Birds Without Wings
Ratings4
Average rating4.3
15
Ratings4
Average rating4.3
Birds Without Wings is a novel by Louis de Bernières, written in 2004. Narrated by various characters, it tells the tragic love story of Philothei and Ibrahim. It also chronicles the rise of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the 'Father of the Turkish Nation'. The overarching theme of the story covers the impact of religious intolerance, over-zealous nationalism, and the war that often results. The characters are unwittingly caught up in historical tides outside of their control.
The book's title is taken from a saying by one of the characters, Iskander the Potter, "Man is a bird without wings, and a bird is a man without sorrows." The book includes a vivid and detailed description of the horrors of life in the trenches during World War I. Some of the characters are also present in the author's earlier novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Reviews with the most likes.
This is a wonderful, beautiful, and gripping book full of engaging characters and humor and the brilliant language I expect from de Bernieres.
But I can't do it. I'm half way through and given the historical setting, it can't end well and I am simply not in the mood to be haunted for the next six months.
So here is the question: if a book is really, really good, but you know the ending is going to be painful – beautiful and realistic and well done, but painful – is it okay to stop?
