The Night Birds by Thomas Maltman is a 2008 Alex Award winner.
If you've read this book, please leave a comment with your review of it and whether you think other readers are likely to find it engaging (do you think they’d be eager to finish it and perhaps start reading another book when they are done). If you recommend the book, please also state any themes or topics that would be good for discussion. Thanks.
2 comments:
“…the night birds, der nacht vogel, birds that led humans out of sorrow.”
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which discussed life in the perspective of both Native Americans and European immigrants during this country’s early years of turmoil. In occupying such a close proximity the groups were bound to intermingle. Unfortunately, stereotypes have the ability to influence hatred without providing a reason to loathe the particular person. The fear held for those who were different but also an overcoming curiosity was painted in detail. The war context enabled the author to demonstrate how similar people are; each group was struggling to survive at any cost. This book has everything: interracial love, suffering, burdensome relatives, war, sex, murder, folklore, and “magic,” even an appearance by Jesse James. I actually had a hard time putting it down. More than a coming of age, it was about Asa discovering how he was intertwined with history. Listening to a story of the repeated traumatic events that happened to his family, Asa’s own future unfolds.
~SJSU Student
I read the first few chapters of the book, so my comments are limited. It didn't pique my interest initially, but as I read more the story became more interesting. However, I also got the feeling that the narrative was going to be a bit predictable.
I like it, but will SJSU students, faculty & staff? It's rather long.
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