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aliaspaine's review against another edition
3.0
I'm going to be blunt: I really, really hope Claire has a miserable life - one all alone, in her little fantasy world. What a sick, sick woman. I don't think she is capable of loving anyone, honestly. And Charlie? He's a brainless tool and I hope he regrets ever meeting Claire, let alone leaving his wife and kids. I can only hope Alison moves on to someone 1000x better and never allows Claire around her children, especially as long as she is stringing Charlie along by his leash. Yes - I, obviously, cannot stand a home-wrecker!
breerw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
2.0
I hate these characters with a passion.
anniewill's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this novel. Although it had a depressing take on suburban marriage- actually marriage in general- it was quite hopeful in the end. Or maybe I was just hopeful!
Although I've seen some characterize this as "chick lit", or technically "hen lit"; it is so much better written than the other chick lit novels I've read this summer. I found it to be smartly written with the back story told in an interesting way.
Although I've seen some characterize this as "chick lit", or technically "hen lit"; it is so much better written than the other chick lit novels I've read this summer. I found it to be smartly written with the back story told in an interesting way.
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Alison is driving home from an event and although didn't cause an accident was involved and a child dies, this accident sets off a series of events that will forever change her life. The concept of small incidents changing a person's path is very interesting to me and this aspect of the book completely kept me reading.
One thing that I loved about this book was the ability to read from everyone's perspective, although it was hurtful to read from those who were living beyond their marriages it was interesting to read their viewpoints.
Alison is driving home from an event and although didn't cause an accident was involved and a child dies, this accident sets off a series of events that will forever change her life. The concept of small incidents changing a person's path is very interesting to me and this aspect of the book completely kept me reading.
One thing that I loved about this book was the ability to read from everyone's perspective, although it was hurtful to read from those who were living beyond their marriages it was interesting to read their viewpoints.
karieh13's review against another edition
3.0
It’s difficult for me to enjoy a book in which there is not one character that I can identify with, or like, or even love to dislike. “Bird in Hand” is one of these types of books. The four main characters: Charlie, Claire, Ben and Alison are four people who hold almost no interest for me. Two come across the page as incredibly self centered and self absorbed and two almost seem so weak as to be pitied.
I thought this book would be a realistic portrait of the difficulties of marriage, especially when a major life event occurs, in this case, a tragic accident. And there are teasers that the book will be that way.
“A marriage hinges on these moments. Does she answer or does she lie still? All Alison could feel was an overwhelming dread. She did not want to know what he had to say. She remained quiet; the moment passed, and she drifted into sleep.”
But instead, the accident almost becomes a side note as we learn how unhappy these four people are with the lives they have chosen. Well, at least two of them have chosen, the other two end up seeming a bit like pawns as friendships and marriages are established.
“And as he sat in the dank common room, chatting with the Argentinean, feeling the vibration against the ceiling, he understood that the only way they might continue like this, together, was to make this group of three a four.”
This is how Charlie, enamored of the new couple he’s met (Claire and Ben) decides that he should get partner up – with whom remains to be seen. In college, Claire picks Ben to marry, causing Charlie to pick someone, who turns out to be Alison, to marry so that they can be a foursome. Claire and Charlie make the choices, Ben and Alison accept those choices.
The tragic incident at the beginning of this book really sums up the whole theme. Alison is involved in a car accident that isn’t really her fault. The other people involved made bad choices and the accident occurred because Alison didn’t get out of the way. Her marriage is much like that – she chooses very little in her life, she just happens to be in the right/wrong place at the right time and then events take place with her in them.
“It was real life, the way things should be, and even as it was happening it felt to Alison like a distant memory, the moment already slipping into the past.”
I would agree with the book jacket on my copy that author Christina Baker Kline has explored how people tell the stories of their lives and what those stories reveal about who they are. I think the writing of “Bird in Hand” was well done and the characters are well drawn – the drawings just happen to be of people that I wouldn’t care to spend much time with.
I thought this book would be a realistic portrait of the difficulties of marriage, especially when a major life event occurs, in this case, a tragic accident. And there are teasers that the book will be that way.
“A marriage hinges on these moments. Does she answer or does she lie still? All Alison could feel was an overwhelming dread. She did not want to know what he had to say. She remained quiet; the moment passed, and she drifted into sleep.”
But instead, the accident almost becomes a side note as we learn how unhappy these four people are with the lives they have chosen. Well, at least two of them have chosen, the other two end up seeming a bit like pawns as friendships and marriages are established.
“And as he sat in the dank common room, chatting with the Argentinean, feeling the vibration against the ceiling, he understood that the only way they might continue like this, together, was to make this group of three a four.”
This is how Charlie, enamored of the new couple he’s met (Claire and Ben) decides that he should get partner up – with whom remains to be seen. In college, Claire picks Ben to marry, causing Charlie to pick someone, who turns out to be Alison, to marry so that they can be a foursome. Claire and Charlie make the choices, Ben and Alison accept those choices.
The tragic incident at the beginning of this book really sums up the whole theme. Alison is involved in a car accident that isn’t really her fault. The other people involved made bad choices and the accident occurred because Alison didn’t get out of the way. Her marriage is much like that – she chooses very little in her life, she just happens to be in the right/wrong place at the right time and then events take place with her in them.
“It was real life, the way things should be, and even as it was happening it felt to Alison like a distant memory, the moment already slipping into the past.”
I would agree with the book jacket on my copy that author Christina Baker Kline has explored how people tell the stories of their lives and what those stories reveal about who they are. I think the writing of “Bird in Hand” was well done and the characters are well drawn – the drawings just happen to be of people that I wouldn’t care to spend much time with.
erinrosalee's review
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
nursenell's review against another edition
2.0
If I had known this book was about infidelity I would not have read it. The two cheaters were very predictable, right out of the cheaters handbook. Both were pretty unlikeable, especially Claire, the narcissistic writer. She and Charlie deserve one another. If the author were to write a sequel they no doubt would be apart.
tomaind's review against another edition
3.0
Another one of those books that makes it very difficult to like some of the characters. I really could not stand Claire or Charlie, two very self centered people. I enjoyed the author's book "Orphan Train" much more.
dl2000's review against another edition
2.0
So disappointing - I just could not feel for any of the characters.