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Critics' Opinion:
Readers' Opinion:
First Published:
Dec 2005, 320 pages
Paperback:
Aug 2006, 320 pages
Book Reviewed by:
BookBrowse Review Team
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From the book jacket: The Conjurer's Bird is inspired
by one of the great puzzles of natural
history: that of the Mysterious Bird of
Ulieta. Seen only once, in 1774, by Captain
Cook's second expedition to the South Seas,
a single specimen was captured, preserved,
and brought back to England. The bird was
given to famed naturalist Joseph Banks (who
accompanied Cook on his first voyage to the
South Pacific), who displayed it proudly in
his collection until its sudden, unexplained
disappearance. Two hundred years later,
naturalists continue to wonder if the world
will ever get another glimpse of the elusive
bird. Were it not for a colored drawing done
by the ship's artist, there would be nothing
to say that the bird had ever existed.
The Conjurer's Bird is a gripping
literary mystery and passionate love story
that tackles the intrigue surrounding the
celebrated Banks, his secret affair with an
enigmatic woman known only as "Miss B," and
the legendary bird that becomes a touchstone
for their love.
Comment: The 'mysterious bird of
Ulieta' refers to a rare bird that was
caught during Captain Cook's second voyage
to the South Pacific in 1774. It ended up in
the collection of famed naturalist Joseph
Banks (who accompanied Cook on his first
voyage) and, according to this book, was
then given by Banks to his mistress, Mary
Burnett a naturalist and gifted botanical
artist (who the book jacket bills as the enigmatic "Miss B"). However, the bird then disappears
without trace from history - not only did
the stuffed specimen disappear, but no-one
else has ever caught sight of the bird in
the wild. If it wasn't for a sketch drawn by
the ship's artist we would have no record of
this thrush-like bird.
If you enjoy intelligent historical
mysteries you should take a close look at
The Conjurer's Bird. Some reviewers feel
the plot is a little overdone in a few
places but, on the whole, conclude with
praise.
Selected Reviews:
"Readers who like Andrea Barrett, Arturo
Perez-Reverte, and David Liss will find this
a page-turner through and through." -
Booklist.
"A good-natured combination of hammy modern
and more sensitive historical mysteries,
amounting to something rather less fabulous
than The Maltese Falcon." - Kirkus.
"Suspenseful, intriguing, and romantic, this
is great entertainment and an excellent
choice for book discussion groups; highly
recommended for all libraries." - Library
Journal.
This review was originally published in The BookBrowse Review in February 2006, and has been updated for the
August 2006 edition.
Click here to go to this issue.
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