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jesstherese's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual violence
roisin_prendergast's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely loved The Language of Birds!
This book is so warm, strong and feminine. I found it on the shelves of the library I work at and was attracted by the 60s/70s imagery on the front cover. The main character Mandy is so likeable and I was hooked by the style of writing; simple yet full of depth. Lots of intricate, unusual metaphors and descriptions that made me feel intrigued about the author. I'm always interested in writing that makes me wonder and admire the authors mind. I had no idea until halfway through, but the story is actually a fictionalised account of events based on the real-life characters and events of the aristocratic Lucan family and their nanny. I won't say much more as it was, for me, a massive spoiler realising this and I would rather have read on oblivious. But yes, Lord and Lady Morven are the fictionalised Lord and Lady Lucan and Mandy is the real-life Sandra Rivett who was the family nanny caught up in the nasty custody-battle.
The writing and characters kind of reminded me of an Edna O'Brien novel. I think that must be the lucid femininity throughout the story; the strength and endurance of women, fertility, and the beauty of female friendship. It really is a beautiful book and I highly recommend.
This book is so warm, strong and feminine. I found it on the shelves of the library I work at and was attracted by the 60s/70s imagery on the front cover. The main character Mandy is so likeable and I was hooked by the style of writing; simple yet full of depth. Lots of intricate, unusual metaphors and descriptions that made me feel intrigued about the author. I'm always interested in writing that makes me wonder and admire the authors mind. I had no idea until halfway through, but the story is actually a fictionalised account of events based on the real-life characters and events of the aristocratic Lucan family and their nanny. I won't say much more as it was, for me, a massive spoiler realising this and I would rather have read on oblivious. But yes, Lord and Lady Morven are the fictionalised Lord and Lady Lucan and Mandy is the real-life Sandra Rivett who was the family nanny caught up in the nasty custody-battle.
The writing and characters kind of reminded me of an Edna O'Brien novel. I think that must be the lucid femininity throughout the story; the strength and endurance of women, fertility, and the beauty of female friendship. It really is a beautiful book and I highly recommend.
margaret21's review against another edition
3.0
Note to self: do not read the Afterword before the book. Because of this - spoiler alert, I knew that this book was heavily based on the Lord Lucan affair, so I knew how it would end. I know Jill Dawson chose to fictionalise this narrative to protect the many people still living who played their part in this story. I wonder how protected they feel, as I suspect this account sails very close to what actually took place?
That aside, this book is a page turner. Mandy the nanny comes across as a warm, likeable person, despite the very difficult circumstances of her childhood, teenage years and young adulthood. Her friend Rosemary, who plays the part of slightly unreliable narrator for part of the story is the vehicle for recurring imagery about birds and the freedom they seem to enjoy.
There's much to relish here about the portrayal of 1970s England, about class, about mental illness and domestic violence. It's worth reading for this alone.
That aside, this book is a page turner. Mandy the nanny comes across as a warm, likeable person, despite the very difficult circumstances of her childhood, teenage years and young adulthood. Her friend Rosemary, who plays the part of slightly unreliable narrator for part of the story is the vehicle for recurring imagery about birds and the freedom they seem to enjoy.
There's much to relish here about the portrayal of 1970s England, about class, about mental illness and domestic violence. It's worth reading for this alone.
traceymc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
miamia1's review
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really interesting take on the case of Lord Lucan
emma_coleman's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
After a traumatic time involving giving up two children and psychiatric care Mandy River is ready to move forward. She arrives in London to work as a nanny with little training but lots of experience and is taken on by Lady Morven to look after her two children. Mandy is supported by her friend Rosemary, a Norland Nanny, and she falls for Neville, a local man. Life in the Morven household is chaotic with fragile Lady Morven in the midst of a bitter battle with her estranged husband, the glamorous gambling Lord Morven. Eventually this has to end in tragedy.
Dawson says that she wanted to write about Lord Lucan but wanted some artistic licence and here she has imagined characters grounded in fact but embellished with fiction. Mandy is a rather tragic character, Lady Morven hard to like and Lord Morven may or may not be a killer. The period touches are immaculate - contraception and sex, racism and fashion are handled brilliantly - the life of society and poverty in 1970s London is juxtaposed. There is a certain degree of floweriness to the writing in places but the sadness of all comes through.
Dawson says that she wanted to write about Lord Lucan but wanted some artistic licence and here she has imagined characters grounded in fact but embellished with fiction. Mandy is a rather tragic character, Lady Morven hard to like and Lord Morven may or may not be a killer. The period touches are immaculate - contraception and sex, racism and fashion are handled brilliantly - the life of society and poverty in 1970s London is juxtaposed. There is a certain degree of floweriness to the writing in places but the sadness of all comes through.
ainsleyiscariot's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
emiliewin3's review
dark
reflective
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? No
5.0