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A review by caseythecanadianlesbrarian
Prairie Ostrich by Tamai Kobayashi
4.0
Prairie Ostrich by Tamai Kobayashi is not a bold book. It is not a quick read. It is not an action-packed book. It is not explicit. For these reasons, and more, this first-time novel is one of the most powerful I’ve ever read.
Kobayashi, who was born in Japan and raised in Canada, has crafted one hell of a mesmerizing novel. It’s the kind of fascinating that you might miss, though, if you try to read it too fast; it would be too easy to miss the subtle, quiet power of this novel. So take your time! For one thing, it takes a while to sink into the setting of Prairie Ostrich, which is an historical novel set in rural Alberta in the 70s. Your angle on this small town called (significantly) Bittercreek is not what you might expect: eight-year-old “Egg” Murakami is the limited perspective you get. Egg is having a rough time. Her teenage brother Albert died last summer, and her family are all grieving in their own way. Her dad has secluded himself away in the barn with the ostriches he raises. Her mother drinks whiskey at all hours of the day. Her older sister Kathy—in grade twelve—is trying to hold the family together, and is the only one really present for Egg, who is not only trying to make sense of her brother’s death but deal with the bullies at her school....
See the rest of my review here: http://caseythecanadianlesbrarian.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/quiet-subtle-power-on-the-prairies-a-review-of-tamai-kobayashis-novel-prairie-ostrich/
Kobayashi, who was born in Japan and raised in Canada, has crafted one hell of a mesmerizing novel. It’s the kind of fascinating that you might miss, though, if you try to read it too fast; it would be too easy to miss the subtle, quiet power of this novel. So take your time! For one thing, it takes a while to sink into the setting of Prairie Ostrich, which is an historical novel set in rural Alberta in the 70s. Your angle on this small town called (significantly) Bittercreek is not what you might expect: eight-year-old “Egg” Murakami is the limited perspective you get. Egg is having a rough time. Her teenage brother Albert died last summer, and her family are all grieving in their own way. Her dad has secluded himself away in the barn with the ostriches he raises. Her mother drinks whiskey at all hours of the day. Her older sister Kathy—in grade twelve—is trying to hold the family together, and is the only one really present for Egg, who is not only trying to make sense of her brother’s death but deal with the bullies at her school....
See the rest of my review here: http://caseythecanadianlesbrarian.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/quiet-subtle-power-on-the-prairies-a-review-of-tamai-kobayashis-novel-prairie-ostrich/