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The Gravity of Birds


"A complex web of jealousy and heartache." - O, The Oprah Magazine
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Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

Created: 07/15/13

Replies: 35

Posted Jul. 15, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sgh

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 8

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

i could not get through the book and i tried!! The characters were not compelling; I found them tedious and boring.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bonnieb

Join Date: 09/11/11

Posts: 132

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I loved the book. My husband is an artist and I loved reading about the art, artists and the meaning of the paintings. I thought the characterizations were wonderful as well. I have posted reviews on Goodreads and Amazon giving the book five stars.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judyw

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 70

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I agree with "bonnieb". Indeed, this was a wonderful book to read and enjoy. The author's prose allowed the reader to become part of the story. The characters came alive on the pages; the story was intriguing and will lead to great discussions. I'm going to suggest this title of my book club and I seldom choose new books.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
diwolter

Join Date: 05/19/12

Posts: 10

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I'm still completing it...but I've started and stopped and restarted twice already. I'm enjoying the story and the writing...but am having a difficult time relating to the characters. I'm not giving up though!


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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rosannes

Join Date: 01/29/13

Posts: 45

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I loved this book because of its pace. I felt I was given information in stages. I got to digest it and then was given some more to digest . I loved the characterization. I think the author did an incredible job developing each of them. It was a book I did not want to end.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Violetta

Join Date: 06/10/11

Posts: 12

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I enjoyed this book--not one that I would necessarily rave about to friends but I found myself wanting to know what happened to these people. I liked the relationship aspect along with a little touch of mystery. I especially enjoyed the bantering between Finch and Stephen.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sharalynnep

Join Date: 12/04/11

Posts: 63

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I really enjoyed this book . I liked the story, I felt like I knew the characters, and I can't believe I didn't guess the ending! I've already passed it along to a book club friend.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mariannes

Join Date: 12/17/12

Posts: 206

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I thought it was average. I found it very depressing that Alice wasted so much of her life. I also don't see how Agnete's birth could have been kept secret for so long. I had a child in 1973, and he needed a birth certificate to start school, and not long after that he had to have a social security number. I don't see how a child could just appear from nowhere without a lot of questions being asked. This made the book seem somewhat unrealistic to me. On the other hand, I thought the author's writing skills were pretty good.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I liked it much more than I thought I would. I was worried at first that it would be a bit too "chick-litty," and would descend into a simple sister-rivalry novel. I was pleasantly surprised at the books multiple layers (I love thinking about the story from Natalie's point of view), and enjoyed the characters and their relationships with each other (I particularly liked the interaction between Finch & Stephen). It was a four-star book for me.


Posted Sep. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
johnw

Join Date: 03/11/12

Posts: 102

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I thought it was a wonderful book to read as I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters. It was written in a manner that I visually found myself part of the story and situation being discribed. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars!


Posted Sep. 09, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
shelbyl

Join Date: 05/19/11

Posts: 22

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

The Gravity of Birds has all the characteristics I enjoy in a good book, plot, character developoment, tone, and beautiful writing. This was not a quickly paced book. It had to be digested slowly and the flow of words contributed to that. It is part mystery, at times funny, thoughtful and totally a lovely read.


Posted Sep. 09, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lea Ann

Join Date: 04/20/11

Posts: 99

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I very much liked the book as I read it more and more. Was thinking this book would earn a "5" from me. But then I got to the ending and it was just too many coincidences and the people involved too "distant" as it were from reality and I knocked my star rating down to a "4" at the most. The last couple of chapters were beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief. For example, how did Natalie, who worked outside the home and was gone for a good share of each day while Alice was the stay-at-home part of the pair, manage to hide 100% of the letters from Thomas, let alone the painting? And not only hide them, but do so in the attic? No one noticed her going to the attic????? Sorry, Ms. Guzeman lost me there. In fact, she lost me as soon as Jameson and Finch set out for New Mexico.


Posted Sep. 09, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
asha

Join Date: 05/01/13

Posts: 44

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I loved the book as a quick read mystery. The characters were pretty uncompromising and I found that to be the author's prerogative. I have to concur with the above reader regarding the coincidences... They were too many...and, if there waa a negative about the book it was that...A bit far fetched and everyone willing to forgive a bit too much.


Posted Sep. 09, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 320

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I thought the book was okay. It was a good storyline and it did keep me reading. But other than
Phinneaus and Alice's daughter the characters were really not likeable. I wanted to throttle them all especially Natalie because I really could not understand her actions


Posted Sep. 09, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jeffs

Join Date: 06/18/12

Posts: 49

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I thought this book was OK. Nothing great and not something i would recommend. I did like some of the characters such as Stephen and Dennis with all of their bickering, Alice and Phinneaus were good together, and Phinneaus daughter was also entertaining. I had a real problem with the characters of Thomas and Natalie. I did not like not knowing these characters as they were so integral to telling the whole story. I had a hard time getting through this book, though it did get better toward the end.


Posted Sep. 09, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sallyh

Join Date: 09/07/12

Posts: 142

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

It was a slow start for me, but I liked it more and more as I got farther into it. I wasn't crazy about any of the characters, but would still give it a 3.5 - 4 out of 5.


Posted Sep. 10, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cathyw

Join Date: 07/29/11

Posts: 3

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

The writing was beautiful. Most of the characters were well developed and believable. I was bothered by the timing of events. The relationships developed too quickly. The ending was a little too tidy. However, for the most part, it was an enjoyable read.


Posted Sep. 10, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
alice

Join Date: 03/06/12

Posts: 13

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I found it to be a little tedious. To me the relationship between Natalie and Alice was not realistic in today's world.


Posted Sep. 11, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
darylb

Join Date: 06/23/13

Posts: 142

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I loved this book! It did start out slowly, but I found myself not wanting to put it down. I found the characters totally believable. I found Stephen hilarious and laughed out loud at his crazy antics. I will def recommend this to my book club. I would give it a 4.5. The writing is lovely.


Posted Sep. 11, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paml

Join Date: 10/25/12

Posts: 83

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I thouroughly enjoyed this novel. Guzeman's style made for a very good read. It kept my interest and the story unfolded at a good pace. Loved the details about the art work and the birds. Trazy Guzeman brought together many elements and characters and it worked well for me. However, I thought that Stephen being Thomas's son, jumped the shark for me.


Posted Sep. 11, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
leew

Join Date: 07/18/13

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the art and the mystery and the secrets involved throughout. I have already recommended it to my book club and passed it along to my mother and her book club.


Posted Sep. 11, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janam

Join Date: 09/11/13

Posts: 4

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I had a little trouble getting into the book, but once I sorted out the characters I enjoyed reading it. The mystery about Alice's daughter's birth and the lost paintings made for a suspenseful read. I also found the details about art and birds interesting, but I had some trouble with the character development and the discovery at the end about Stephen's father was just too over the top.


Posted Sep. 11, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kathrynk

Join Date: 05/21/11

Posts: 40

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I enjoyed the book very much. I am a watercolor artist and could relate to the discussions in the beginning of the book. I found the story about Alice fascinating. I found it hard to put the book down and enjoyed the mystery and the secrets discovered around the painting and the relationships involved.


Posted Sep. 12, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Beth350

Join Date: 04/15/11

Posts: 89

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I enjoyed the book, although I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of favorites or at the top of a list of "really fine literature for 2013." I found the art discussions very interesting and also enjoyed that it morphed into a mystery of sorts as the characters searched for the missing parts of the painting.


Posted Sep. 12, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

Though life got in the way of reading this book as quickly as I would have liked I was able finally to sit down and consume the last half. I did enjoy it very much and as with any book, hated some of the characters, loved others and found some to be just peeps that were necessary in the life of the characters. I think this is a not too unusual tale of how much cruelty one sibling can inflict on another and as frequently happens the victim is able to sort of justify what is being done to her and just goes along with it. In this case, the hiding of the existence of Agnete from her mother while all the time secretly playing the dutiful aunt sort of put Natalie in a class of her own as a villain.


Posted Sep. 14, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianes

Join Date: 05/16/11

Posts: 68

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I liked it very much, it was a quiet book and beautifully written. Loved the prose and the settings . Also enjoyed the search for the missing pieces and the slow unraveling of the story using these pieces and the focal point for the uncovering of the stories of these girls.


Posted Sep. 15, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyl

Join Date: 04/15/12

Posts: 146

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I thought the book got off to a very slow start. If I hadn't been given a copy to review, I probably would have stopped reading. The characters didn't engage me. When I reached the halfway point, the pace quickened and I got more into the story. I didn't like all the coincidences at the end--the death of Thomas just at the time everything comes together and the meeting of Alice, Stephen, and Finch in Santa Fe in a two day period. It was unrealistic as well as the daughter's acceptance of all these dramatic events. I thought having Agnete and Stephen brother and sister was too much. I would not recommend this book to my book club. There wasn't anything remarkable about it.


Posted Sep. 17, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
keizerfire

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 20

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I am entranced with this book. At the very beginning I thought I wouldn't really get into it, but in just a few pages, I found myself reluctant to stop reading and go to bed, work, or anywhere at all! I felt drawn into the story, and understanding the feelings and situations intensely. I was torn between finishing the book quickly, or drawing it out and savoring the beauty of the writing.


Posted Sep. 17, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JulieAB

Join Date: 07/16/13

Posts: 117

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I really did enjoy this book. I got a late start, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. I loved the pace, the writing, and the development of the story as it unfolded. I'd give it 4 out of 5 starts.


Posted Sep. 17, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kate

Join Date: 01/22/11

Posts: 95

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I enjoyed it, but did not think it was a wonderful read. I found the ending had way too many ends getting tied up and most of them were too far fetched to be believable. I did not really find any of the characters appealing expect maybe Phinneaus and Finch. Are all "artists" so self absorbed and clueless of others? That seems to be how they are always portrayed.


Posted Sep. 18, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
JulieAB

Join Date: 07/16/13

Posts: 117

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I really did like this book. I liked the pace and I liked the story line. I gave it a four out of five stars on Goodreads. I was able to get into the story and the characters easily. I will definitely pass it on to friends.


Posted Sep. 19, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lucyb

Join Date: 03/09/12

Posts: 29

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I was taken with book from the very beginning. Once I started reading I could not lay it down. I couldn't wait to get to the ending to see how it would end and I was not disappointed with the surprised ending.


Posted Sep. 20, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kate

Join Date: 01/22/11

Posts: 95

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I would have to agree with Beth 350. It was a fine book, but not sure I would tell other people "you have to read this book!" I seem to have enjoyed it more at the beginning and lost interest as the story went on; which was odd because that was when most of the "action" took place. I found all the coincidences at the end not believable at all and felt like the author was just trying to wrap up the story.


Posted Sep. 20, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marganna

Join Date: 10/14/11

Posts: 153

RE: Overall, what do you think of The Gravity of Birds?

I found Tracy Guzeman's writing style & prose very enjoyable. This is the main reason I finished the book. The main characters were just OK; the exceptions were Stephen, Dennis & Phinneaus ~ they kept me engaged. Natalie, Alice & Thomas were painful ~ just fitting together for a fairy tale story with too many pieces "just" fitting together. I liked the art descriptions, the bird information which gave the book value.


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