Book Review: A Wall of Bright Dead Feathers

 

A WALL OF BRIGHT DEAD FEATHERS
By Babette Fraser Hale


Pages: 216
Pub Date: March 1st, 2021
Categories: Short Stories / Literary Fiction

 

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Most are newcomers to the scenic, rolling countryside of central Texas whose charms they romanticize, even as the troubles they hoped to leave behind persist. Twelve stories highlight “the book’s recurring theme of desire—for freedom, for clarity, for autonomy, and for personal fulfillment…When women are alone, unencumbered and unbeholden to anyone, they engage in intense internal reflection and show reverence for nature—and during these scenes, Hale’s language is luminescent” (Kirkus Reviews). 


PRAISE FOR A WALL OF BRIGHT DEAD FEATHERS: 
“Hale shows a great respect for her characters and for the difficulty of their deceptively ordered existence, as well as for the problems they suffer because so much cannot be spoken.” -- Francine Prose, on “Silences” 

“A vivid set of tales about connection to other people and to the natural world…Hale’s lovely prose shows a keen eye for detail…”  

-- Kirkus Reviews 


You know the saying, never judge a book by it's cover? Well, I can tell you for sure, this book has a beautiful cover with equally beautiful stories inside. I enjoy short stories and was happy that a book like this passed through Lone Star Literary Life. 


First off, I'm happy with the stories that were beautifully written by our author. Some stories were short, some long, but each entertaining in its own way. While the stories are unique, the overarching theme is seen throughout it all. This reoccurring theme that the grass isn't always greener on the other side just because you want it to be is played out well throughout each story. The grass is still green and your problems are still the same. 


Even though each story has this theme, the stories still stand tall all on their own. Each short is set in their own time, their own place with their own individual characters. No two stories ever feel the same. I was really impressed by how the author wrote this scope of people and settings in just one book. We go from one story being set in the 1800s to another placed in 2020. In the end, it felt like there was at least one story that everyone could relate to at some level.


The short stories varied in length. I think this would make a great read for those of us who don't have all the time in the world. You can read a short story, put the bookmark for the next story on a Wednesday  and pick it up on a Saturday morning. Since it's all short stories, you don't have to worry about forgetting what happened last.


Overall, this was a great read. It's like receiving one big themed gift made up of small gifts, all wrapped up in colorful wrapping paper. If you enjoy short and sweet stories, consider adding this one to your bookshelf soon. Until next time, Happy Reading!

pink stars



Purchase Links: 

Winedale Publishing Brazos Bookstore | Amazon 


Babette Fraser Hale’s fiction has won the Meyerson Award from Southwest Review, a creative artist award from the Cultural Arts Council of Houston, and been recognized among the “other distinguished stories” in Best American Short Stories, 2015. Her story “Drouth” is part of the New York Public Library’s digital collection. Her nonfiction has appeared in Texas Monthly, Houston City, and the Houston Chronicle. She writes a personal essay column for the Fayette County Record.  


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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! 

TWO WINNERS each receive a signed bookplate

+ $20 Brazos Bookstore Gift Card to buy the book 

 (US only. Ends midnight, CDT, 4/2/2021.) 


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Click to visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page  
for direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,  
or visit the blogs directly: 
 

3/23/21 

Author Video 

3/23/21 

Excerpt 

3/24/21 

Review 

3/24/21 

BONUS Promo 

3/25/21 

Review 

3/25/21 

Author Interview 

3/26/21 

Review 

3/26/21 

BONUS Promo 

3/27/21 

Excerpt

3/28/21 

Guest Post 

3/29/21 

Review 

3/29/21 

Author Interview 

3/30/21 

Review 

3/31/21 

Review 

3/31/21 

Guest Post 

4/1/21 

Review 

4/1/21 

Review 


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Comments

  1. Great review! And short stories and audio books are lifesavers for me right now because of that NOT having all the time in the world to read. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the great review. I'm adding this book to my must read.

    ReplyDelete

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