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brandysith's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Each story was very interesting and well-written, but most of them felt unfinished.
Each story was very interesting and well-written, but most of them felt unfinished.
murakamiangel's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bexapril1's review against another edition
2.0
Better than her novels but not as good as any other collection of short stories I've ever read. Also, I'm certainly no prude but I'm unbelievably tired of reading Ann Hood's sex scenes -- they seem so gratuitous and also completely distanced from reality.
pussreboots's review
5.0
The dedication to An Ornithologist's Guide to Life makes me tear up whenever I read it but it's important for putting the stories in context. The dedication reads: In loving memory of my daughter Gracie Belle / September 24, 1996-April 18, 2002.
The short stories in An Ornithologist's Guide to Life share the theme of family and loss. They aren't all about death and they aren't all about mothers and children but there is always a need for an intimate connection (through family, friendship, love) and a loss (either feared or actual).
Ann Hood creates memorable characters who linger longer after their stories end. There's a alcoholic woman who seduces a reverend nine years her junior and takes him spelunking. In another one, a pregnant woman recently separated from her husband bakes beautiful deserts to keep herself sane but doesn't eat what she creates. There is a friendship ended over an unwanted pregnancy. And so forth.
With the exception of one story, "Inside Gorbachev's Head" I enjoyed the book, connected with the characters and experienced the wide range of emotions that come with life. "Inside Gorbachev's Head" knocked me out of the moment though. It's the story of now grown children learning the truth behind the parties that went on in their home and next door. It's a much angrier and sensationalist piece than the other ones and it just doesn't seem to fit.
Despite the one disappointing story, I rated the book five out of five. It's a book that will stick with me and that I will consider giving as a gift in the future.
The short stories in An Ornithologist's Guide to Life share the theme of family and loss. They aren't all about death and they aren't all about mothers and children but there is always a need for an intimate connection (through family, friendship, love) and a loss (either feared or actual).
Ann Hood creates memorable characters who linger longer after their stories end. There's a alcoholic woman who seduces a reverend nine years her junior and takes him spelunking. In another one, a pregnant woman recently separated from her husband bakes beautiful deserts to keep herself sane but doesn't eat what she creates. There is a friendship ended over an unwanted pregnancy. And so forth.
With the exception of one story, "Inside Gorbachev's Head" I enjoyed the book, connected with the characters and experienced the wide range of emotions that come with life. "Inside Gorbachev's Head" knocked me out of the moment though. It's the story of now grown children learning the truth behind the parties that went on in their home and next door. It's a much angrier and sensationalist piece than the other ones and it just doesn't seem to fit.
Despite the one disappointing story, I rated the book five out of five. It's a book that will stick with me and that I will consider giving as a gift in the future.
lanner's review
4.0
Her endings are strong. I especially liked Language of Sorrow, & Escapes. Also New People, Lost Parts, After Zane, Joelle's Mother. Now I must read more of her!
brandysith's review
3.0
3.5/5
Each story was very interesting and well-written, but most of them felt unfinished.
Each story was very interesting and well-written, but most of them felt unfinished.
elizabethcraft's review
4.0
I enjoyed nearly all of the stories in An Ornithologist's Guide to Life. Hood writes well and creates strong characters. Each story deals with love, sex and loss in a unique and interesting way.
It reads quickly and is a nice alternative to a typical beach read novel.
It reads quickly and is a nice alternative to a typical beach read novel.
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