Reviews

The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson

cranberry__sauce's review

3.0

"It is not proven that Elizabeth’s personal equilibrium was set off balance by the slant of the office floor, nor could it be proven that it was Elizabeth who pushed the building off its foundations, but it is undeniable that they began to slip at about the same time."

3.5 stars rounded down

The book focuses on Elizabeth Richmond and her life working at a museum. Eventually, we learn that she is

Spoiler

really four alternate personalities: Elizabeth, the quiet one; Beth, who is sensitive and shy; Betsy, the naughty prankster; and the avaricious Bess, who is "stuck in time"

.

Elements of Shirley Jackson's later work show up here—her ability of suspense shines in the third chapter, when

Spoiler

Betsy runs away from her aunt's home in an attempt to find her mother

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The fifth chapter, the climax, is not very well-written. It's the worst of the book's six chapters. Jackson's writing is also more sloppy than usual: this may be an odd criticism, but semicolons are used constantly; they're in every sentence.

In conclusion, The Bird's Nest is Not the Best Shirley Jackson—certainly not as good as The Haunting of Hill House or We Have Always Lived in the Castle—but it is still Written By Shirley Jackson, and that is enough for me.

rubyhosh's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

3.75

kaylahrodriguez's review

challenging dark lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lalukka's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

mrears0_0's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

getupkid10's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

knitreader's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

smesnake's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lisyda's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book had me constantly feeling like I was in some sort of fever dream. It switches between different POVs (Elizabeth, the doctor, her aunt). Elizabeth's were the most interesting for me, the doctor was too fond of hearing his own opinions and the aunt's chapter was definitely my least fave.

And while the central idea is interesting, this book just didn't really do it for me. It might just be because it's a story that probably had a bigger impact at the time of publishing and my modern senses are just not as easily scandalized.

I had a similar issue with "Haunting" in that I understood the horror elements, they just didn't work for me for that purpose. But I liked that one more than "The Bird's Nest", which had me alternately frustrated, bored, and confused.

I'm still interested in reading "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" one day though as I understand that to be significantly better than her earlier works.

smdorsett's review against another edition

2.75

Really promising premise but rather disappointing. The doctor character was not my idea of heroic in the least--selfish, petty, condescending, and conceited. Disappointed someone as brilliant as Shirley Jackson wrote such a trite ending.