When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice

This book is very strange. Not my cup of tea and I couldn't wait for it to be over, but in a weird way I appreciate it and am glad that I read it. After discussing and reflecting on it, I appreciate the layers and complexity even more, even though I'm frustrated that it feels like there's a lot I'm missing over my head.

This is not a light or fast read but what a beautiful, interesting journey. The swirling prose describing self-discovery, love, and loss are dense and enthralling. The defiant feminist fire lit in the first half ceded to quiet strength and acceptance and celebration of self in the second half. The imagery is as flighty as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl but the emotional bread crumbs left along the way kept me engaged. I wanted triumph for the author, I wanted a lot of things, but I didn't get them all and that's okay.