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trinettehunter's review against another edition
4.0
“WHEN WE GOT to the meeting, the agenda, already noted on the whiteboard by the secretary on shift--one of those people who write oh so neatly while dreaming about the planet finally blowing apart--“
sarahd22081's review against another edition
3.0
This tells a poignant fable but the narrative lags in the middle. I would have preferred it as a short story.
justinprintreads's review against another edition
5.0
“From up above, life showed you its transparent threads. Sometimes you wanted to open your eyes and follow their course. At others, you preferred to squeeze your eyes shut and not let in any kind of light."
How To Turn Into a Bird by María José Ferrada (and translated by Elizabeth Bryer) is a wonderful, crisp and lovely tale which explores love, connection, and family.
In Santiago, Chile, twelve year old Miguel is fascinated by his uncle Ramon's new job: maintaining a Coca Cola billboard. Ramon fully commits to his new gig, making the billboard his home…much to the chagrin of his friends, family and community. Miguel's trips to visit Ramon at the billboard forge a connection with his uncle, and leading Miguel to connect with and understand his uncle (despite the negative things his community says about him).
It's a story of being different, of what's considered right and wrong, of the labels we put on others. Of trying to understand those who are misunderstood, of trying to see and appreciate them for who they are.
This is a story that will resonate with anyone. Seen through the lens of a child, there is a beauty in their innocence of trying to understand the world around us, of living with an open heart.
This was such a sensitive, tender, and playful fable; it read like a modern day fairy tale. I loved reading this book. If you're looking for a short, impactful read, I would highly recommend it. The author packs so much into so few pages, it is truly a wonder.
Thank you Tin House for the opportunity to read and review this title.
How To Turn Into a Bird by María José Ferrada (and translated by Elizabeth Bryer) is a wonderful, crisp and lovely tale which explores love, connection, and family.
In Santiago, Chile, twelve year old Miguel is fascinated by his uncle Ramon's new job: maintaining a Coca Cola billboard. Ramon fully commits to his new gig, making the billboard his home…much to the chagrin of his friends, family and community. Miguel's trips to visit Ramon at the billboard forge a connection with his uncle, and leading Miguel to connect with and understand his uncle (despite the negative things his community says about him).
It's a story of being different, of what's considered right and wrong, of the labels we put on others. Of trying to understand those who are misunderstood, of trying to see and appreciate them for who they are.
This is a story that will resonate with anyone. Seen through the lens of a child, there is a beauty in their innocence of trying to understand the world around us, of living with an open heart.
This was such a sensitive, tender, and playful fable; it read like a modern day fairy tale. I loved reading this book. If you're looking for a short, impactful read, I would highly recommend it. The author packs so much into so few pages, it is truly a wonder.
Thank you Tin House for the opportunity to read and review this title.
bibliokyra's review against another edition
4.0
How to Turn Into a Bird by María José Ferrada (trans. from Spanish by Elizabeth Bryer) is a coming-of-age story told through the eyes of a curious twelve-year-old boy, Miguel. His unconventional uncle, Ramòn, finds an odd job looking after a Coca-Cola billboard and decides to live up there, perched along the side of a Santiago highway. The author goes on to explore themes of growing up, the deconstruction of innocence, homelessness, differences leading to distrust and the freedom of individuality. Miguel’s young perspective brings so much nuance, innocence and imagination to the story and as he learns of the cruelty of the world, it tugs on the reader’s heart strings. This is a thoughtful, poignant read that can be devoured in one sitting. Thank you so much @tin_house for my #gifted copy.
littlespeck's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure I understand what this book was trying to say. But it was a pleasant read with some beautiful language at times. A very fast read.
nadinekc's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Ferrada's [b:How to Order the Universe|53492677|How to Order the Universe|María José Ferrada|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1613010370l/53492677._SX50_.jpg|83785243], but this one didn't work for me at all. It's written in unadorned, fable-like language with short sections and lots of white space on the page, so it's a very quick read - the only reason I was able to finish it. The book depicts the community and setting very well, but they serve no purpose that I can see. The reading experience was like walking on a treadmill - an activity that took me nowhere. Other GR reviews point out social issues in the book and I can see that, but they feel tepid to me. The strength of 'How to Order...' was in the charming and thoughtful narrator, 7 year old 'M'. In this book the narrator, 12 year old Miguel, seemed bland to me.