Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

OTHER BIRDS by Sarah Addison Allen is a LibraryReads selection for August 2022. Allen again combines a Southern family tale with the magical realism for which she is known in novels like The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Lost Lake, and First Frost. The main character, Zoey, is a young adult who moves to a home her mother left her on Mallow Island, off of the South Carolina coast. The story begins a bit slowly, but that also reinforces the mood of tentativeness which is shared by Zoey’s neighbors. They include Charlotte, a henna artist; Mac, an excellent chef; Lucy, an older recluse and sister to Lizbeth who died recently; plus Frasier, the complex’s manager. Gradually, friendships develop and the characters become more appealing as they reveal background about themselves. Many had a troubled childhood which is linked to the various “ghosts” who haunt Mallow Island. Ultimately, this is a tender story with elements of mystery. Allen is a master at evoking peaceful, positive feelings.  OTHER BIRDS received a starred review from Booklist who recommended it especially for readers of Fannie Flagg and Karen White.