Birds of Paradise
Diana Abu-Jaber
September 2011
384 pages
Published by W.W. Norton & Company
read on my nook app
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I’m an Abu-Jaber fan. Not on the same level that I’m a Sarah Addison Allen fan (because her books make me happy), but then they’re totally different writers. You never know what you’ll get with Abu-Jaber. I found this one to be quite sad, although I think different people will see her books in different ways. Wait, that’s not right…more like focus on different aspects of the story, whcih will bring forth different emotions.
Overview from B&N:
Avis Muir is a brilliant pastry chef, Brian Muir a corporate real estate attorney. Their son, Stanley, is the proprietor of a trendy food market. Their beautiful daughter, Felice, is missing. A runaway at 13, Felice has spent five years modeling tattoos, skateboarding, clubbing, and sleeping in a squat house or on the beach. She’s about to turn 18. Soon all of the Muirs will be forced to confront their anguish, loss, and sense of betrayal. And Felice must reckon with the guilty secret that drove her away, then face her fear of losing her family and her sense of self forever.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of contemporary Miami, Birds of Paradise is filled with piercing insights into the politics of food and sugar, teen culture, and of the ebb and flow of marriage. The writing is sumptuous, the story moving, and the descriptions of food (one of Abu-Jaber’s specialties) are mouth-watering.
I felt for poor Stanley. He loves food, and as a child, wanted nothing more than to help his mom in kitchen. Avis, however, wanted Felice in the kitchen with her. Felice, of course, wasn’t into that. So while Felice rejects Avis, Avis rejects Stanley. And even though he finds his own path, I was still quite sad about how easy it was for Avis to squash her son’s dreams.
Continuing on with Avis, I actually thought she was quite bitchy. Sure, she softens up throughout the book, and we see her in more depth, but I never cared for her. Or, to be honest, Brian or Felice. However, their stories were compelling. Felice’s life as a runaway was mostly charmed, in a still sad and also tawdry way…it could’ve been worse, but the Miami scene put a different spin on things. And the slowly revealed story as to why she ran away made me go whoa.
Still, I spent most of the book rooting for Stanley.
Have you read this? If so, did you have a favorite character?
Lovely review. Stanley is such an unfortunate sounding name. (I think of Flat Stanley.)
On totally other non-related note, someone on Twitter just mentioned that they sneezed and got a Bless-You on the streets of Boston. I almost responded with a link to you but then I say your tweet to visit so here I am.
Happy Cyber Monday.
Care´s last [type] ..Beet Pie
I always think of Flat Stanley, too. On him, the name is cute.
And yay for polite Bostonians.
I love Abu-Jaber’s writing, and loved her memoir about growing up with her father, so I am intensely interested in reading this one, and luckily for me, I do have a copy waiting patiently for me! It sounds like this is a story that I would quickly get invested in, and the fact that there is so much food description makes me smile
Great review today, Jill! I can’t wait to give this book a try!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Printmaker’s Daughter by Katherine Govier — 512 pgs
I want to read her memoir!
OK, this woman is a total hoot. She was at SIBA, and I was lucky enough to have her come visit my lunch table at one of the events. She brought her own wine bottle with her! And she shared! That totally won me over right then and there. Anyway, I do have this book and the memoir (which Zibilee gave me) so sad or not, I know I must read her.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Hugo (2011)
Oh, now I love her even more. It makes me happy when I hear that an author is Good People.
I have never read anything by this author. I also find the name Stanley unfortunate but his job sounds AWESOME.
Aarti´s last [type] ..Joint Musings: The Sleeping Partner
There’s almost always lots of food in her books. But also really good stories.
I haven’t read any of Abu-Jaber’s work, but I met her at SIBA. I had run into her before the event and gave her directions, not knowing who she was. When she spied me at SIBA, she credited me with getting her there. I know it’s rather silly, but I’ve been a fan ever since! LOL
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
So now you HAVE to read her.
I loved The Language of Baklava (memoir) and can’t wait to read her fiction… plan to start with this one, as soon as I get my hands on a copy.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..We have a winner…
I have The Language of Baklava on my WishList and will add this one now too…this list never ends
Patti Smith´s last [type] ..Thankfully Reading Weekend Wrap-Up
Gee, I really loved what you had to say about this one. It really sounds like a book I’d like a lot. I just found out the library has it in audio so I may try that version. Thanks for highlighting this one for us.
Diane@BibliophileBytheSea´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday – November 28th
I’ve never actually heard of this author, but I’m definitely intrigued.
I own but haven’t read this. I don’t know why I keep passing over it. Now I think I should give it a try.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Today’s Read: Three Weeks in December by Audrey Schulman
I was eagerly awaiting this one, pre-ordered it for my Kindle and yet to actually read it. I hope I can squeeze it in before the end of the year.
nomadreader (Carrie)´s last [type] ..book review: You Are My Only by Beth Kephart
I have to confess that I’ve not yet read anything by either Diana Abu-Jaber OR Sarah Addison Allen! Are you still speaking to me?
The tease about the way Abu-Jaber writes about food? THAT is speaking to me!
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..Free Chocolate Orgasm Brownies!
I’m not familiar with the author but the summary and your thoughts make me think I’d like this one. Gage loves kitchen utensils and play kitchen sets. I look forward to his help in the kitchen one day!
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..November’s 5 Word Movie Reviews & $ for Charity
I haven’t read this. I love that you were rooting for Stanley the whole time so I’m adding it to my tbr list.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..Untitled