The Gravity of Birds

A Novel

De: Tracy Guzeman

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

A debut novel already destined to be a book club favorite. “With its deft interweaving of psychological complexity and riveting narrative momentum, with its gorgeous prose and poetic justice, The Gravity of Birds is about sibling rivalry, tragedies, and resurrections. And it’s irresistibly exquisite” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Forty-four years after the brilliant young painter, Thomas Bayber, first meets Alice and Natalie Kessler, Bayber unveils a never-before-seen work, Kessler Sisters—a provocative painting depicting the young Thomas, Alice, and Natalie. Bayber asks Dennis Finch, an art history professor, and Stephen Jameson, an eccentric young art authenticator, to sell the painting. But their task becomes more complicated when the artist requires that they first locate Alice and Natalie, who seem to have disappeared.

Told in alternating chapters that weave revelations about the sisters’ past with clues Finch and Jameson discover in the present, this story sets three characters on a collision course with their histories, showing how families tear themselves apart and then try to bind themselves together again, not always creating the same fabric. The Gravity of Birds “combines the drama of warring sisters, the mystery of a missing painting, and the sorrow of lost love into a haunting elegy that will…leave you breathless” (Tiffany Baker, author of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County).

Not for me

I just could not get into this book. I have no idea why, it just wasn’t for me

Beginning to end

it captured & held my attention. Hated to turn it off. A must read! Enjoyed it thoroughly!

Beautiful Prose With Plot Problems

Guzeman's writing was lyrical, Cassandra Campbell's narration was lovely, and the plot was interesting. But this novel was very depressing...a treatise on how one woman's evil destroyed the lives around her. There was great inconsistency and naivete in the actions of the characters which made the story seem less believable. I think a better editor could have taken this novel to the next level.

Haunting Long After You've Finished.

This is one of those mesmerizing novels that pulls you in from the beginning, leaving you repeatedly dumbstruck throughout asking yourself, “Why isn’t this on every best book list out there?” Tracy Guzeman’s The Gravity of Birds is part mystery, part psychological drama, part coming of age story while telling several love stories. I think at one point in there, there was even a recipe given.

Two adolescent sisters of the 70’s encounter a neighboring artist at the time of their awaking sexuality. This chance exposure has lifelong effects on each of their lives and relationships. Forty-four years later, when an undiscovered portrait of them is unveiled, a cross country journey brings all the pieces and secrets of their journeys together. The ones that at first seem so strong turn out to be the most fragile. There are so many, “Man, I didn’t see that coming” moments in this book and just when you think you have it figured out – there’s one more.

Tracy Guzeman’s debut novel is layered with well-defined characters in a plot so expertly interwoven that frankly I can’t think of a single point where a single thread is out of place. It’s a tight novel lyrically, if not poetically, written. I know in my mind’s eye exactly how each every priceless canvas, figurine and sculpture mention looks through the gracefully descriptive words of the author alone.

Cassandra Campbell never disappoints – always a great narration.


It’s just lovely in every way.

The best story I’ve ever read!

No joke! I wish they’d make this into a movie! It twist and turns with electric prose that leaves you excited for every chapter! Guzeman is a genius with her misdirection! There’s something in this story for everyone. It’s rich with imagery and just a touch of magical realism but without any hocus pocus.. just the kind that makes the world a small place for each character!

I listened to the audible and now I have to read this in print! Wow!

Very Pretty but Left Me Wanting

There was so much I enjoyed about this novel, the prose, the characters, the story concept, the build up. But even though there was obviously a great story to be told, I was left feeling flat. I don't want to give anything away because like I said the concept was excellent but the story in the end just didn't deliver for me. These people did vile, despicable, horrible things to each other but there was not true explanation to the why's and the hows. And the climax of the story? Was completely anticlimactic because for some reason, none of the surviving characters could bring themselves to show they cared one way or the other. I've never met a bigger group of dispassionate people in my life. I suspect the author shied away form the natural intense emotion expected and instead relied on birdwatching archetypes and milquetoast characters.
I mean seriously, there's this BIG, HUGE revelation that should have blown the roof off the entire novel and all of the characters involved are like, "Ho hum, who cares, let's have lunch."
It was a wholly unsatisfying experience. I found that unfortunate because I really, really wanted to like this book.

One Of Five Best Books Ever

Amazing, heartfelt novel . Love , jealously , loss , revenge & healing . Love this & highly recommend it . Hope it has a sequel .

Thoroughly enjoyed

This is a carefully crafted novel whose plot has been summarized in many reviews on Amazon. The story is compelling and the narrator excellent. Well worth a listen.

Great story

It took me a while to get into the story (why only 4 stars overall), but once I did I loved it. The story and the characters develop layer by layer until fully revealed. Very satisfying.

Not good

This book promised to be a story of feuding sisters, loss and art. What I got was loose ends and too many useless descriptions. I can see how some people can enjoy this book but I was just not one of them.