Book Club Reads THE BIRD HOTEL by Joyce Maynard
Everyone in our group loved this novel that takes place in a fictionalized Central American town. Loaded with explosively visual imagery including a volcano, its eruption, and a cast of engaging characters, we all agreed it’s a winner. We enjoyed the nostalgia from the rebellious 1960s, and the novel’s situations made us feel a mix of dread and danger, both realism and magic realism.
Starting out with multiple tragedies leading to a lifelong secret, the setup made some of us feel the opening is slow. At first, it reads like a memoir. However, early on, a hippie bus ride turns the plot around and the first-person narrative springs to life.
The Bird Hotel is full of charlatans, betrayals, disasters, art, wildlife, and the disconnections between biological mothers and their children. It becomes a tale of enduring love through the test of time.
Here are some comments on this book: “Juxtaposition of danger, mayhap, and beauty,” “Good pacing,” “Kept me guessing,” “Crisp, clearcut imagery,” that “All the women came out stronger in the end after all they’d been through,” and “I’ll want to read more Joyce Maynard books.”
Next time, we’re reading the first volume of Bridgerton—better known for the steamy Netflix romantic dramedy. We don’t often do this genre or begin a series, but felt like we needed “fluff” for uplifting our spirits. It may not work.
Beth Buechler
Community Contributor
Federation Book Club meets via Zoom at 4 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Contact info@thejewishfed.org with “Book Club” in the subject to get involved.
Upcoming Book Discussions:
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
May 8: Bridgerton (The Duke & I) by Julia Quinn
June 12: Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Vrunt
July 10: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
August 14: The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes
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