Other Birds

A Novel

By: Sarah Addison Allen

Narrated by: Siiri Scott

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

From the acclaimed author of Garden Spells comes a tale of lost souls, secrets that shape us, and how the right flock can guide you home.

Down a narrow alley in the small coastal town of Mallow Island, South Carolina, lies a stunning cobblestone building comprised of five apartments. It's called The Dellawisp and it's named after the tiny turquoise birds who, alongside its human tenants, inhabit an air of magical secrecy.

When Zoey Hennessey comes to claim her deceased mother's apartment at The Dellawisp, she meets her quirky, enigmatic neighbors including a girl on the run, a grieving chef whose comfort food does not comfort him, two estranged middle-aged sisters, and three ghosts. Each with their own story. Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn't yet written.

When one of her new neighbors dies under odd circumstances the night Zoey arrives, she's thrust into the mystery of The Dellawisp, which involves missing pages from a legendary writer whose work might be hidden there. She soon discovers that many unfinished stories permeate the place, and the people around her are in as much need of healing from wrongs of the past as she is. To find their way they have to learn how to trust each other, confront their deepest fears, and let go of what haunts them.

Delightful and atmospheric, Other Birds is filled with magical realism and moments of pure love that won't let you go. Sarah Addison Allen shows us that between the real and the imaginary, there are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways.

©2022 Sarah Addison Allen (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The wistful sweetness in Siiri Scott's narration perfectly complements the small-town South Carolina setting of this audiobook.… Scott movingly depicts each character's hesitant yet hopeful path to friendship and, in some cases, romance. Scott employs light accents and adeptly softens her tone or deepens her pitch to portray every character—male or female, young or old, local resident or transplant.… Scott creates an absorbing, atmospheric listening experience.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Siiri Scott's engaging narration accompanies listeners as the story moves from past to present, revealing the residents' backstories and introducing ghosts, both symbolic and literal.… Scott sensitively takes listeners through the twists and turns in each resident's story, ending on a hopeful note. With ghosts that are comforting rather than frightening, this story, gently laced with magical realism, weaves a charming spell. With its underlying theme of resilience and growth, Allen's (First Frost) latest will have wide appeal. A great match for book clubs.”—Library Journal (starred review)

"The biggest challenge for the reader is to try to not turn the pages so quickly in order to extend the fun. ... An outstanding reading experience. Readers who enjoy a Southern story, a touch of the unexplained, and works by Fannie Flagg and Karen White will all be delighted by this novel."—Booklist (starred review)

Beautifully Written

Although this is not my usual genre, found this to be a very charming book. It was full of life lessons and transformative characters. Excellent narration.

Take me there!

Well, now I want to live on Mallow Island! I want to live among these sweet gathering of misfits and feel that kind of acceptance, as well. This is a lovely story of the coming together of uniquely broken people, who don’t seek to be whole but to know their broken bits are okay. I love the realness of that.

Light and happy

4.5 stars. This story of friendship was a fun, happy read laced with surprises and peppered with magic.

Love Sarah Addison Allen!

There are always magical & mystical characters in Sarah Addison Allen's stories. They make you want to believe! She never disappoints! Read this one & then go back & read all of her others. You will not regret it!

Light and magical

Enjoyable story with a dash of the mystical. Full of a life that only believers will recognize.

A Magical Story!

One of my very favorite authors and a book that I’ll listen to many times. I loved the setting, characters and their stories. It’s a wonderful book!

Wonderful

Started a little slow, but once I got into to it. I loved every second. Wonderful story and characters. The end was as if I lost some good friends. I hope there is a sequel.

Really sweet

I didn't love the narrator of this book. I was really confused about where the location actually was. her accent sounded deep south to me, but it took place laced much further north.
The story itself was great. It admittedly took me a bit to get into it, but overall, I enjoyed it. I still do have some questions.... I thought it would tie together a bit more at the end.

Fun story, terrible southern dialect

I enjoyed the story, probably should have read the book instead of listening to it. The narrator’s very poor attempt at southern dialect is a cringeworthy attempt and often insulting to true Southern-speaking ears.

Storytelling

Loved this book so much. The character development was excellent. It was a sweet story, but also clever and smart and deep in moments. For me, it is the perfect read.