Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A tough read but enjoyable all the same. I really liked the premise of the talking bird as it gave a different perspective to the story. I'm sensing a theme in these books based in nz!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
interestingly written book! but i do not care to read about violent husbands at this time <3
4 stars for the writing and work that went into this book. But… I just didnt enjoy a book where there is DV and the ‘villian’ gets an easy ending. I suppose I wanted more for the other characters in terms of growth. Ah well.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story was more dark than I thought due to featuring domestic violence.
The setting is sheep station on the South Island of New Zealand and the story is narrated by a magpie named Tama that has been raised by hand after falling from the nest and mimics human speech.
The farm is struggling and Rob takes his problems out on his wife which at times makes quite harrowing reading. Marnie makes excuses for him and spends much of her time turning Tama into an Internet sensation to make money which at times furiates Rob further. I was reading Marnie's actions and didn't think she was helping herself when she knew what Rob was like which was part of the book I couldn't grasp .
The darkness is often balanced out though with the humour in the many interjections made by Tama into all sorts of conversations which are often inappropriate.
I really enjoyed the almost horror feel of the book and felt it quite a compulsive read.
A perfect choice for New Zealand in my Around The World book challenge.
The setting is sheep station on the South Island of New Zealand and the story is narrated by a magpie named Tama that has been raised by hand after falling from the nest and mimics human speech.
The farm is struggling and Rob takes his problems out on his wife which at times makes quite harrowing reading. Marnie makes excuses for him and spends much of her time turning Tama into an Internet sensation to make money which at times furiates Rob further. I was reading Marnie's actions and didn't think she was helping herself when she knew what Rob was like which was part of the book I couldn't grasp .
The darkness is often balanced out though with the humour in the many interjections made by Tama into all sorts of conversations which are often inappropriate.
I really enjoyed the almost horror feel of the book and felt it quite a compulsive read.
A perfect choice for New Zealand in my Around The World book challenge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
What a heartwarming, gut-wrenching read. I didn’t know what to expect from a book narrated by a bird, but I had such a hard time putting this one down. Tama is such a unique narrator and easily carries the story! His constant repetition of even the subtle lines from earlier in the story makes the book feel very complete (for lack of a better word) from start to finish. While the story is certainly a heavy one, one with a dramatic ending I started dreading from the get-go, its charm is undeniable.
Only docking a quarter-star due to it dragging a little in the middle, but considering I finished this thing in two days that’s not much of a criticism!
Only docking a quarter-star due to it dragging a little in the middle, but considering I finished this thing in two days that’s not much of a criticism!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief