Reviews

The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

ninasbooks57's review against another edition

4.0

I can’t even imagine the heartbreak suffered by the victims of Hitlers insanity. Families separated, tortured, hidden, the fear which encompassed every moment of every day! Then, after the war, never to reconnect with the loved ones who survived- if they survived? Who knew? This is the story of a family devastated and lost to each other. Did they reconnect…???

alyarchive's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Beautifully written book about the suffering one faces in the midst of war. The differences when following the pov for Roza as a mother, and Shira as a daughter as young as 5 years old, is the perfect depiction of contradicting yet similar. I love how honest both of them are, to their feelings and the writing of this piece flows so seamlessly with each chapter gripping you tight especially at its last sentences. The longing in this book is prominent, messages are conveyed so beautifully yet innocently. My new favourite. I just feel like the ending is a bit underwhelming, due to the whole book being such a masterpiece. It is less impactful but is definitely not making the book lacking at all.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Gun violence, Rape, War, and Death

Moderate: Abortion and Suicide attempt

olo_bear's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

kfrickle's review against another edition

Detailed Scene. (I skimmed the rest of book and decided it wasn't going to be for me)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

rampaginglibrarian's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

kayspurlock's review against another edition

1.0

DNF

jameyanne's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was incredibly powerful!

wildweasel105's review against another edition

5.0

This novel deals with the angst and seemingly impossible odds of a Jewish mother and daughter avoiding capture by the Nazis in WWII Poland. This book is destined to be a classic among those that depict the triumph of victims over the evil that pervaded Eastern Europe during the German invasion.
The story is intelligent, well told and above all, allows hope to shine through even in the darkest of circumstances. I especially liked how the daughter's "musical mind" ultimately paved the way for her survival.
Whereas Jerzy Kosinsky's "The Painted Bird", published in 1965, is similar in terms of a Jewish orphan boy escaping capture by the Nazis in war-torn Poland, there is a tremendous difference in terms of the darkness that permeates Kosinsky's story as opposed to the light and reconciliation found in Rosner's story. I highly recommend "The Yellow Bird Sings".

i_soto's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

3.5

alicetaylorxox's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75