An much anticipated compilation of stories—a total of twelve—written by one of today's most innovative authors, the celebrated author of Self-Help and Who Will Run the Frog Hospital? Narratives that are notable for their emotional depth, breadth, and dark humor, as well as for the elegance and potency of their language.
Birds of America begins with the story "Willing," which tells the tale of a thirty-something movie actress who is back in Chicago and has become involved with a mechanic who doesn't know who she is as a person. From there, the series paints a startlingly brilliant picture of our country's lost, disturbed, and insane citizens.
A lady who has just split from her husband is traveling around Ireland with her mother on a meticulously planned journey, as described in the narrative "Which Is More Than I Can Say About Some People" ("There is nothing as complex in the world--no flower or stone--as a single hello from a human being"). Her mother's façade of prosperity and wisdom crumbles as they go on a mission to kiss the Blarney Stone, exposing the anxious person behind it all.
In "Charades," a Christmastime family game turns into a witty, perceptive, and very disturbing exposé of deteriorating family bonds.
In "Community Life," a meek, somewhat reclusive librarian from Vermont raised in Transylvania moves in with her lover, the town anarchist, and chaos ensues. In addition, the friends of the lady in "Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens," who experiences the phases of grief after losing her cat (Anger, Denial, Bargaining, Haagen Dazs, Rage), believe that she is grieving for other reasons, such as the approaching death of her parents, Bosnia, and the son she never had.
With all the humor, brio, and energy that have made Lorrie Moore one of the greatest storytellers of our time, she explores the personal and the universal, the quirky and the everyday, in what may be her most beautiful work to date.
Willing, which is better than I can say about some individuals.
American dance, community life, Agnes of Iowa, and charades
Three French hens and four calling birds
Gorgeous grade --
It's good what you want to do: real estate
The only people here are such kinds of people -- horrible mother