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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
Josie is in a rough spot - she’s divorced, still reeling from the loss of her father, has a complicated relationship with her mother, a job she finds little satisfaction in, and her only companion is her pet chihuahua. Then, one day, she gets a new neighbour, Sue. Josie doesn’t think much of Sue - until strange things start to happen not long after she moves in. Huge vines start growing in Josie’s usually-barren garden, and then a skeleton shows up, telling odd little stories and making Josie think about things she’s spent a long time trying to bury. A bargain is made between Josie and the skeleton, but Josie doesn’t know if she is prepared for what the skeleton has planned.
I don’t really know what I was expecting going in to reading this, but it wasn’t what I got. This was a far more introspective book than I thought it would be, I suppose; it’s listed as a horror, but I’m not entirely sure I agree with that. There was certainly content that was horrifying, but to me, this book was almost entirely about grief and the damage it can cause, the impact it can leave behind. The supernatural elements worked well, to me, as a way of exploring this concept. It sort of reminded me of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, although obviously far more adult, and more unsettling and odd.
‘Unsettling’ is perhaps the best way I would describe this book. It didn’t frighten me as I expect to be frightened when I read a horror novel, but it feels claustrophobic. I really felt like I was right there, experiencing Josie’s pain and horror. Josie was a really interesting character: her pragmatism and attitude was entertaining, and whilst she had some personality traits that should have made her hard to like, ultimately I empathised with her a great deal. Her story is desperately sad; there were parts of the book, especially towards the end, as Josie came to terms with what was happening, that I felt very emotional.
The biggest strength of this book was definitely the writing. It’s amusing - Meuret has a lovely turn of phrase - but is also very atmospheric. The passages about grief and loss were truly heartbreaking and insightful, and as I have already said, Josie’s pain felt very real to me. There were parts of this book that were truly beautiful, and there was also some very clever bits. The switch of language - referring through most of it to ‘losing’ someone, to them being ‘sick’, before changing to the blunt reality of ‘dead’, was very effective, and there were other examples too.
My only gripe was I found some of the book a bit confusing, a bit muddled. It is undoubtedly a good book in that it is well-written, and the characters are well-drawn and complex, but I did finish it not entirely sure what was happening. But then again - I’m not entirely sure it matters. Little Bird made me feel a lot of things as I was reading it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was. Parts of the content are tough, but it has some very beautiful and atmospheric writing, and whilst I’m not sure I would ever reread it, I’m very glad that I have read it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Warnings:
Other:.
I don’t really know what I was expecting going in to reading this, but it wasn’t what I got. This was a far more introspective book than I thought it would be, I suppose; it’s listed as a horror, but I’m not entirely sure I agree with that. There was certainly content that was horrifying, but to me, this book was almost entirely about grief and the damage it can cause, the impact it can leave behind. The supernatural elements worked well, to me, as a way of exploring this concept. It sort of reminded me of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, although obviously far more adult, and more unsettling and odd.
‘Unsettling’ is perhaps the best way I would describe this book. It didn’t frighten me as I expect to be frightened when I read a horror novel, but it feels claustrophobic. I really felt like I was right there, experiencing Josie’s pain and horror. Josie was a really interesting character: her pragmatism and attitude was entertaining, and whilst she had some personality traits that should have made her hard to like, ultimately I empathised with her a great deal. Her story is desperately sad; there were parts of the book, especially towards the end, as Josie came to terms with what was happening, that I felt very emotional.
The biggest strength of this book was definitely the writing. It’s amusing - Meuret has a lovely turn of phrase - but is also very atmospheric. The passages about grief and loss were truly heartbreaking and insightful, and as I have already said, Josie’s pain felt very real to me. There were parts of this book that were truly beautiful, and there was also some very clever bits. The switch of language - referring through most of it to ‘losing’ someone, to them being ‘sick’, before changing to the blunt reality of ‘dead’, was very effective, and there were other examples too.
My only gripe was I found some of the book a bit confusing, a bit muddled. It is undoubtedly a good book in that it is well-written, and the characters are well-drawn and complex, but I did finish it not entirely sure what was happening. But then again - I’m not entirely sure it matters. Little Bird made me feel a lot of things as I was reading it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was. Parts of the content are tough, but it has some very beautiful and atmospheric writing, and whilst I’m not sure I would ever reread it, I’m very glad that I have read it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Warnings:
Spoiler
Death of a parent (in past), grief, alcoholism.Other:
Spoiler
Divorce (in past).
„She was either crazy or she was talking to the dead. Either way, she was utterly fucked.”
welp, that was disappointing…
It started off good. I sympathized with the mc and her dog and then the skeleton but then they talked about some stories and i was so uninterested that the entire thing seemed boring to me. i was waiting the entire time for something interesting to happen but nothing…
i also dont really get how its supposed to be horror when legit nothing happens except for a skeleton being in the backyard and since the first description of it was “halloween decoration “, i pictured it so uncreepy the entire time (which wasnt very helpful in such a boring story)
non of the relationships or the “character development” made sense to me. they all just seemed to act best fit for what the author wanted instead of actually making sense to the characters.
it was such a small book but still i felt like it took me ages to finish cuz nothing was going on
welp, that was disappointing…
It started off good. I sympathized with the mc and her dog and then the skeleton but then they talked about some stories and i was so uninterested that the entire thing seemed boring to me. i was waiting the entire time for something interesting to happen but nothing…
i also dont really get how its supposed to be horror when legit nothing happens except for a skeleton being in the backyard and since the first description of it was “halloween decoration “, i pictured it so uncreepy the entire time (which wasnt very helpful in such a boring story)
non of the relationships or the “character development” made sense to me. they all just seemed to act best fit for what the author wanted instead of actually making sense to the characters.
it was such a small book but still i felt like it took me ages to finish cuz nothing was going on
When a skeleton ends up in your backyard and it has stories to tell. It happened to Josie in 'Little Bird'. The strange situation seemed to be a message from faith.
This is a very strange story, and that's softly said. Certain things about this book are confusing. It's categorized as 'horror', yet, there is nothing which hints to a creepy story which is about to make you scared. You will frown during the whole story. Besides, the skeleton is described in such a cute way; that it is harsh to not see it.
I waited and waited, for something to happen. They story is very flat. Josie isn't the nicest character, nor the most interesting one. The first part of the book felt so arrogant. There is nothing to like about Josie due to her pessimistic attitude and horrific behavior.
I liked the idea, the plot and the casual setting; but it wasn't enough to catch my attention and make me warm to read more. It is a quick read and the writing style is fine, but still, it does feel like a struggle to continu. Some scènes were beautifully writing and had amazing quotes to them.
This is a very strange story, and that's softly said. Certain things about this book are confusing. It's categorized as 'horror', yet, there is nothing which hints to a creepy story which is about to make you scared. You will frown during the whole story. Besides, the skeleton is described in such a cute way; that it is harsh to not see it.
I waited and waited, for something to happen. They story is very flat. Josie isn't the nicest character, nor the most interesting one. The first part of the book felt so arrogant. There is nothing to like about Josie due to her pessimistic attitude and horrific behavior.
I liked the idea, the plot and the casual setting; but it wasn't enough to catch my attention and make me warm to read more. It is a quick read and the writing style is fine, but still, it does feel like a struggle to continu. Some scènes were beautifully writing and had amazing quotes to them.
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"We may not always be aware of the energy we force upon the world, but that doesn't release us of our responsibility to it."
Josie is recently divorced and grieving the death of her father. She copes by following a routine of work, playing with her dog, and ending the nights drinking. Her life suddenly changes when a shrub in her backyard grows into a yard of vines and propped on a throne is a talking skeleton named Skelly. At the same time, a new neighbour next door won't leave her alone until Josie realizes she might know something about her bizarre visitor.
Josie was a bitter, sardonic character that I loved. Someone who isolated herself away from everyone after the death of her father, her divorce, and the strained relationship with her mother. All she had left was her dog, Po, her job to keep her mind busy, and lots of alcohol.
Until a magical skeleton popped up in her backyard and her strange neighbour, Sue, appeared, sending her over the edge. I mean, who wouldn't think they're going crazy if a talking skeleton suddenly appeared? Who wouldn't be annoyed at a persistent neighbour? Vines that could grow and move by its own accord?
I loved Skelly and the conversations between her and Josie. What started off as fun, sarcastic banter eventually turned into something deeper. I wasn't expecting the direction the story went, but it worked well.
I don't know how I came across this book, but I'm so glad I did because I loved it so much. Don't go into this book expecting horror because it's not. It was more of magical realism, which I wasn't expecting but loved anyway. This was a unique, weird, funny, reflective, and magical story.
Josie is recently divorced and grieving the death of her father. She copes by following a routine of work, playing with her dog, and ending the nights drinking. Her life suddenly changes when a shrub in her backyard grows into a yard of vines and propped on a throne is a talking skeleton named Skelly. At the same time, a new neighbour next door won't leave her alone until Josie realizes she might know something about her bizarre visitor.
Josie was a bitter, sardonic character that I loved. Someone who isolated herself away from everyone after the death of her father, her divorce, and the strained relationship with her mother. All she had left was her dog, Po, her job to keep her mind busy, and lots of alcohol.
Until a magical skeleton popped up in her backyard and her strange neighbour, Sue, appeared, sending her over the edge. I mean, who wouldn't think they're going crazy if a talking skeleton suddenly appeared? Who wouldn't be annoyed at a persistent neighbour? Vines that could grow and move by its own accord?
I loved Skelly and the conversations between her and Josie. What started off as fun, sarcastic banter eventually turned into something deeper. I wasn't expecting the direction the story went, but it worked well.
I don't know how I came across this book, but I'm so glad I did because I loved it so much. Don't go into this book expecting horror because it's not. It was more of magical realism, which I wasn't expecting but loved anyway. This was a unique, weird, funny, reflective, and magical story.
What a sweet little gem of a story this was. While I disagree with this being labeled as horror, it is definitely a compelling novella that I'm not sure I would have picked up if it hadn't been in the horror section on Netgalley.
This story takes place over a very short span of time, but it never felt as though there was something missing, time-wise. Our main character is in voluntary isolation, having cut herself off from the world as much as possible after her father's death and her own divorce. She lives with her small dog, makes her living by rewording customer interaction emails for impatient company CEOs, turns their vitriol into polite versions of "fuck off", and then drinks herself into oblivion, only to start over the next day. It's a structured, yet empty life, but Josie convinces herself that she's content.
Until the day she looks out her window, and sees a strange weed sprouting in her otherwise desolate yard.
In just a day or two, the weed has taken over her yard, and the vines have created a throne for a weathered-looking skeleton to perch on. The skeleton is not only unnerving to look at, but it also suddenly speaks to Josie, making her question her life choices. And not only that, it makes her take on the challenge of coming up with a story that the skeleton - Skelly, as she decides to be called - has never heard before. She has three days, no ideas, and the ground underneath her house is literally threatening to swallow her whole.
Little at a time, we get to know Josie and come to understand what is going on with her, her self-imposed social exile, and her escape into alcohol and professional word-mincing, all delivered in witty and thoughtful writing. I honestly didn't think I would tear up toward the end, but following along with Josie and Po made me invested.
If you're looking for a thoughtful little story about how we choose to remember and be remembered, definitely give this book a read!
This story takes place over a very short span of time, but it never felt as though there was something missing, time-wise. Our main character is in voluntary isolation, having cut herself off from the world as much as possible after her father's death and her own divorce. She lives with her small dog, makes her living by rewording customer interaction emails for impatient company CEOs, turns their vitriol into polite versions of "fuck off", and then drinks herself into oblivion, only to start over the next day. It's a structured, yet empty life, but Josie convinces herself that she's content.
Until the day she looks out her window, and sees a strange weed sprouting in her otherwise desolate yard.
In just a day or two, the weed has taken over her yard, and the vines have created a throne for a weathered-looking skeleton to perch on. The skeleton is not only unnerving to look at, but it also suddenly speaks to Josie, making her question her life choices. And not only that, it makes her take on the challenge of coming up with a story that the skeleton - Skelly, as she decides to be called - has never heard before. She has three days, no ideas, and the ground underneath her house is literally threatening to swallow her whole.
Little at a time, we get to know Josie and come to understand what is going on with her, her self-imposed social exile, and her escape into alcohol and professional word-mincing, all delivered in witty and thoughtful writing. I honestly didn't think I would tear up toward the end, but following along with Josie and Po made me invested.
If you're looking for a thoughtful little story about how we choose to remember and be remembered, definitely give this book a read!
I wasn't sure what to expect with Little Bird but I was pleasantly surprised! Skelly and her vines serve as a metaphor for what could devour Josie the hermit in her grief and inability to cope. Memorable characters in a book that addresses grief and the living condition with snark.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book through NetGalley.
Little Bird is a delightfully weird, dark, sardonic fairy tale. Josie, an alcoholic recluse, confronts physical and psychological demons when a talking skeleton shows up in her backyard and forces her to confront her own mediocrity and failures. I quite enjoyed it, although the protagonist seemed hellbent on being the antagonist of her own story, which made parts of it frustrating to read.
I always find it interesting when an author writes unflinchingly about the flaws of their own characters, and Meuret certainly gave Josie enough flaws to keep me engaged. I found the plot a little boring in the middle, but the humor and originality kept me going long enough to get over that brief hump. The end was gratifying enough to have made this book worth reading, and I'll definitely be recommending it to a couple of my friends. It's not for everyone, for sure, but if you like dark humor and fantasy, you'll probably enjoy Little Bird.
Little Bird is a delightfully weird, dark, sardonic fairy tale. Josie, an alcoholic recluse, confronts physical and psychological demons when a talking skeleton shows up in her backyard and forces her to confront her own mediocrity and failures. I quite enjoyed it, although the protagonist seemed hellbent on being the antagonist of her own story, which made parts of it frustrating to read.
I always find it interesting when an author writes unflinchingly about the flaws of their own characters, and Meuret certainly gave Josie enough flaws to keep me engaged. I found the plot a little boring in the middle, but the humor and originality kept me going long enough to get over that brief hump. The end was gratifying enough to have made this book worth reading, and I'll definitely be recommending it to a couple of my friends. It's not for everyone, for sure, but if you like dark humor and fantasy, you'll probably enjoy Little Bird.
I've been tryin to think about how I'd write this review, because this book is an odd one. Protagonist Josie is an alcoholic who has recently experienced the death of her dad and the end of her marriage. She has an antagonistic relationship with her mother, and no friends to speak of. Then one afternoon strange vines begin sprouting in her backyard, accompanied by a talking skeleton who claims to want to help Josie. Things get worse, and Josie finds that her best way out is to die and become a creature like the skeleton, capable of interacting with people, presumably those in need. Is the whole thing an alcohol-induced hallucination or is it real? Is suicide really the best option for Josie? Is there no way for her to fix her life? I found the novel frustratingly vague--the dialogue alone is a masterclass in people saying nothing--and disturbing. Perhaps that was the author's intent.
I was so excited for this book and I'm so disappointed I didn't love it.
I hated the main character Josie, I thought she was very one dimensional and she was very annoying. I think she was supposed to read as an unreliable narrator which I usually enjoy but this time was just a flop for me honestly. I did think Skelly was a cool character but even then I don't think this one should count as Horror, to me, I don't understand the horror vibes..
Po (Josie's little chihuahua) and the stunning cover was obviously my favorite thing about this whole book
I can definitely see potential in this author's writing and would consider reading from her again.
Thankyou to netgalley for allowing me to read this one early.
I hated the main character Josie, I thought she was very one dimensional and she was very annoying. I think she was supposed to read as an unreliable narrator which I usually enjoy but this time was just a flop for me honestly. I did think Skelly was a cool character but even then I don't think this one should count as Horror, to me, I don't understand the horror vibes..
Po (Josie's little chihuahua) and the stunning cover was obviously my favorite thing about this whole book
I can definitely see potential in this author's writing and would consider reading from her again.
Thankyou to netgalley for allowing me to read this one early.