∎ PDF Free The Bird House A Novel Kelly Simmons 9781439160930 Books

The Bird House A Novel Kelly Simmons 9781439160930 Books

Download As PDF : The Bird House A Novel Kelly Simmons 9781439160930 Books

The Bird House A Novel Kelly Simmons 9781439160930 Books

Kelly Simmon's follow-up to her first novel, Standing Still, does not disappoint. In The Birdhouse, the protagonist, Ann is just starting to enjoy her granddaughter, Ellie, daughter of her son, Tom and her daughter-in-law, Tinsley. Ellie's school project is to uncover something special about her family's past and report on it. While Ann starts to pull artifacts from her past for Ellie to review, she is also reminded of her own past indiscretions, past loves, and the mystery of what happened to her daughter, Emma, many years before. As in Simmon's first novel, Standing Still, her uncanny ability to expose the underbelly of motherhood is amazing. Simmons writes about motherhood with such courageous truth, it draws the reader in to a very private, brutally honest world that it makes it hard to put the book down. There is no over-writing here, simply a discipline to the story that uncovers more than just Ann's past life but the present life (and secrets)of her daughter-in-law Tinsley. Ann's self-admitted failing memory and flashbacks of Ann as a young mother only enhance the mystery and suspense of what might happen when the many secrets of this family come to life. The Birdhouse is a thought-provoking and worthwhile read. I'm already looking forward to the next Simmon's novel.


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The Bird House A Novel Kelly Simmons 9781439160930 Books Reviews

In this novel, Kelly Simmons immerses her readers in a world we don't often get to visit the funny, poignant, occasionally delusional but always perceptive musings of an elderly woman. Ann Biddle has a lifetime of memories to unpack, and more immediately, a tricky problem to solve before her family life falls apart. Simmons' prose is lyrical without being overwrought, and the wry voice of her protagonist keeps the reader moving quickly through the pages. Every character and every subplot is informed by a sensitive understanding of human frailty and, just when we need it most, strength.
This is one of those books where I ask myself, "Is it me? Almost all the other reviewers like this book a lot. Am I missing something they saw?" Here are my problems with it. First, the reviews did give me an expectation that this would be a wonderful book, so the fact that I felt it was only "OK" was a letdown. Second, the first chapter sets the reader up to expect some dark revelation and gain of some deep self-awareness by the narrator. I don't think it delivered on that promise. The elements of story are, in my opinion, trite. Once I got far enough into the book to realize it wasn't going to be the book I had thought it would be, I knew all the "secrets" and small awarenesses that the narrator, Ann, would come to. I knew them fairly early into the book, so the rest of the book was simply confirmation. Last, I wanted beautiful prose. Sadly, this book didn't have any. The writing sounded like that of an inexperienced and not very talented writer's. It also sounded like something written for a Young Adult audience, though I cannot see young readers being able to relate to the narrator. I'm not knocking that audience---YAs can be sophisticated readers. I mean that the language seemed consciously geared down to a young reader's level. It's not a book I'd recommend to my reading buddies, and it didn't encourage me to read anything else by the author.
I read this book for my bookclub...the characters were interesting and the story of family secrets weaves it way throughout the book...humor thrown in was enjoyable....probably would not have read this had it not been for the bookclub selection but a nice story of the history and happenings of a family that brought the characters to the present.
Someone recommended this book to me or I never would have picked it up. I am so glad I did. The main character is an older woman, but she is so full of life! Her story, both past and present, is very interesting. Part of the book is about her growing relationship with her young grand daughter, Ellie and it was so beautifully written! I really feel this book is a treasure, and the ending was absolutely perfect. There is a mystery that made me want to keep reading, but I never felt the author was trying to bait me; the resolution was sad but yet the book itself is not sad overall. The voice of this narrator is so unique. I really can't recommend this book too much - it is wonderful.
This is a book about family secrets that have been stashed away for years. As the grandmother begins working on a legacy project with her granddaughter, many secrets are slowly revealed both in the present, the past, and the long ago past. The characters are real and human, although not necessarily likable. There were some very dysfunctional people in this family, but I have to admit, it was a compelling story and I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book to discover the many hidden secrets!
I loved this book. I enjoyed reading about the life of Ann Biddle and all of her relatives. Unlike a previous reviewer who thought Ann should not give her grand daughter forbidden snacks, I disagree. That is what a grand mother does! It is also very interesting when Ann gets involved with her son's marriage... Unknown to him! I loved reading about the life of Ann and wondering what would be next. This is just a great story and worth the 5 stars I gave it.
Kelly Simmons captures with a sincere voice her protagonist Ann, as she emerges from distancing herself from painful memories of past experiences, with the comfort and joy she finds in her growing closeness to her granddaughter. It's a story of how one can find one's self once more even as they age, and in spite of having been sure the stories they've told themselves were accurate. The Bird House is a story of believable characters and left me wondering that if they were real, what they would all do after the last page was read.
Kelly Simmon's follow-up to her first novel, Standing Still, does not disappoint. In The Birdhouse, the protagonist, Ann is just starting to enjoy her granddaughter, Ellie, daughter of her son, Tom and her daughter-in-law, Tinsley. Ellie's school project is to uncover something special about her family's past and report on it. While Ann starts to pull artifacts from her past for Ellie to review, she is also reminded of her own past indiscretions, past loves, and the mystery of what happened to her daughter, Emma, many years before. As in Simmon's first novel, Standing Still, her uncanny ability to expose the underbelly of motherhood is amazing. Simmons writes about motherhood with such courageous truth, it draws the reader in to a very private, brutally honest world that it makes it hard to put the book down. There is no over-writing here, simply a discipline to the story that uncovers more than just Ann's past life but the present life (and secrets)of her daughter-in-law Tinsley. Ann's self-admitted failing memory and flashbacks of Ann as a young mother only enhance the mystery and suspense of what might happen when the many secrets of this family come to life. The Birdhouse is a thought-provoking and worthwhile read. I'm already looking forward to the next Simmon's novel.