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George: A Magpie Memoir

George: A Magpie Memoir

by Frieda Hughes

Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster ·2023 ·272 pages
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
50/99
Near the Top

73/99

Critics' Rating Index

Maybe Someday

26/99

Readers' Rating Index

n/a

Scholars' Citation Index

84/99

Volume of Reviews

71/99

Volume of Reader Ratings

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About This Book

" He was a hectic, unprincipled bird, but it was impossible not to love him." From poet and painter Frieda Hughes, a memoir of love, obsession , and feathers. When Frieda Hughes moved to the depths of the Welsh countryside, she was expecting to take on a few planting a garden, painting, writing her poetry column for The Times (London), and possibly even breathing new life into her ailing marriage. But instead, she found herself rescuing a baby magpie, the sole survivor of a nest destroyed in a storm—and embarking on an obsession that would change the course of her life. As the magpie, George, grows from a shrieking scrap of feathers and bones into an intelligent, unruly companion, Frieda finds herself captivated—and apprehensive of what will happen when the time comes to finally set him free. With irresistible humor and heart, Frieda invites us along on her unlikely journey toward joy and connection in the wake of sadness and loss; a journey that began with saving a tiny wild creature and ended with her being saved in return.


Reviews

"Hughes doles out her biography in tidbits, feeding us in much the same manner as she feeds George."

Hamilton Cain· The Wall Street Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"This is a perfect match for Featherhood (2021), by Charlie Gilmour, the son of a poet who also rescued a magpie."

Nancy Bent· Booklist Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"He's aggressive, snippy and investigative, watchful and resourceful."

Laurie Hertzel· The Minneapolis Star Tribune Read review ↗ Near the Top

"From the hilarious and painfully precise descriptions of feeding George...to the eidetic image of George in flight...Hughes's own life takes up less space and it is always in service to George's story ..."

Martina Evans· The Irish Times Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"At first, Hughes is devastated."

Ann Levin· Associated Press Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Many of the book's failings are the result of a dereliction of duty by the publisher."

Tom Cook· Times Literary Supplement Read review ↗ Bottom of the Pile

"A poignantly heartwarming delight."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"It's a passionate book about unconditional love and commitment."

Nora Krug· The Washington Post Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

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