One spring day in New York City, five-year-old Pigeon’s father disappears, leaving her to face a new and bewildering life with her mother and older siblings in an uncle’s house on the Jersey shore.“Our mother named her children after birds” – so begins a now grown up Pigeon as she describes the tumultuous events of this pivotal childhood summer with her brother Robin, and her older sister Dove. In the heat and unfamiliarity of a beach town near Atlantic City, each member of her family looks for a caretaker of some kind—Robin in a fortune teller, Dove in older lovers, her Uncle Edward in the feckless owner of a diner, and her mother Joan in a religious cult. All the while, Pigeon, the youngest, searches for her father, believing he will return to the family to care for her. Through the course of the summer, Pigeon comes to the realization that, in spite of disappointments and grief, she has become quite capable of looking after herself. And through the course of narrating this story, the grown-up Pigeon comes to the further realization that she is willing finally to trust in love.
When I was offered this book as part of a TLC Tour, I thought it sounded very interesting. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters or the story. It may have just been the wrong time for me and this book to come together.
The first page introduces us to a grown-up Pigeon who is beset with moodiness and bad memories. Her live-in boyfriend encourages her to seek counseling, which she resists, but she does succumb to his suggestion to write down the events of that summer before she turned six. That is the summer that troubles her even after 20+ years. The book is told from the voice of 5-yo Pigeon with some insights thrown in from the grown-up Pigeon.
I didn't feel like the events of that summer were impressively traumatic to cause Pigeon such unrest for that many years afterwards. She seemed like such a independent child and so resourceful in entertaining and taking care of herself that I would think she could have healed better than she did.
As a reader of mysteries and thrillers this book seemed quite uneventful. I expected something more to happen and was disappointed that it didn't. All that said, I think this book will appeal to many so I'm offering my copy in a
GIVEAWAY!
Be forewarned - the title page has a little water damage, but the outside covers are in great shape.
To enter:
- Leave a comment with your email - encode it something like this: booklogged at gmail dot com
11 comments:
It's interesting to me that people experience things differently. That two kids can experience essentially the same childhood (same parents, same house, etc), and turn out completely different.
Anyway, I'm sorry this book didn't work for you, but thank you for being on the tour!
I'm not up for any childhood angst so I'll pass on the drawing. No room for it anyway. But nice review.
The premise of this book actually sounds interesting to me. If not, I'll pass it on to a friend...but I'd like to give it a try.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Dear Margie,
I hope you will give my book, Looking After Pigeon, a try. No book is for everyone, but if you enjoy books about family dynamics, memory, and loss, then you might like it. Although from the description, it might sound depressing, there is actually a fair bit of humor in the book (just as there is even in dark times in life).
If you do read the book, I hope you will write comments. I love to hear from readers!
Maud
Sorry that you had a hard time with the book. I liked it well enough, but had a little difficulty with the narrative voice. Very thoughtful review.
It's amazing how sometimes you can be in the right frame of mind to read something and other days..it just doesn't click. I think you wrote a great review and as always I appreciate the honesty with which you expressed your thoughts on this one.
I read a good review for this, so I think I'll give it a try (whether I win a copy here or buy my own). Throw my name in the hat, Booklogged! Sorry it didn't knock your socks off. I've had a few of those lately.
Memoirs are one of my favorite genres to read. This book sounds interesting to me and I would love a chance to win it.
Thanks
sharon54220@gmail.com
Please enter me in this book giveaway. Thanks!
Suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win this book. Please enter me in the giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah Emmerson
Congratulations Les on winning in the drawing.
To those who didn't win-- I still hope you will "try" my novel, Looking After Pigeon. Hopefully you can find it at your local library or online.
I truly love hearing from readers-- and though the book does touch on a lot of emotionally charged themes, I believe it is ultimately very hopeful, as am I.
Maud
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