by Linda Quennec, Book 7 of 2021
“The only literature worth reading is the kind that comes close to killing you a bit at a time. The kind that tells the truth. Life is a marriage of pain and happiness together they make joy, if you can see it.”
Linda Quennec, Fishing for Birds
I wholeheartedly agree with the quote above and found that in most ways this novel fits the description. Each of the three narrators provide insight into both universal pains felt by all people and the specific pains each woman feels at different phases of life in a way that made me question how I see my own life and the roles others play in it. I would highly recommend this book and don’t want to spoil it for anyone.
P.S. I want to be Ivy when I grow up
Other thoughts about this book:
Things I love: Everything listed above and… that the book took place only on islands and the unique challenges and supports of being enclosed in a community. I loved the Canadian accent of the narrator and northern culture that was highlighted, it felt familiar and authentic to me (living in Northeast Wisconsin). I loved the historical and natural details and research that went into the writing.
A few things I didn’t love: Some of the chapters felt a bit unnecessary to me. Though the prose was enjoyable and I enjoyed the description of island life.
Recommended for: Pretty much and person who identifies as a woman. It was an engaging and accessible read that I feel like would speak to different women in different ways at different points in life. Would make a great book club read!
Content Warnings (may contain spoilers): Adoption, Death of a Spouse, Death, Familial Conflict