop at first, but until it quickly becomes clear that one is current day and moving forward while the other gives us Jake’s backstory in reverse chronological order. I’ve read some grumbling in the reviews for this approach, but I thought it was great. It was like peeling back layers one by one. It might make you think a little bit to keep track of where you are on both plot lines, but that’s not such a terrible thing.
All the Birds, Singing is oppressive, dark, and gooood. Not to mention funny, too. In all I’ve read about this novel, no one seems to mention the humor. It’s not hilarious - you won’t be gasping for air - but there were moments when I chuckled to myself because the characters were saying or doing goofy things, or were just so realistically awkward with each other that it cut through the gloom. Lloyd’s character, the middle aged drunk who becomes Jake’s unlikely companion, was fantastic. He added some much needed levity to an otherwise heavy novel, and even in doing so we learned his own story was a sad one. And Dog. Anyone who owns and/or loves dogs will appreciate Dog. (I’m know I’m guilty of talking to my dog the way Jake does.)
I have to say that I’m surprised people are all up in arms about the ending. I thought it was one of the better endings I’ve read in a long while. I like the ambiguity. I like that it got kind of wild and psychological in the final chapters. It shifts the whole narrative and makes you rethink everything that’s come before. Sure, Wyld leaves it open ended, but do you really think those characters are going to find any closure? I don’t think that’s what it’s about; their stories aren’t going to be wrapped up all nice and neat. This was a story about the futility of running from something inescapable, denying something irrefutable, and seeking redemption in isolation. Closure’s not on the menu, but maybe the first step towards it is.
All the Birds, Singing is oppressive, dark, and gooood. Not to mention funny, too. In all I’ve read about this novel, no one seems to mention the humor. It’s not hilarious - you won’t be gasping for air - but there were moments when I chuckled to myself because the characters were saying or doing goofy things, or were just so realistically awkward with each other that it cut through the gloom. Lloyd’s character, the middle aged drunk who becomes Jake’s unlikely companion, was fantastic. He added some much needed levity to an otherwise heavy novel, and even in doing so we learned his own story was a sad one. And Dog. Anyone who owns and/or loves dogs will appreciate Dog. (I’m know I’m guilty of talking to my dog the way Jake does.)
I have to say that I’m surprised people are all up in arms about the ending. I thought it was one of the better endings I’ve read in a long while. I like the ambiguity. I like that it got kind of wild and psychological in the final chapters. It shifts the whole narrative and makes you rethink everything that’s come before. Sure, Wyld leaves it open ended, but do you really think those characters are going to find any closure? I don’t think that’s what it’s about; their stories aren’t going to be wrapped up all nice and neat. This was a story about the futility of running from something inescapable, denying something irrefutable, and seeking redemption in isolation. Closure’s not on the menu, but maybe the first step towards it is.
cameco's review against another edition
1.0
Probably more like 1.5*
This was difficult to rate. I've ended up going more with what I felt about the story. It all felt a little disjointed but over all it was well written. I just found it too unsettling to really enjoy and there were times when I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish the book because of the content. Sexual abuse and animal cruelty are two things I can't stand to read about and if I'd known they'd be part of the story I would never have picked it up.
This was difficult to rate. I've ended up going more with what I felt about the story. It all felt a little disjointed but over all it was well written. I just found it too unsettling to really enjoy and there were times when I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish the book because of the content. Sexual abuse and animal cruelty are two things I can't stand to read about and if I'd known they'd be part of the story I would never have picked it up.
houk's review against another edition
3.0
might gather my thoughts for a more fleshed-out review, but i'm kind of just ready to be done with it. i don't have many lingering thoughts in the first place, and i find myself relatively indifferent to the novel. the premise was interesting, although i feel that it promised more than it delivered. ultimately, i can't be upset. i enjoyed it well enough, but i can't see myself rereading it.
joannelock's review against another edition
5.0
This troubling, totally engrossing and exquisitely written Australian novel is another five star read from a new(ish) female author. Set concurrently on a craggy, weather-beaten British island and in remote sheep-farming territory of Western Australia, the story is creeping with loneliness, isolation and escape. The characters are few and all extremely flawed and the tension is, at times, hard to bear.
fi_reads_more's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katepfeil's review against another edition
DNF @ 45 pages
I just, ugggg. I REALLY wanted to love this, I've been SO excited to read this book ever since I got it but it is just so incredibly slow and boring and not keeping my attention at all. It took me nearly 30 minutes to trudge through 15 pages because I kept just not wanting to read and finding anything else to do tbh.
I'm definitely putting it down for now because it's slowing down my booktubathon reading, but I might pick it back up later on? not sure.
I just, ugggg. I REALLY wanted to love this, I've been SO excited to read this book ever since I got it but it is just so incredibly slow and boring and not keeping my attention at all. It took me nearly 30 minutes to trudge through 15 pages because I kept just not wanting to read and finding anything else to do tbh.
I'm definitely putting it down for now because it's slowing down my booktubathon reading, but I might pick it back up later on? not sure.
suvimj's review
2.0
Takakansiteksti kuvaili tajunnanräjäyttäväksi, pelottavaksi ja maagiseksi, mutta yhtään näistä ominaisuuksista en tarinasta löytänyt. Oli siinä hieman jännitystä, mutta vain hieman. Tarinan rakentelu oli mielenkiintoista ja valatavirrasta poikkeavaa, mutta en nähnyt siinä mitään maagista. Puhumattakaan, että teos olisi räjäyttänyt tajunnan. Melko tavallinen tarina väkivaltaista ja raakaa menneisyyttään paenneesta nuoresta naisesta, jota menneisyyden mustat pedot vainoavat toisella puolella maapalloakin. Loppu oli lähes kliseinen. Vain oivaltava rakenne nostaa arvion kahteen tähteen.
mitaluimmekerran's review
4.0
Olipa se yllättävän vahva. Rumankaunis, otteessaan pitävä ja täysin yllättäen hyvä, vaikka ensin en ihan lämmennyt ja lopuksi pelkäsin lässähtävää lopetusta. Kokonaisuutena ehkä 3,5 tähteä, mutta pyöristyy ylöspäin koukuttavuutensa ansiosta.