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Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Stories Audiobook
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(3.03) - 878 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An "astonishing debut collection, by a writer reminiscent of such greats as Alice Munro, Elizabeth Strout, and even Chekhov" (Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants), focusing on women navigating relationships with humans, animals, and the natural world.
Exploring the way our choices and relationships are shaped by the menace and beauty of the natural world, Megan Mayhew Bergman's powerful and heartwarming collection captures the surprising moments when the pull of our biology becomes evident, when love or fear collides with good sense, or when our attachment to an animal or wild place can't be denied.
In "Housewifely Arts," a single mother and her son drive hours to track down an African gray parrot that can mimic her deceased mother's voice. A population-control activist faces the ultimate conflict between her loyalty to the environment and her maternal desire in "Yesterday's Whales." And in the title story, a lonely naturalist allows an attractive stranger to lead her and her aging father on a hunt for an elusive woodpecker.
As intelligent as they are moving, the stories in Birds of a Lesser Paradise are alive with emotion, wit, and insight into the impressive power that nature has over all of us.
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"I typically do NOT enjoy short stories. However, Birds of A Lesser Paradise was very different. I particularly enjoyed "The cow who milked herself". I am looking forward to this authors novel that is rumored to be released in the near future."
— Jaimi (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Readers will be shocked, amazed, and always entertained by the work of this accomplished writer of short fiction.”
— Booklist -
“A top-notch debut…that deserves big praise. The beginning, one suspects, of a fine career.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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Selected for the March 2012 Indie Next List
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An Amazon Best Book of the Month, March 2012
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Nominated for the Barnes & Noble Discover Award
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A 2012 Kansas City Star Top 100 Book for Fiction
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An Amazon Top 100 Book of 2012
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
Birds of a Lesser Paradise Listener Reviews
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" The best stories in this collection (including the first story, "Housewifely Arts") are reminiscent of Amy Hempel's work. Lovely writing. "
— Elliott, 2/18/2014 -
" Insightful and accomplished writing, but the tone of the book is bleak. "
— Jean, 1/31/2014 -
" What beautifully crafted stories! Graceful and wild. Primal and delicate. Looking forward to much more from this author. "
— A.K., 1/20/2014 -
" Some stories were REALLY good, some not so good. Maybe I would have enjoyed them a bit more if I were a woman? This was clearly meant for female readers, lol. Loved the cover. "
— Mauricio, 1/10/2014 -
" A wonderful writer. Fascinating short stories. "
— Martha, 1/7/2014 -
" Best short story book I've read in years. All about the human condition in the physical world. Each story a gem. Highly recommend. "
— Nancy, 1/3/2014 -
" This is a lovely book, rich & dreamy - poetic stories about strong women, the natural world, and the inner workings of the heart. I'll be on the lookout for her next work... "
— Lora, 12/22/2013 -
" An interesting collection of stories, kind of a look into the internal dialog of women at various crossroads of life. "
— Tricia, 12/5/2013 -
" Continuing with my short story reading trend, this book was really good. Varied and entertaining, with some element in each story that anchored it enough for me to care. "
— Jessica, 12/5/2013 -
" Almost every story, in some way, covers topics of divorce, marriage, injured animals, love, relationships, or ill parents. As you might guess, they are somewhat depressing, although most end on an upbeat note. "
— Judith, 12/3/2013 -
" One of the best book of short stories I have ever read. "
— Kristie, 9/5/2013 -
" Birds of a Lesser Paradise is truly remarkable. Megan Mayhew Bergman is extraordinary. "
— Clare, 8/27/2013 -
" I quite enjoyed this book. Her stories feel like they come from a very personal place. "
— Chelsea, 5/29/2013 -
" These stories are so beautiful they make me want to cry. They all end feeling somehow both hopeless and hopeful at the same time. "
— Cheryl, 5/14/2013 -
" Excellent book of Short Stories. Wished they weren't short "
— Allison, 3/10/2013 -
" I loved this book of stories. So many of them hit so close to me. The way I see the world. It was a melancholy book but one that had a quiet, warm resolve to every ending. "
— Janet, 3/5/2013 -
" More like 4 1/2 - I really liked a number of these stories. "
— Russell, 1/31/2013
About Megan Mayhew Bergman
Megan Mayhew Bergman grew up in North Carolina and attended Wake Forest University. She has graduate degrees from Duke University and Bennington College. Her stories have appeared in numerous journals, including Ploughshares, Oxford American, One Story, and Narrative. She lives in Shaftsbury, Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and several animals.
About Cassandra Campbell
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.