Status
Available
Call number
Original publication date
2022
Publication
St. Martin's Press (2022), 304 pages
Description
"From the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells comes an enchanting tale filled with magical realism and moments of pure love that won't let you go. Between the real and the imaginary, there are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways. Right off the coast of South Carolina, on Mallow Island, The Dellawisp sits-a stunning cobblestone building shaped like a horeshoe and named after the tiny turquoise birds who, alongside its human tenants, inhabit an air of magical secrecy. When Zoey comes to claim her deceased mother's apartment on Mallow Isalnd, she meets her quirky and secretive neighbors, including a girl on the run, two estranged middle-aged sisters, a lonely chef, a legendary writer, and three ghosts. Each with their own story, Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn't written yet"--… (more)
Awards
LibraryReads (Monthly Pick — August 2022)
Original language
English
Language
ISBN
1250019869 / 9781250019868
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member jennybeast
It’s been a long time since I last read Addison Allen, and I was worried that I’ve grown so far away from fiction that I wouldn’t enjoy it — no worries there, the story is as magical and captivating as her other books, and the characters and settings have been haunting me ever since. As
Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss
Show More
usual, she sets out to make you fall in love with the sense of place, and Mallow island, South Carolina doesn’t disappoint. Also, the weird tiny condo community of the Dellawisp with its marvelous bossy birds and surprising ghosts. Beautiful unfolding of characters, particularly wonderful to see them heal and grow. Just a gently enthralling story.Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss
Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
Beautiful, enchanting, and engrossing - this sweet book of neighbors, ghosts, and fresh starts was perfect to get me in the mood for Halloween. Slightly paranormal but mostly human drama, Other Birds details the people tied to The Dellawisp, a fun and funky set of townhomes set on Mallow Island.
Show More
When eighteen year old, Zoey moves into her apartment she immediately sets about getting to know her neighbors. Zoey is looking for a fresh start and the only thing of real value she brought with her is her invisible bird named Pigeon. The living inhabitants of The Dellawisp are Charlotte - a young woman in her twenties who does Henna and seems to be hiding from the world, Lizabeth - a loud angry woman doesn't want anyone or anything making any noise on the property, Lucy - the reclusive older sister of Lizabeth who no one ever sees, Mac - the red headed chef who is nice to look at, and Frasier - the property manager. Each resident has their own ghosts (whether they realize it or not) but the closer they get to each other the less they need their ghosts. A fun and unique story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
This book was excellent! I have read a couple of Sarah Addison Allen’s books before picking this one up so I had a good feeling that this would be a book I would enjoy. I just love the way that she weaves just a hint of magic into her stories and I really believe that she is one of the best when
After graduating from high school, Zoey decides to move into her mother’s old studio condo at the Dellawisp. Another resident has recently died, leaving a condo full of paper and other items. Zoey takes on the task of clearing out the unit and is soon joined by another neighbor, Charlotte. Zoey and Charlotte work on cleaning together and eventually get to know the chef that lives in the building, Mac. I love the bonds that this group of characters formed over the course of the story. Zoey seemed to be the catalyst that was able to bring everyone together, even Oliver, who says he wants nothing to do with his mother’s things. Every character in the book had an interesting history and I really enjoyed the way those stories were worked into the story.
I really wanted to see everything work out for this group of characters. Each of them deserved to have good things in their lives. I loved that the most important thing that they gained over the course of the story was their relationships with each other. All of the characters were able to find some closure from the things from their past that has been haunting them. There is just a bit of magic sprinkled throughout the novel which kept things very interesting.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a delightful story featuring a fantastic cast of characters that I could help but root for. There were a few twists in the story that I found rather surprising as well. I definitely need to read more of this talented author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press.
Show More
it comes to magical realism. It didn’t take long for me to fall for the characters in this story and I soon found this book very hard to set aside.After graduating from high school, Zoey decides to move into her mother’s old studio condo at the Dellawisp. Another resident has recently died, leaving a condo full of paper and other items. Zoey takes on the task of clearing out the unit and is soon joined by another neighbor, Charlotte. Zoey and Charlotte work on cleaning together and eventually get to know the chef that lives in the building, Mac. I love the bonds that this group of characters formed over the course of the story. Zoey seemed to be the catalyst that was able to bring everyone together, even Oliver, who says he wants nothing to do with his mother’s things. Every character in the book had an interesting history and I really enjoyed the way those stories were worked into the story.
I really wanted to see everything work out for this group of characters. Each of them deserved to have good things in their lives. I loved that the most important thing that they gained over the course of the story was their relationships with each other. All of the characters were able to find some closure from the things from their past that has been haunting them. There is just a bit of magic sprinkled throughout the novel which kept things very interesting.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a delightful story featuring a fantastic cast of characters that I could help but root for. There were a few twists in the story that I found rather surprising as well. I definitely need to read more of this talented author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press.
Show Less
LibraryThing member FlowerchildReads
Other Birds by Sara Addison Allen is a story about a town, it’s quirky residents, and a reclusive author. It’s about abandonment and how people navigate grief. It’s about writing a new ending to your own story.
There are very few authors that are autobuy for me. There are very few authors
I believe that words are magical, they matter, they have power. Books quite literally saved my life. There was a time when nothing else made sense, but books did. Sarah Addison Allen’s books found me when I needed magic. They spoke to me in such a deep, hopeful way that’s hard to explain. But that’s how books work.
Fans of her writing know that several years ago she lost both her mother and sister, a loss so profound she needed to tend to her own soul before writing again. Thus the gap between her last book and Other Birds. It’s clear she’s a different writer now, something I appreciate. I think this is an extremely personal book for Sarah Addison Allen.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy, to Netgalley for the digital ARC, and to Goodreads for the Advanced Reader Copy.
There are very few authors that are autobuy for me. There are very few authors
Show More
that I’m a ‘completist’ of, having read all of their books (at least once). There are even fewer authors I’ll preorder, waiting months (or longer) for their next release. The number of authors that hit all of these are very slim indeed, and Sarah Addison Allen is one. I believe that words are magical, they matter, they have power. Books quite literally saved my life. There was a time when nothing else made sense, but books did. Sarah Addison Allen’s books found me when I needed magic. They spoke to me in such a deep, hopeful way that’s hard to explain. But that’s how books work.
Fans of her writing know that several years ago she lost both her mother and sister, a loss so profound she needed to tend to her own soul before writing again. Thus the gap between her last book and Other Birds. It’s clear she’s a different writer now, something I appreciate. I think this is an extremely personal book for Sarah Addison Allen.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copy, to Netgalley for the digital ARC, and to Goodreads for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
I know that I am not the only fan who has been eagerly waiting for Sarah Addison Allen’s latest novel, Other Birds. I found this author’s previous books to be magical, special, and enticing. Other Birds did not have the same feel as the author’s other works. I did not find myself drawn into
Show More
the story. The tale is told from several point-of-views (the residents along with a ghost or two). The story meanders from one character to the next. I enjoyed the descriptions of Mallow Island as well as the apartment complex with the lush foliage and unusual birds. There is an assortment of characters who have issues. There is one trying to run from her past (that never works), one who has someone they are not ready to let go, estranged sisters, a young woman looking to bond with her deceased mother, one who wishes to escape the island, and the caretaker of the condos. It is an offbeat cast of characters with some of them having unusual quirks. Before Zoey arrived at The Dellawisp, the residents kept to themselves. Proximity along with some strange occurrences slowly bring the residents together. The residents begin to bond and slowly get to know each other. They each have something they need to get past (hoarding, mental health issues, child neglect, sexual assault, a cult) before they can move on with their lives. There is your biological family, and then there is the family you create which is what we have in Other Birds. It happens in a way that is slightly unbelievable. The magical element was different (I do not want to say too much and spoil it for you). I did not feel that the characters were fleshed out (there were too many of them, so they all suffered). I was never able to get into this book (I tried). I felt Other Birds lacked substance. There are various unrelated storylines along with a mystery or two. I felt that the ending to Zoey’s story was lackluster. The mystery resolution is rushed and incomplete. While Other Birds is my least favorite book by this author, I am looking forward to Sarah Addison Allen’s next magical tale. Other Birds is a unique story with an enticing island, bizarre birds, a fragrant tree, an abnormal mystery, quirky residents, and past pains. Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
Well, talk about author's who try something different.
This is not the Sarah Addison Allen I know and adore. This is something more ambitious, edgier, with sharp, uncomfortable characters that survived sharp, uncomfortable experiences. Rather than 2 characters Allen bounces between, this is an
This is also almost more a ghost story than it is a magical realism. The magical realism is still here, though muted and without playing a central role in the characters' lives. Instead, the ghosts that haunt the dellawisp condos are the driving force behind the characters, with one ghost in particular driving the plot of the book itself. The ghosts range from kind and loving to horribly broken.
In spite of what may sound like a melancholy, depressing setup, the story is actually quite optimistic and full of hope. These people aren't damaged goods (save one of the characters and her part is a centre stage one, even though her story is pivotal); they're all building their best lives, and after the death of a tyrannical neighbor, they come together as friends, some with the possibility of romance, although no romance occurs on these pages.
The dellawisp birds add a spot of comedy here and there, as these little tiny turquoise birds rule the roost at the dellawisp condos (named after them), bossing the residents around, stealing their stuff, attacking strangers, catching a ride on residents' heads.
So, while this isn't the kind of Sarah Addison Allen story I love so very much that re-reading them is like shrugging into a favourite blanket when it's cold, it was a very good, well told, well-written story.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2022 for the Magical Realism square, but it would work equally well for Ghosts & Hauntings.
This is not the Sarah Addison Allen I know and adore. This is something more ambitious, edgier, with sharp, uncomfortable characters that survived sharp, uncomfortable experiences. Rather than 2 characters Allen bounces between, this is an
Show More
ensemble cast, and every one of them are victims of abuse (TW for molestation, though never explicitly described) and neglect. None of them define themselves that way, but all are living the lives they live, in part, as a reaction to that abuse or neglect. Only one truly continues to suffer.This is also almost more a ghost story than it is a magical realism. The magical realism is still here, though muted and without playing a central role in the characters' lives. Instead, the ghosts that haunt the dellawisp condos are the driving force behind the characters, with one ghost in particular driving the plot of the book itself. The ghosts range from kind and loving to horribly broken.
In spite of what may sound like a melancholy, depressing setup, the story is actually quite optimistic and full of hope. These people aren't damaged goods (save one of the characters and her part is a centre stage one, even though her story is pivotal); they're all building their best lives, and after the death of a tyrannical neighbor, they come together as friends, some with the possibility of romance, although no romance occurs on these pages.
The dellawisp birds add a spot of comedy here and there, as these little tiny turquoise birds rule the roost at the dellawisp condos (named after them), bossing the residents around, stealing their stuff, attacking strangers, catching a ride on residents' heads.
So, while this isn't the kind of Sarah Addison Allen story I love so very much that re-reading them is like shrugging into a favourite blanket when it's cold, it was a very good, well told, well-written story.
I read this for Halloween Bingo 2022 for the Magical Realism square, but it would work equally well for Ghosts & Hauntings.
Show Less
LibraryThing member fredreeca
Zoey has recently left her father’s home to go to college. She has moved to a condo she inherited from her mother on Mallow Island, South Carolina. She meets all the weird neighbors and absolutely falls in love with the place. But, can she heal and overcome her past?
I fell for Zoey on the very
No one does magic like Sarah Addison Allen. I have loved this author since her very first book and if you have not read her…you are missing out! All her books have characters which are damaged in some way or another. And there is alway just a touch of magic which just helps everyone see where life is supposed to lead them. This book tops the list!
Need a book which will make you smile and tug at your heartstrings…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I fell for Zoey on the very
Show More
first page. She is so young, but yet, she has some wisdom about her and she is so full of kindness. She is just one of the many characters which create this lovely story. I loved them all! They each bring their own tragedies and insecurities into this tale but they also bring their strengths.No one does magic like Sarah Addison Allen. I have loved this author since her very first book and if you have not read her…you are missing out! All her books have characters which are damaged in some way or another. And there is alway just a touch of magic which just helps everyone see where life is supposed to lead them. This book tops the list!
Need a book which will make you smile and tug at your heartstrings…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Eliz12
I struggled getting through this book, with the second half especially challenging. The characters were never developed, never left me feeling they could be real people. Instead, they existed in this story to have a problem that could be resolved thanks to the other characters. The curious names
Show More
and nicknames - Garland, Pepper, Macboy, Lizbeth Lime - always slowed me down, as though readers are being tossed a bit of quirkiness that's supposed to be fun, but instead it's annoying and cute. There were long scenes (everything with Garland) that were irrelevant to the book, and many moments that should have been much longer. The first half of the story is a bit drawn out and never really takes us anywhere, seeming to promise something extraordinary in the end. But it's the end that's the quickest, and too tidy, and throughly unsatisfying. I found it annoying that the author chooses to quote a "book" from within the story - ie herself - at the beginning, making me believe she's a bit too charmed by her own words. Often, I saw this as a would-be Alice Hoffman tale, but it never acheived Hoffman's lyrical writing or ability to take the reader to a world filled with enchantment yet undeniably real. Show Less
LibraryThing member Headinherbooks_27
This long-awaited book by Ms. Allen is finally here and I am so happy! As always such a treasure to read a mesmerizing story that expresses loss and healing.
LibraryThing member rmarcin
This is the story of Zoey who lost her mother years earlier, and her father has remarried and is engrossed in his new family. He made no secret of his desire for Zoey to move away. So, Zoey heads to the place where her mother once lived and meets a diverse cast of characters that helps her to heal
This wasn't my favorite of Ms. Allen's books, but it still has a magical touch.
Show More
from heartbreak. She brings along Pigeon, a bird that only she can see. This wasn't my favorite of Ms. Allen's books, but it still has a magical touch.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
Whimsical, charming, magical, who can't use a little magic in their lives? A feel good book, one that explores real life problems and features some terrific characters who are trying to work their way through them. The location of Mallow Island, an island off the coast of Georgia, and is noted for
There are whimsical birds, magical cornmeal, and love just waiting to be found. Spending the time to read this book was both poignant and delightful. I just love this authors books and this one was a long time coming. Well worth the wait.
ARC from edelweiss.
Show More
their mallow plant, reminded me of St.Simons island a place I love. Just gorgeous.There are whimsical birds, magical cornmeal, and love just waiting to be found. Spending the time to read this book was both poignant and delightful. I just love this authors books and this one was a long time coming. Well worth the wait.
ARC from edelweiss.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
Another great work of magical realism from Allen that explores families of all varieties, including those no longer living.
LibraryThing member onyx95
In an attempt to feel closer to the mother who had passed many before, Zoey moved to Mallow Island and into her mother's condo. Meeting some of the other tenants and finding a way to draw them out of their own shells was something she never thought she would be good at, but she was doing a lot of
Sarah Addison Allen is one of my favorite authors, so glad she has written another book. This story I found to be a little predictable but at the same time, it's such a sweet story and I think is written so well that I didn't mind the knowing. It was still a joy with each ah-ha moment that I read.
Show More
new things lately. Sarah Addison Allen is one of my favorite authors, so glad she has written another book. This story I found to be a little predictable but at the same time, it's such a sweet story and I think is written so well that I didn't mind the knowing. It was still a joy with each ah-ha moment that I read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mchwest
Plus 3 more *** if I could. I always so enjoy anything written by Sara Addison Allen and this book was absolutely lovely to read. She writes with such flare and detail I can see in my mind these little birds flitting everywhere in their home at the Dellawhisp. I read her books with such joy but so
Show More
sad its done until the next! Show Less
LibraryThing member streamsong
“Stories aren’t fiction. Stories are fabric. They’re the white sheets we drape over our ghosts so we can see them”. (Fictional author Roscoe Avanger, Sweet Mallow)
Mallow Island, South Carolina, is a tourist community renowned for its marshmallow candy and for Dellawisps, bright turquoise,
When Zoey and her invisible bird Pigeon move into a small condo she inherited from her mother, she finds she is one of a small quirky group of tenants. They all have complicated backstories which make them feel alone in the world and also avoid furthering their connections to it.
The condo also has its share of ghosts, trapped in place as the living hang on to them.
Zoey becomes the catalyst for friendships formed and stories to be revealed.
I thought this was enjoyable: deftly and brightly written, but I wonder how much I will remember of this story. Nevertheless, I know this author has an enthusiastic following, and I would pick up another by her.
"There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don't sing. Maybe they don't fly. Maybe they don't fit in. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing."
Mallow Island, South Carolina, is a tourist community renowned for its marshmallow candy and for Dellawisps, bright turquoise,
Show More
flightless, songless birds which have big personalities. It is also the home of a one-book-wonder author who is trying to avoid his fame. When Zoey and her invisible bird Pigeon move into a small condo she inherited from her mother, she finds she is one of a small quirky group of tenants. They all have complicated backstories which make them feel alone in the world and also avoid furthering their connections to it.
The condo also has its share of ghosts, trapped in place as the living hang on to them.
Zoey becomes the catalyst for friendships formed and stories to be revealed.
I thought this was enjoyable: deftly and brightly written, but I wonder how much I will remember of this story. Nevertheless, I know this author has an enthusiastic following, and I would pick up another by her.
"There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don't sing. Maybe they don't fly. Maybe they don't fit in. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing."
Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
An ensemble cast of very different people living in the same apartment complex, finding a sense of belonging.
All abandoned and let down in different ways by the adults in their lives, as grown-ups they struggle to heal their childhood hurts, create connection and find happiness.
Zoe is moving to a
A mediocre novel with some magical realism. The sheer number of different voices (9 - 6 residents and 3 ghosts) makes the story less compelling, lacking clarity of vision and depth.
The theme of abandonment is very front and center, to the detriment of the story. There is a lot of entitled main character energy around Zoe, making the story seem like a Mary Sue wish fulfillment.
The world building is ok, and the short chapters and flow of prose makes it a very easy read.
All abandoned and let down in different ways by the adults in their lives, as grown-ups they struggle to heal their childhood hurts, create connection and find happiness.
Zoe is moving to a
Show More
small island near Charleston, into the apartment her late mother has left her. Here she meets a cast of characters, and try to make connections. As the residents of the small apartment building get to know and trust each other, the ghosts haunting them are able to let go. A mediocre novel with some magical realism. The sheer number of different voices (9 - 6 residents and 3 ghosts) makes the story less compelling, lacking clarity of vision and depth.
The theme of abandonment is very front and center, to the detriment of the story. There is a lot of entitled main character energy around Zoe, making the story seem like a Mary Sue wish fulfillment.
The world building is ok, and the short chapters and flow of prose makes it a very easy read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
Too many POVs for me
LibraryThing member Andy5185
What does it take to let go? Sarah Addison Allen has given us a beautiful and enchanting story about a few people on an island that in coming together discover what it means to face your fears, let go and move forward. Includes a large dose of magical realism with ghosts narrating intermittently
Show More
between the real people drama. Not a complex plot, it’s pretty obvious where the story is going,but I loved every page. It was healing to read. Trigger warning: there is trauma in this tale in the form of addressing past abuse, violence, and PTSD. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarshaKT
Intriguing story, although a little predictable - great characters and lovely twisted plotlines
LibraryThing member secondhandrose
This was a bit of a departure for the author. While there were still aspects of magic realism this was a grittier and more grounded book than her previous releases. As always it was truly beautiful and the setting and descriptions were so evocative. Lovely to read.
LibraryThing member mojomomma
Zoey moves from Tulsa to a South Caroline coastal island, Mallow Island, where her late mother kept a small apartment for her. She moves in with Pigeon, her imaginary bird friend, who is the spirit of her late mother, Paloma. She meets the other residents of the small apartment complex and finds
Show More
friends, surrogate fathers, and a love interest. Show Less
LibraryThing member MickyFine
On a small island in South Carolina, buried behind the highly tourist-focused main street is a building made up of five condos. When Zoey Hennessy moves into her deceased mother's old condo, she has hopes of both connecting with the mother she barely knew and making some new friends. What she
This was a really charming piece of magical realism with a strong theme of found family. All of the characters Allen crafts are deeply sympathetic and there are several reveals that occur over the course of the book that surprised me (although several I saw coming). If you're looking for a soothing read, that provides similar vibes to sinking into a warm bath, this might just be the read for you.
Show More
doesn't expect is that the death of one of the other tenants in the condo building will unravel the secrets of several of her new neighbours.This was a really charming piece of magical realism with a strong theme of found family. All of the characters Allen crafts are deeply sympathetic and there are several reveals that occur over the course of the book that surprised me (although several I saw coming). If you're looking for a soothing read, that provides similar vibes to sinking into a warm bath, this might just be the read for you.
Show Less