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carlyreads77's review
I wanted to love this book, and I may revisit it again, but it was too disjointed for me to really enjoy the writing. I felt like I was reading two books at once. I liked the stories from the author's life more than her musings on the world at large.
angelamichelle's review against another edition
Built around her inheritance of her mother’s many volumes of journals, all of them blank. Which is such a alluring concept. And there are some moments. But so much feels unfinished, lazy, self-indulgent.
heidihaverkamp's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this were so rich and complex, but much of this book for me felt chaotic or too experimental, without enough focus. It didn't work for me, although I admire TTW very much.
lady_wira's review against another edition
4.0
The title caught my attention. When women were birds…did they fly? Were they able to fly free? My imagination ran wild. The author, Terry Tempest William surpassed them all.
What would you do if you got a hold of your mother’s deepest secrets, thoughts, experiences and opinions but only after she’s gone? If she were alive, the room to ask questions, to seek clarification would be priceless but alas! A caveat.
Through these pages I felt the author’s awakening, the realization that children hardly know their parents, and on the rare opportunity that they do, they may or may not like them; may or may not relate with them but unmistakably will see them for who they are.
The book tackles the importance of using our voice, how we speak to ourselves, to others and how we are spoken to. It delves into the realm of women’s struggle with being heard, the power of NO and consequently the importance of consent.
When women were birds is a kaleidoscope of the author’s interpretation of the mother’s blank pages. On occasion what we write and what is perceived aren’t always the same. As the author says, “To write requires an ego, a belief that what you say matters.” Through self-interpretations of one’s words, we get to see and relive them.
One of my favourite quotes is, “When one woman doesn’t speak, other women get hurt.” This is true of history, present and future, we have come a long way as humans but still have more to conquer. By the end of the book, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and encouragement to speak up.
The constant is this, “When silence is a choice, it is an unnerving presence. When silence is imposed, it is censorship.” Use your voice, use it clearly, use it consistently and use it unapologetically.
May those that come after us find better. This book has a permanent spot on my bookshelf, it will do for a constant reminder that we are here, we are enough and we have to occupy space.
[b:When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice|13166601|When Women Were Birds Fifty-four Variations on Voice|Terry Tempest Williams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327073062l/13166601._SX50_.jpg|18345824][a:Terry Tempest Williams|8155|Terry Tempest Williams|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336331040p2/8155.jpg]
What would you do if you got a hold of your mother’s deepest secrets, thoughts, experiences and opinions but only after she’s gone? If she were alive, the room to ask questions, to seek clarification would be priceless but alas! A caveat.
Through these pages I felt the author’s awakening, the realization that children hardly know their parents, and on the rare opportunity that they do, they may or may not like them; may or may not relate with them but unmistakably will see them for who they are.
The book tackles the importance of using our voice, how we speak to ourselves, to others and how we are spoken to. It delves into the realm of women’s struggle with being heard, the power of NO and consequently the importance of consent.
When women were birds is a kaleidoscope of the author’s interpretation of the mother’s blank pages. On occasion what we write and what is perceived aren’t always the same. As the author says, “To write requires an ego, a belief that what you say matters.” Through self-interpretations of one’s words, we get to see and relive them.
One of my favourite quotes is, “When one woman doesn’t speak, other women get hurt.” This is true of history, present and future, we have come a long way as humans but still have more to conquer. By the end of the book, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and encouragement to speak up.
The constant is this, “When silence is a choice, it is an unnerving presence. When silence is imposed, it is censorship.” Use your voice, use it clearly, use it consistently and use it unapologetically.
May those that come after us find better. This book has a permanent spot on my bookshelf, it will do for a constant reminder that we are here, we are enough and we have to occupy space.
[b:When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice|13166601|When Women Were Birds Fifty-four Variations on Voice|Terry Tempest Williams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327073062l/13166601._SX50_.jpg|18345824][a:Terry Tempest Williams|8155|Terry Tempest Williams|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1336331040p2/8155.jpg]
_aprillllllllll's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
It took me some time to fall into this book, but it built so beautifully. The last 30 pages I found myself saying “wow” out loud more than once. I found myself profoundly moved without feeling any particular emotion. Simply, this book was a beautiful reflective journey that I feel lucky to have read
swampcat's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A truly beautiful book that gives poetic insight on our relationships with others, ourselves and the natural world. This book will always have a place in my heart.