The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

Title: The Bird Sisters

Author: Rebecca Rasmussen

Genre: Literary fiction

Publisher: Crown, 2011

Source: Library

Where to begin with a summary of this odd, lovely little story? Milly and Twiss, spinster sisters, are known to care for broken birds. They are a town attraction, old fashioned and delightful. But why did Millie, the most beautiful, kind girl in town, and Twiss, the most adventurous, end up alone in the house where they grew up? The story delicately unfolds as a day in the elderly life of Millie and Twiss and the stories of one fateful summer are interwoven.

I had heard nothing but positivity for The Bird Sisters, but when it came down to opening the book, I had no idea what was beneath that lovely cover (if ever there was a book cover I would want framed on my wall, this would be it. Ms. Rasmussen, I hope you have one framed. You're the only one who can hang it up without feeling weird about it!). It was my book choice for the lake on the fourth of July, and it was perfect. It isn't a typical beach read, full of witty allusions to pop culture and flirtatious romance, but it was just right for the lake. The story had a comfortable, old-fashioned, well-worn feel, just like the tiny town where I have spent countless summers. Reading the book felt like eating blackberry pie - sweet, but not in the processed, synthetic way of a candy bar. It had some substance and nourishment beneath that airy, sugary crust. (I keep using food allusions in my reviews... Symptom of trying to lose weight?) It had a similar feel to some of my favorite books of elementary school, like Tuck Everlasting and Where the Red Fern Grows, but its complexity and the issues it raised were definitely far ahead of those childhood treasures.

In fact, for a moment that complexity was a source of frustration for me. I had to dig deeper, use my brain cells a little more than I was expecting, in order to understand the events. Why would Millie do that? I asked myself more than once. Why is this particular scene being included? But when events are forced to a sharp, painful climax, the actions of the sisters are poignant, beautiful, and heartbreaking.

This novel must be discovered for itself. I could write more about it, try to delineate exactly why the themes of sacrifice, family, and love are so gracefully present, but I would be doing the novel a disservice - Ms. Rasmussen has drawn them in her own lovely style that I can't hope to imitate. Lovely, lovely, lovely. That seems to be the adjective I am most overusing, so we'll end it with that. For a comfort read, an introspective journey into love in all its convoluted forms, and lovely writing, turn to The Bird Sisters.

4 stars