Customer Reviews

A Bird in the House

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book. We studied it in school this year and at first I found it a bit slow but after a few pages I started to really get into it. It was easy to identify with the main character Vanessa and I really liked the way the rest of the characters were described, especially the grandfather. Here's a little example; "Well, Peter, you've brought the wood." It was his habit to begin conversations with a statement of the obvious, so that nothing except agreement was possible." I like this because it sums up the grandfather' character in two sentences, even though it's being developped throughout the entire novel. I can't really explain exactly why I enjoyed this book so much, I guess it's because of the subtle humor and the emotion involved. The sad parts are quite moving, and that's difficult to do without making the whole book depressing.

Personally, I feel this book is far from outmoded. It reminded me a lot of my own life, growing up in rural Canada in the 1990s and early twenty-first century. Not to mention the fact that the Great Depression pervades this book, and in 2010 we are just now emerging from an economically devastating recession. For me, "A Bird in the House" hit home. The second time I read it, I was almost crying at the end. Just the thought of so many people dying that you once knew, a house you grew up in, a house that marked you, being lived in by strangers. The book has a very rich subtext, and yet doesn't come across as a pretentious metaphor. It is very real.

this book did not quite meet my expectations like other works written by margaret laurence. it lacked in detail and plot development. i would recommend this book to persons not familiar with ms. laurence's style but to those who are fans of her literature, my advice is to stay away from this one. thanks ms. mackinnon

I have read this book and the very first time, it is true that it gives an impression of overwhelming death and sorrow. The protagonist, Vanessa, comes into contact with life, that is REAL life and she just finds it hard to cope. But it is a story which is just so incredibly true-to-life that any one can identify themselves with the main character. It is only many, many years after that Vanessa understands what had confused her when she was 10 : her grandfather, so much feared and respected, and all the deaths which she had to endure in her family. If you have ever been at that stage, losing some of the people you loved in your heart of hearts, you will understand what Vanessa had to go through and see yourself in her position in front of new things as painful as death. It is not morbid at all, it just shows you that your family is there to help, but that in any case, everything's not hunky-dory!!!

I had to read this book for an english project and I found it slighltly boring. The setting was a little depressing and Vanessa's grandfather was very ingnorant and frustrating. The book was realistic and enjoyable though. Her responces towards the several deaths could have been expressed with a little more sorrow and sadness. Her aunt Adna was a nice uplifting character. Overall the book is good, but not the most exciting. It deals with many deaths in the family and is a good for some one who is dealing with a death.

I think that these short stories are great. I read the book in 11th grade English. I think she is a great writer

This is a book I chose for a Grade 13 English ISU up here in Toronto. This book is in essence, about the developing process of a young female writer, Margaret Laurence, portrayed in this book as Vanessa MacLeod.

I found the story entitled "The Loons" was the most interesting, it dealt the Native Indian issue of segregation and compared it with the crying of the loons.

This book was given to us to read as a part of the Grade 12 English class in Ontario. I wasn't sure I'd like it because short stories are not my favorite kind of story. I was suprised to find that I enjoyed the book. The characters are so real and vivid. Her depitcions and everything about each of them was very good.

The best story is the Half-Husky. It has good description and the plot is very well laid out and developed.

This was an assignment in college. At first did not know how to approch it. I'am glad I kept with it, definatly opened my eyes twords relationships and adults

Why are students constantly subjected to boring narratives about prairie boredom and depression? I live in the prairies and don't see why anyone would want to capture the soul-crushing essence of it all. If you are free reading, pick a book that will improve your state of well being rather than dragging you into the flat quagmire of prairie realism. However, as required reading there are definately worse books that professors could assign you! ie. double hook!