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A review by marshalls_library
The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Elizabeth Richmond at first glance seems like an ordinary young woman, doing all of the quiet and normal things that seemingly normal women do in the world of Shirley Jackson's imagination. It's never that simple though, because part of what makes Jackson so fascinating is her ability to create chaos and tension that bubbles under the surface until her characters slowly and inevitably unravel.
In the case of Elizabeth Richmond, her unraveling takes the form of four distinct personalities sharing the same headspace that scheme against and sabotage each other, much to the chagrin of her emotionally damaged aunt/caregiver, and her overly confident psychologist. The way her different personalities jockey for power and play her aunt and doctor against each other is equally entertaining and horrifying.
The Bird's Nest is the story of Elizabeth's mental illness, and examination of how dangerous and scary our minds can be if they betray us. Even the ending (which might appear to be happy to some) is dripping with dread and reminds us how fragile our sanity really is.
It's also a clear example of how versatile Jackson's writing was. More than just a horror writer (and I don't mean that as a slight), Jackson is most importantly the godmother of the sad, messy girl literary fiction books that so many of us devour today. You'll find that here, with The Sundial, and especially with Hangsaman.
This is a dense and slow paced book that demands your attention, so don't approach this thinking it's a fast and easy read. Of her four novels prior to The Haunting of Hill House, The Bird's Nest was actually my least favorite of the bunch, but that's more of a testament to how good the other three books are, and not about anything lacking here.
Please do yourself a favor and work your way through her earlier works!
In the case of Elizabeth Richmond, her unraveling takes the form of four distinct personalities sharing the same headspace that scheme against and sabotage each other, much to the chagrin of her emotionally damaged aunt/caregiver, and her overly confident psychologist. The way her different personalities jockey for power and play her aunt and doctor against each other is equally entertaining and horrifying.
The Bird's Nest is the story of Elizabeth's mental illness, and examination of how dangerous and scary our minds can be if they betray us. Even the ending (which might appear to be happy to some) is dripping with dread and reminds us how fragile our sanity really is.
It's also a clear example of how versatile Jackson's writing was. More than just a horror writer (and I don't mean that as a slight), Jackson is most importantly the godmother of the sad, messy girl literary fiction books that so many of us devour today. You'll find that here, with The Sundial, and especially with Hangsaman.
This is a dense and slow paced book that demands your attention, so don't approach this thinking it's a fast and easy read. Of her four novels prior to The Haunting of Hill House, The Bird's Nest was actually my least favorite of the bunch, but that's more of a testament to how good the other three books are, and not about anything lacking here.
Please do yourself a favor and work your way through her earlier works!