Reviews

Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino

Only show reviews with written explanations

lbw's review

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I was very eager to finish this as I was not liking it. The last two chapters, however, saved it for me. I still didn’t enjoy reading it, but I got something out of it in the end.

kibortolotti's review

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I thought the writing was a bit odd and pretentious. The story could have been engaging if it weren't for the way the protagonist narrated.

thistigercanread's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

wonder if it’s a metaphor; believe in every word.

Stunning, odd, and magical. I have never underlined some many passages in a book—the words undid me at every turn. This is powerful and painful and healing to read, and highly recommended for people who enjoy fabulism or magical realism. Of particular interest to fans of Kelly Link and Aimee Bender.

clairedolese's review against another edition

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It just wasn’t great. It was very melodramatic and didn’t really have an explanation for why. It was difficult to understand the character, she was over the top about most things and she just didn’t seem like a good person. Not being an upstanding person isn’t always a turn off for a book, I can get behind rooting for the bad guy but she was honestly just a little insufferable.

kbholzman's review

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4.0

Much to like about this book: the magical realism (loved the first chapter when the protagonist's grandmother appears as a bird), the crisp language, the original description of everyday life in New York City. If only the protagonist, a trauma survivor during the week of her marriage, could shed her ambivalence and appreciate her unique view of the world.