Fly Like a Bird

Jana Zinser

Summary

A coming-of-age story of a young white girl who discovers racism and betrayal as she tries to unravel the truth about her parents’ deaths and escape the town that lied to her."Fly Like a Bird presents plot and subplot lines compelling enough to keep the reader turning the pages, and heart racing at times. . . Those who populate the story are colorful, loving, hateful, sad, evil, heroic and courageous, but never stereotypical . . ." - Verified ReviewerIvy, a young girl growing up in a small town in the 70s where everyone knows everything, discovers her family and the people in her town are keeping secrets about the night a car crash killed her parents.The secrets she uncovers and her efforts to leave the town that lied to her, force Ivy to confront betrayal, death, racism, and the meaning of family."I actually lived this book. Took me 8 hours to read it. Couldn't put it down. I'd recommend it to everyone. It doesn't matter where you were born and raised, home is really where your family lives, related or not." - Verified reviewer."This was a great read! The author really dived deep into topics of racism, domestic violence, sexuality and the impact of family secrets via a young girl that loses her parents. This was well written and an enjoyable read" - Goodreads review.". . . I am pleased to recommend this noir-style Iowa historical to friends and family. It is an interesting read, telling tales of what it takes to make-or-break a family . . ." - Bonnye, Netgalley and Goodreads reviews". . . I really connected with this book. I found it hard to put down. It resolved too quickly and perfectly in my opionion, and that felt rushed. . . I would have liked a cliff hanger and a follow up book . . . it was THAT enjoyable. I will definitely read more from this author and would recommend this book highly." - Colleen - NetGalley review"I love family stories, especially about grandparents. And this is a good one. Ivy has lived with her grandmother for as long as she can remember, ever since her parents were tragically killed. Theirs is a small town in the 70s, rife with racism and prejudice and suspicion and secrets. Seems like everyone knows those secrets except for Ivy. The older she gets, the more driven she becomes to find out the truth about what really happened that night so very long ago." - Shawna - NetGalley review

Available since: 03/25/2023.

1 Comments

Book of the Week 03/31/2023

When reading FLY LIKE A BIRD, you feel like you are right there in Coffey, a small town in the state of Iowa, where Ivy is being raised by her grandmother because her parents died in a car accident when she was a baby.

The story takes place in the 60s and 70s and dives straight into racial and sexual problems of the time. As Ivy tries to unearth the secrets that surround her parents’ death, she finds herself in the middle of not only a divided family, but a divided community. We get to know a wide cast of characters, each with their own troubles and imperfections. While this may seem like a lot to take in at the beginning, it serves to add depth to the story and the vast variety of characters soon grows on you. Zinser also delights us with rich descriptions of the scenery, making us breathe the humid summer air (like cotton candy) and yearn for the tasty pies and yard bird suppers.

In short, this is a very enjoyable atmospheric novel that points out social plights and surprises with a few twists and turns. In the end everything is resolved which may seem a bit rushed but will appeal to all those who long for a conclusive happy ending.

Discover more book recommendations on https://www.24symbols.com/24stories/en/the-best-books-of-the-moment/

About the author

Jana Zinser

Jana Zinser hopes the people who read her book will see how injustice affects us all. About the Author Jana Zinser writes stories about people fighting against all odds. Versed in both TV,...

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