🐦🌱 "The Nature of Small Birds" (2021) 🌱🐦 - Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (July 6, 2021)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800739337

ISBN-13: 978-0800739355

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

 

“In 1975, three thousand children were airlifted out of Saigon to be adopted into Western homes. When Mindy, one of those children, announces her plans to return to Vietnam to find her birth mother, her loving adopted family is suddenly thrown back to the events surrounding her unconventional arrival in their lives.

 

Though her father supports Mindy's desire to meet her family of origin, he struggles privately with an unsettling fear that he'll lose the daughter he's poured his heart into. Mindy's mother undergoes the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the adoption of a child from a war-torn country, discovering the joy hidden amid the difficulties. And Mindy's sister helps her sort through relics that whisper of the effect the trauma of war has had on their family--but also speak of the beauty of overcoming.

 

Told through three strong voices in three compelling timelines, The Nature of Small Birds is a hopeful story that explores the meaning of family far beyond genetic code.”

 

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary copy of the book through the Revell Reads Blogger program. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.

Although I saw her book Stories that Bind Us last year during a promotion, I wasn’t able to get a copy. So, when the chance to review this one came up, I decided to grab it. It was even better since it was the July book for the Beyond the Book read, and it won the Interviews and Reviews Book of the Month award.

 

Needless to say, this was a wonderful introduction to the author’s writing. Though, let me say that the subject material in this book might be triggering to some readers as it deals with some aspects of the Vietnam War. More specifically it deals with Operation Babylift.

 

Operation Babylift was the name given to the mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam to the United States and other countries (including Australia, France, West Germany, and Canada) at the end of the Vietnam War (refer to the Fall of Saigon), on April 3–26, 1975. This was almost a year before I was born.

 

The cover is definitely cutesy and whimsical, and I was trying to place it in the story. Turns out it is more metaphorical than an actual part of the story.

 

This is by no means an easy read; it is emotional and reflective. It is told from the following perspectives in first-person format:

 

Bruce (the dad) – 2013

Sonny (Sondra) – 1988

Linda (the mom) – 1975

 

Since most of the story, and really the basic premise surrounds Mindy (Minh), the little girl adopted from Vietnam, I was surprised that her POV wasn’t shown or given at all. I would’ve loved her perspective from the memories of her adoption to her journey to return to Vietnam to find her family.

 

I really loved the multi-POV, multi-time story arc as I do remember 1988 as well as 2013. I definitely enjoy the glimpse into 1975. The short chapters were a bonus. And, while not a “knock-it-outta-the-park” page-turner, this definitely kept and held my interest. I finished it in a few days.

 

The music and some TV show references were a blast to the past. Some brought back a LOT of memories. One of the TV shows mentioned is “The Cosby Show” with references to OB/GYN doctors. It was, at that time, very informational. However, in light of the recent context and news, it might be offensive to some people.

 

The “slip-time” form could be confusing to some readers. Once I got into the swing of it, it was easy and I knew that they were told each after the other – 2013, 1975, 1988.

 

In addition to the multiple POVs, there are other characters – Hilda, Ivan, Chris, and Dana that add multiple, smaller storylines as well. There is some racism alluded to, but not direct.

 

I’ll admit, while I sympathized with Hilda because of losing her older son Dale to the ground fight in Vietnam, her attitude was off-putting. She often directed, though not overtly, her meanness at Mindy. Hilda wallows in misery throughout the book. And, I honestly couldn’t feel sorry for her. She’s about the worst part of the book to be honest, yet very much realistic.

 

It was nice to see Chris, another brother who’d served, warm up to Mindy. Ivan, Bruce and Chris’ father, was a delight. And, his dedication to Hilda was beautiful despite her nastiness.

 

I would definitely caution readers as this does deal with some anti-war and anti-Vietnam sentiments. Yet, at the heart of this story is a complex family with complex micro-stories, a poignant tale of love and family told with stunning prose, sweet moments, and a dash of humor (had to laugh at the “quiet Prius” remark).  

 

Starting off with Bruce in 2013, the reader sees Bruce with one of his granddaughters when a small bird hits the window. After making sure it isn’t hurt too bad, he helps it recover and it flies off. He’s amazed by the small birds and their nature.

 

Right off, the first chapter tells what is going on in the story and what is soon to come. Bruce is reflecting on being the father of three daughters, Mindy being the middle one. All his grandkids are girls and he wouldn’t change anything. He is still very protective of Mindy. And, since she knows her past, he has to let her go through it.

 

She just doesn’t want her grandmother to know – Hilda isn’t understanding. Bruce even agrees that word and Hilda have nothing in common.  

 

The reader is transported to 1975, through Linda, and as usual – it was a turbulent period: you didn’t talk religion or politics at the table. Yet, somehow, it comes up. It is here that Hilda’s grudge against the Vietnamese shows. Is it understandable? That would depend on which side you’re on.

 

The third chapter begins with Sonny, almost 18, and Mindy. Sonny is recounting her youth growing up with Mindy. Sonny is about to graduate as her mom is having a second baby.

 

Throughout the 2013/2014 timeline, Bruce is mostly reflective. And, his mother’s attitude is still no better than when we meet her in 1975. She even ignores a gift Mindy gave her, and she doesn’t take the news of Mindy’s Vietnam search well either. Hilda’s health is also failing.

 

Bruce and Linda are also navigating changes in their lives as well.

 

Mindy is at times encouraged and discouraged by her search, yet her American family is right there. By the end of the book, that timeline ends abruptly.

 

The 1975 timeline is perhaps one of the more eye-opening parts of the book. This covers Linda’s quest for additional children, how the role of the fall of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) plays a part in the refugee children, and the anti-war sentiment.

 

It is here where the name “Mindy” comes into play. It is Sonny who calls her that. It is here where the family sees the chaos of Mindy’s adoption which might not be legitimate. This is a plot point with 15% of the story remaining. It was interesting because, up to this point, the book sort of spoils itself seeing that the reader gets glimpses of the future in 1988 and 2013. But, it does make the story interesting as it is mentioned, and never brought up again.

 

The 1988 timeline through Sonny’s lens is perhaps more insightful of the two girls’ relationship. This is also Sonny’s graduation, when she meets her future husband, along with the birth of her younger sister.

 

There are key moments in Mindy’s life as well, especially at a bookstore when she is confused for a different ethnicity – she only wants to be American. It is also here where Mindy meets her future husband and there is a bit of a “clairvoyant” moment, and where Sonny makes a promise to Mindy. This is also where the reader learns Sonny’s “real” name.

 

Throughout the book, the author (through Bruce) uses the theme of small birds and their nature. When asked in the discussion questions what message the author was trying to convey, my take is this – small birds need to be taken care of, but they also must fly off and find their own path. They're also delicate and curious, timid, but still strong. The title is noted on pages 114 as well as 323 and is a metaphor.

 

This book was also a missing part of my past – or, at best a reminder. I remember going to malls, though with my mom. I remember my Madonna “True Blue” tape along with other music from that time. I also LOVED Captain & Tennille as my mother played their music. I was 12 at the time, so it was definitely eye-opening. The mention of tuna noodle casserole for dinner was a welcome sight. I don’t know how the writer meant it, to me it is always tuna, noodles, and cheese – oven baked.

 

I’ve also done the Coca-Cola and chocolate bar lunch thing, and it was about 1990 in eighth (8^th) grade which was two (2) years after Sonny’s part. And, I also really miss the Waldenbooks in the mall. Like Mindy, I loved going there to spend my allowance.

 

I can definitely relate to the “trip” Mindy is about to take. In 2014 I took an interesting “plane” ride. I ended up attending a “tribute” dinner to meet some childhood heroes from a TV show that started in 1975.

 

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book and how relevant some of the incidents were to my own life.  

 

This is a standalone read and works very well as one, though I would LOVE to see a follow-up with the results of Mindy’s search as well as her perspective from 1975-2013/2014.

 

Despite being published by a mainly Christian/faith-themed publisher, this was by no means a “Christian” book per se. There were very few references to God, few bible passages. It is definitely a clean read though and definitely a beautiful one at that.

 

While Finkbeiner is a “new-to-me” author, she likely won’t stay that way. I am definitely interested in her past works, and any future ones. Her fans as well as those who enjoy this genre are sure to enjoy this book.

 

 

 

 

 

RATING:

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, and Stories that Bind Us, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the country. She and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.

 

You can also find her on the following social media accounts:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusieFinkbeiner

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susie_finkbeiner/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusieFinkbeiner

 

Website: https://susiefinkbeiner.com

 

 

 

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