AD- This book was sent to me to review, All views are my own.
I was approached by Author Steve Gay to review his new book, The Birds that do not sing. It sounded like the perfect book for someone with a keen interest in the second World War. I’ve always found that era really interesting. Little did I know what I was actually about to read was a story of love and loss.
It’s Blogmas day 4 and Grief awareness week, this book would make both a fantastic Christmas gift but also covers the subject of grief. Not that you are aware of that initially, a subtle nod to deep rooted grief.
The Birds that do not sing by Steve Gay
November 1940: Britain stands alone
That autumn day changes everything for ten-year-old Jimmy. Coventry is smouldering on the horizon, neighbours are missing and faces are grim all around. It is the day when family and community collides, a time of confusion and recrimination, of choices that will echo for a lifetime.
Jimmy Brown plays in the park on Sundays whatever anyone says. His family has a reputation, his father a militant socialist who makes surgical boots in his shed, his sister struggling with polio as she distributes pacifist leaflets, and his brother refusing to fight for his country. When the Luftwaffe comes and public opinion shifts to embrace the war effort, social expectation and conflicting loyalties send Jimmy down a fateful path.
Just before this book arrived, we’d watched the One night in November. A play we streamed at home that focuses on the night of the Coventry Blitz. I think I was hoping that this book would offer a real insight in to that time.
Initially. I was disappointed by the lack of WWII action. As I read on, what unfolded was something deeper and more thought provoking.
A story of love and loss, the war and moving forward
What the author achieves in this book is something a lot of people who’ve felt great loss can relate to. The book tells the story of Jim. We follow him as he shares his story with journalist Harry.
It’s clear that Jim has been heavily affected by the experiences of his childhood. We follow his journey to discover what this trauma is and why it has such a hold on him.
I don’t want to give to much away of course but this book spoke to me on so many levels. I felt the pain and the confusion that Jim was feeling throughout. From the Elephant his Father created communicating to him, to the unwillingness to open up. The elephant is central to the story, trying tirelessly to get Jim to work through his emotions. Yes! A talking elephant.
What made this book really special for me was the fact it was based in my home town. Learning about the impact the war had on my little town and how much things have changed was fascinating.
Final thoughts
The book is so well written, so much so it is one of the best I’ve read this year! And just a weird little add on for you… The book felt lovely. See told you it was weird! I’m clearly more tactile than I realised. As a result, it really added to the pleasurable reading experience! It did take a while to read but once I saw the direction it was heading in, I couldn’t put it down.
If you’d like to get your hands on this amazing read, you can get your copy of The birds that do not sing* on Amazon.
I’d recommend this to anyone that enjoys a history twist to a fiction story, definitely a 5* read in my view.
Do you enjoy books about the second World War? Would you give this book a try?
You’ve written such a great review. This book sounds like something I’d enjoy reading. I love reading about the second world war too.
I have read a few of the world war ones you’ve recommended actually x
I’m not really a fan of war stories lol but I must say that this is an amazing review and yea I’ll give the book a try. 💖💖
Thank you Ruth x x
It really does sound like a lovely book to read. Maybe something good for my daughter who is studying WW2 at school?
It’s not very heavy on the war if I’m honest, it’s almost secondary to the story, but it’s a lovely book x
Hi Sabrina – I had in mind that the story could be read by young adults as well as a reading group audience. It is not so much a story about the war, as the political and social issues connected with it and the realities of life in wartime – providing a child’s perspective on the events of 1940. I hope you enjoy it, and let me know if you or your daughter would like the accompanying discussion questions.: http://www.rookabbeypress.com
What a rave review! High praise.
You know what I don’t think I’ve read many books about the second world war. Apart from The Book Thief and Prisoner of Night and Fog. This is really apt for grief awareness week as well considering how much grief people experienced from the war. Great review! xxx
Thank you Jenny. I really got in to it but probably on another level than maybe I was supposed to. Maybe I am just hyper-sensitive to grief x
I loved reading this review Claire, this sounds like a really great read and I like it raises awareness of grief, especially from the second world war when grief was a recurring thing to happen to people during that time x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
We will never really understand what a difficult time that was I guess. It was a great book x
What a lovely review, Claire. I read a lot of WW1 and WW2 history books as well so this sounds like one I need to add to my wishlist. Also, I’m completely with you on the “feel” – this is partly why I always read a paperback and I don’t use a Kindle or any other e-reader 🙂
Yes! I can’t imagine ever having a kindle, I just love the feel of a book, and don’t get me started on the smell of a new book x x
Sounds like a great book. Will have to show this post to my Sister as this sort of read is right up her street.
I hope she enjoys it x x
Love this review! I’ve found another read during lockdown! thank you 🙂
Lockdown has been all about reading for me, I hope you enjoy it x
Sounds like a great book if it was the best you read all year!! I’m reading one right now set in the past too…really good x
I think I will definitely be picking up some more historical books in future after reading this x
This book sounds really great, one that I must pick up. And it has such a beautiful cover too
The cover is lovely, I was really impressed when I saw it x
Such a brilliant review, I’ll have to give this a read xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
Thank you Della x x
This sounds like a really interesting book, I always find it fascinating as well when I read things set in the local area too.
That sounds like a great book. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
It sounds like an emotional book if it reached you on so many levels, I’m glad that your initial disappointment faded x
Sounds like an incredible book, definitely an interesting time during the wall and I have read a few like these.
I always pick 5 books to purchase for myself over the Christmas holidays and this book does seem thought provoking enough to add to my list especially after reading your review of it
This sounds like a beautiful book. I like books set in the wartime so I am definitely going to give this a read.
I love to read and always like hearing people’s take on authors and books. I don’t particularly enjoy this type of book but have a friend who loves it who would enjoy receiving this for the holidays.
This sounds like a beautiful book and how special that it is based in your hometown. This is definitely the sort of book I’d enjoy.
Oh wow, this sounds super interesting and I would be interested in giving it a read!
Amber | The Unpredicted Page
Great review, lovely to hear you’ve found a new favourite! I don’t read too many books about either of the world wars, so this is definitely one to look into.
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
What a fab review!! I need to buy some more books, a gift from me to me, for Christmas so I will add this to my list x
I have treated myself to quite a few books for Christmas x x
Great to hear that it is the best you’ve read this year, will add it to my reading list
I hope you enjoy Kara x x
This sounds like an amazing book. At first, I thought it would be really sad but it sounds interesting!
It was really interesting and it did bring a tear or two to my eyes x
This sounds like an interesting and well written book. I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. I need to get some horrors in to read for the Christmas break.
I can’t wait to make some proper reading time over the holidays x
I enjoy reading books set during the Second World War, this sounds like a really good read.
I think you’ll enjoy this then x x
This is such a great review and you can really tell how much you enjoyed the book too. It sounds like a fantastic read and very emotional too!
It is not often I cry reading a book but this one really did get me x
Great detailed review without giving too much away. Love the sound of the story, will be adding it to my book bucket list. The cover really draws me in too.
Thank you, I’m glad you’d like to give it a go x
Thank you Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy it x
Love the sound of this book and I think I’ll
Add it onto my Amazon wish list 🙂
Oh fab, enjoy Kira x
I don’t really like reading about wars but I’ve been to Coventry and it sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy. Thanks for sharing