• The Bird Hotel

  • A Novel
  • By: Joyce Maynard
  • Narrated by: Joyce Maynard
  • Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (244 ratings)

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The Bird Hotel  By  cover art

The Bird Hotel

By: Joyce Maynard
Narrated by: Joyce Maynard
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Publisher's summary

Enter the magical world of La Llorona with New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard.

After a childhood filled with heartbreak, Irene, a talented artist, finds herself in a small Central American village where she checks into a beautiful but decaying lakefront hotel called La Llorona at the base of a volcano.

The Bird Hotel tells the story of this young American who, after suffering tragedy, restores and runs La Llorona. Along the way we meet a rich assortment of characters who live in the village or come to stay at the hotel. With a mystery at its center and filled with warmth, drama, romance, humor, pop culture, and a little magical realism, The Bird Hotel has all the hallmarks of a Joyce Maynard novel that have made her a leading voice of her generation.

The Bird Hotel is a big, sweeping story spanning four decades, offering lyricism as well as whimsy. While the world New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard brings to life is rendered from her imagination, it’s one informed by the more than 20 years of which she has spent a significant amount of her time in a small Mayan indigenous village in Guatemala.

As the New York Times said, "[Maynard] has an unswerving eye, a sharply perked ear, and the ability to keep her readers hanging on her words." People Magazine said of her: "Maynard’s spare prose packs a rich emotional punch.”

©2023 Joyce Maynard (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Bird Hotel

Average customer ratings
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Review of ‘The Bird Hotel’.

What a wonderful story of love lost, emotional trauma, emotional growth, and forgiveness. The setting, in a. Small village in Central America, was so well described that I might have been there myself. The story is narrated by the author and was sooo well done. Just terrific.

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Loved this book!

Beautiful,magical story, writing and characters! I was transported to this very special paradise! Loved this book!

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A most beautiful story.

The author has created a world
that we would all want to share
A piece of. The book is filled
with many imaginative characters,
all so interesting to read about.
It will always be one of my most
best loved books.

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very real, unusual work of fiction

although it was dark in the beginning, I stayed with it long enough to find the light and then was hooked. a very good listen.

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I loved this book

Once I started listening to this book, I could not stop. The writing is gorgeous. There are many stories and characters in this book and they are all beautifully told. I will definitely listen to this again.

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Couldn’t have loved this more!

Loved everything about this story. The visuals were bright as day. Loved that Joyce Maynard narrated. I believe when the author does, one gets a richer experience. Enjoyed from page one to the very last!

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Great story

Truly enjoyed the story and the presentation. Easy to listen to, kept my interest the whole time

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My favorite 2023 read!

Don’t hesitate to pick up this exquisite story of joy, sorrow and nature told by Joyce Maynard. Possibly her finest

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Intriguing read

I enjoyed the book and narration. The story flows well and you grow to love the characters

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I loved this book

I loved this magical story of personal loss, fear of love, holding onto pain, and letting go.

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