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janey's review against another edition
5.0
Terrific. This is as inspired and inspiring as Isabella Tree's Wilding.
dancingwaffle's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
alishamadison's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I read this book earlier this year and cannot stop thinking about it. This book made me feel just about every emotion possible.
leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
Please seek out a diverse set of reviews.
This is a memoir of a few years in the life of a chronically ill (ADHD, ME, dyslexia) author leading up to her divorce focused on George the bird. The reference to her husband as “the ex” was a bit jarring, and he is not painted in a favorable light or into the bird obsession, or George obsession.
It does read a bit like an obsession, she was clearly very focused on the bird to the point of putting much of her life on hold to be accessible 24/7 to George. At 85% I expected the book to end but it continue with many more months of new birds and some health issues and the beginnings of the divorce. It does seem to end abruptly.
Overall interesting look into the life of a stranger raising a bird. Definitely won’t be for everyone as it was a very emotional experience for the author and it’s all about birds.
This is a memoir of a few years in the life of a chronically ill (ADHD, ME, dyslexia) author leading up to her divorce focused on George the bird. The reference to her husband as “the ex” was a bit jarring, and he is not painted in a favorable light or into the bird obsession, or George obsession.
It does read a bit like an obsession, she was clearly very focused on the bird to the point of putting much of her life on hold to be accessible 24/7 to George. At 85% I expected the book to end but it continue with many more months of new birds and some health issues and the beginnings of the divorce. It does seem to end abruptly.
Overall interesting look into the life of a stranger raising a bird. Definitely won’t be for everyone as it was a very emotional experience for the author and it’s all about birds.
daytonm's review against another edition
4.0
George himself is a delight, and his interactions with the author’s dogs had me riveted. It’s a very different book than H is for Hawk, but as they are both about women struggling with their lives becoming obsessed with birds, and I read both this summer, it’s tempting to compare them. What stands out is how concerned Hughes is for the magpie’s own well-being, and how she agonized over what is best for George himself. George’s personality, too, takes over the page. By contrast MacDonald seems much more selfish in her interest in her hawk.
It’s not clear that Hughes always makes the best choices for George or the other birds who come into her life (or for herself), and it’s jarring that this obvious animal lover eats a lot of meat throughout without thinking twice. But the fact that she cares makes this a much more interesting book. It does lose a little steam once it stops being about George though, he’s fascinating.
It’s not clear that Hughes always makes the best choices for George or the other birds who come into her life (or for herself), and it’s jarring that this obvious animal lover eats a lot of meat throughout without thinking twice. But the fact that she cares makes this a much more interesting book. It does lose a little steam once it stops being about George though, he’s fascinating.
emmasbooksyay's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.75
david66's review
emotional
funny
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Loved this book.
Frieda Hughes is the daughter of poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. This is a very engaging and well written memoir of her time bringing up a rescued baby magpie named George.
Lot's of interesting magpie facts together with funny accounts of the birds' antics. But it's also about how her obsession with George affected other aspects of her life. Both funny and sad; and occasionally tense as George's actions put him in jeopardy. There is also a smattering of Frieda's George related poetry. This was a joyous read and, surprisingly, something of a 'page turner'.
Frieda Hughes is the daughter of poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. This is a very engaging and well written memoir of her time bringing up a rescued baby magpie named George.
Lot's of interesting magpie facts together with funny accounts of the birds' antics. But it's also about how her obsession with George affected other aspects of her life. Both funny and sad; and occasionally tense as George's actions put him in jeopardy. There is also a smattering of Frieda's George related poetry. This was a joyous read and, surprisingly, something of a 'page turner'.
brandimoriarty10's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Such a fun book, you get to learn so much about Magpies and other birds in a way that is interesting. The love for birds and animals is beautiful in this book. If you check out the authors Instagram you get to see George and her other gorgeous creatures.