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When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky


A deliciously strange and daringly original novel from Pulitzer Prize finalist ...
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Overall, what do you think of When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Created: 10/18/21

Replies: 32

Posted Oct. 18, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Overall, what do you think of When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Overall, what do you think of When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky? (no spoilers in this thread, please)


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jazzming

Join Date: 03/19/21

Posts: 28

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I really loved it!
I thought it was quirky and the characters bright and vivid. I enjoyed the sense of mystery it had, I kept thinking things unexpected were going to happen and it kept it fun even while tackling racism and the times!


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeb

Join Date: 10/09/18

Posts: 49

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

It was a very entertaining story. The whole idea of women on horses diving into a pool is pretty compelling in itself! And to get to accompany characters to the Scopes trial, a timely visit to science versus religion in a historical sense so you might ask yourself what have we learned. Good stuff! My only criticism would be how things were so tidily tied up in the end. No matter, the book has much to recommend.


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Maggie

Join Date: 01/01/16

Posts: 434

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I enjoyed the book. I liked the characters, especially Two Feathers and I liked her friendship with Hank Crawford. I knew nothing about horse divers but can say I am glad that horse diving is in the past. I also enjoyed the authors note at the end, very interesting. This will be a good book for book groups to discuss.


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
BuffaloGirl

Join Date: 01/13/18

Posts: 208

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I absolutely loved When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky. I’m slightly irreverent toward culture and etiquette so it appealed to me not only in those aspects, but also in the well-developed characters, setting, and storyline. The book far exceeded my expectations. I will definitely be reading Margaret Verble’s other books.


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
teacher reader

Join Date: 02/14/18

Posts: 64

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

Well, I am often the devil's advocate in my own book club so... I didn't find this book particularly entertaining. I was on page 150 before I got interested enough to keep turning pages. I am pretty familiar with Nashville, and I thought the author did an outstanding job of describing the culture of the times. However, the plot was not tightly woven, and I thought the writing was repetitive and just slightly boring.


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scottm

Join Date: 05/06/21

Posts: 2

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I think what attracted me to the book was the description of Nashville and the history of the times. The 1920s were a critical period in American history and there was much that played into this work, from a world still reeling from World War I to the Scopes trial to the continued struggle of African-Americans and Native American tribes trying to find their way in America, even during the "Roaring '20s".

It is good to read stories outside of "normal" literature and those that bring in perspectives you don't normally see in bookstores. However, the plot and storyline weren't quite as exciting to me. It was interesting and I wanted to learn what happened with the characters, but I am not sure that I will re-read this book in the future.


Posted Oct. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janet.t

Join Date: 10/21/21

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I was immersed in the story throughout. I thought it had a notable sense of place, and interesting characters.


Posted Oct. 22, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melissa c.

Join Date: 01/10/21

Posts: 111

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I'm with teacher reader on this one. I tried really hard to enjoy this book but I couldn't and didn't unfortunately. I didn't enjoy the writing style and also found the story boring. I'm very disappointed as this was one of the books high on my TBR list. Oh well - can't love them all.


Posted Oct. 22, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolt

Join Date: 03/25/17

Posts: 190

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I enjoyed it immensely in the end. The introductory history was interesting, but found the first few actual chapters not so. Then it picked up and the last 3/4 went by quickly. I will look for more of Margaret Verble's books.


Posted Oct. 22, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
gerrieb

Join Date: 09/03/19

Posts: 208

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I really loved this book! The importance of friendship and the acceptance of others really hit a stellar note with me. The setting was so fully developed it became a character in the story. The historical aspects made it even more enjoyable for me. Two is an enchanting character and I would like to read more about her while the other characters were no less memorable. I am so grateful to have gotten a copy of this book.


Posted Oct. 22, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Laura C

Join Date: 04/30/21

Posts: 26

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

Honestly, after the clever introductory pages, I was ready to dive right into the story but, alas, that just didn’t happen. I found the story slow and not particularly interesting until the last 100 pages or so. As with all historical fiction, I learned a lot and am always grateful for that but I just didn’t find the story nor writing style very engaging.


Posted Oct. 23, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gloria

Join Date: 03/11/15

Posts: 120

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

For me, the book was interesting and informative, but not compelling. I didn't really love any of the characters. Maybe Verble was trying to do too much with this story.


Posted Oct. 23, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janines

Join Date: 11/21/16

Posts: 102

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I loved the book. It was beautifully written. It presents important issues not usually addressed regarding indigenous people and nature. I will re-read this book again. Can't say enough good things about it!


Posted Oct. 23, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
skagitgrits's Gravatar
skagitgrits

Join Date: 02/24/17

Posts: 64

RE:A Tale Well Told

I enjoyed When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky. Ms. Verble is an excellent writer who knows how to entertain while putting forth issues that Tribal members and governments struggle with today...racisms, the lack of cultural and historically accurate histories of America's indigenous peoples, voter rights, blood quantum issues, and more. It's put in the context of one woman telling a story that is both universal for women and specific to the tribal nations. At the same time, this is an entertaining story with with allusions to local history in Tennessee and a history of entertainment that prevailed during the time in the Wild West Shows traveling internationally. We are reminded that certain classes of people weren't considered entirely human as the Scopes Trial is underway and our host of characters personify some of those injustices. The story includes some magical and spiritual dimensions and ends with a startling reckoning that the reader may consider just dues or perhaps a wrong to end a wrong.


Posted Oct. 23, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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pauj

Join Date: 04/26/14

Posts: 56

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I enjoyed it, but I was expecting more. Somehow I didn't get an overall picture of the setting. The characters could have been more related to each other and many of them deserved "a deeper dive."


Posted Oct. 24, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
RRO

Join Date: 07/18/11

Posts: 43

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I enjoyed this book very much. I thought the writing and character development were excellent. I was a bit hesitant about it before I started it, but it was a thoroughly good, quirky story! I knew a bit about diving horses since I used to watch the Steel Pier diving horses every weekend from Atlantic City as a child but had no idea that it was done that long ago. I also learned a good deal of history too.


Posted Oct. 24, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
catherynez

Join Date: 01/27/18

Posts: 98

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I enjoyed the book but it took awhile for me to get into it. The setting and characters were interesting. I really liked the character, Two Feathers. I enjoyed the last half much more than the first part.


Posted Oct. 24, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeh

Join Date: 06/15/11

Posts: 222

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I loved this book and have already recommended to several friends. It had a whimsical quality to the writing, yet such a plethora of deep character studies throughout .... truly a joy to read this.


Posted Oct. 25, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

It was beautifully written but a little slow. For me, interest picked up with the action in the second half. I do plan to try one of her earlier books.


Posted Oct. 25, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
patriciah

Join Date: 12/11/17

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I finished the book yesterday. It's one I don't want to put down because I want to know what happens next. The characters in the book are fully 3 dimensional and I think about Two Feathers at odd times of the day when I'm not even reading the book. The author has done a great job developing the characters and each chapter lets us see a little more into a key player.
The sticky topics sadly are still relevant today but the author did a great job of bringing them in to the story. I also liked the way she handled the men and gave us their perspectives on their romantic interludes. I really like Crawford and Clive as well as Two Feathers and hope to see more of them. The ending leaves an opening for a follow on book...


Posted Oct. 25, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
RuthEh

Join Date: 07/31/17

Posts: 67

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I really enjoyed this book. Two Feathers is so brave and loves the animals. I liked the setting which reminds me of when I was a young girl and we had a summer carnival in my little hometown and I was always going up town to see all the unusual and exotic animals. Such a big adventure to see the people, to watch their special acts. And, I especially liked the characters, they are so real. Thank Ms. Verble for such a wonderful adventure!


Posted Oct. 26, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jazzming

Join Date: 03/19/21

Posts: 28

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

Oh I just loved it! The author did such a good job of writing in the theme of the time. I really felt like I was in that world, in that time period. It had a real personality to it and I will for sure recommend it to people!


Posted Oct. 28, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
djcminor

Join Date: 03/14/19

Posts: 208

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I loved When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky! I fell into the story right away and did not want to come out!


Posted Oct. 29, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
josephinej

Join Date: 05/11/15

Posts: 95

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I loved this book! It was quirky and funny, yet touched on serious subjects (racism for one big one). I'm not necessarily a fan of magic realism but Venables set the story up so well that I bought into the ghost(s) completely. The characters were very well drawn, and I'd love to hear more about them - especially Two!


Posted Nov. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reene

Join Date: 02/18/15

Posts: 497

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I found the book very difficult to get into. There were many, many characters introduced very quickly ( using either first and last names) which was confusing and slowed down the reading. I was into 100 pages in before, I really had a grasp on where this book was going. This is sad, because the book really had so much of importance to say and I fear many will give up before they really grasp the plot and the important themes that the author was putting forth.


Posted Nov. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
wincheryl

Join Date: 01/01/18

Posts: 7

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

Enjoyed the characters and learned so much about the times then. I am going to read her earlier books....


Posted Nov. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cynthial

Join Date: 04/13/21

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I am not sorry I read the book, but I'm not thrilled about it either. It was a good story with great possibilities. I liked the characters and the description of the park and Chambliss Hall. However, I thought the plot could have been a bit tidier. I felt like the book rambled for the sake of adding words at points. Also, I found spelling and grammatical errors that were distracting.


Posted Nov. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

Cynthia--I believe the copy of the book you received was an advanced reading copy (ARC), in which case, some spelling and grammatical errors are to be expected as ARCs are printed many months ahead of publication, before the final round of editing.


Posted Nov. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jeffs

Join Date: 06/18/12

Posts: 49

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I enjoyed the book a great deal. I loved most of the characters and, being a native of Nashville all my life, really enjoyed the history of the area. I thought it was very well written and liked the way it dealt with racism and the appropriation of identity.


Posted Nov. 06, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
loisb

Join Date: 01/22/19

Posts: 9

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I haven't finished it yet. I'm about a third of the way into the story and I'm finding that I'm not really that interested; at least not enough to have finished it yet! I will probably keep reading because I know that sometimes you get surprised and are glad you stuck with it. Right now it just feels like everything is taking forever to come about.


Posted Nov. 14, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judyg

Join Date: 04/20/11

Posts: 72

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I had to think about my answer to this question for a long while. I’ve found that the book has stayed with me to my surprise. I find myself thinking about the way this author brought spiritualism to a book that also addressed ugliness and hate at the same time. There was a comfortable and day-to-day pace to the book throughout yet the key events (Two Feathers’/Ocher’s fall and Jack’s killing of animals)fit into that narrative without the events overwhelming the book—-the “fit” into the storyline was masterful and magical. I think I’m remembering this story because of the author’s skill first and then because multiple world views were woven throughout the story to touch us in so many wonderful ways—-reminders of what’s really important in all life. I loved the book and applaud the author!


Posted Nov. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jessica F

Join Date: 05/23/20

Posts: 165

RE: Overall, what do you think of When ...

I really enjoyed this book! I appreciated the character development and the twists and turns the author provided. There is a lot going on here, but somehow it all fits together: mystery, murder, racism, Prohibition, Native American culture, after-life and spirits, animals, love, and more!


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