"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
There are echoes of Vladimir Nabokov's infamous narrator, Humbert Humbert, in Fabian's confessional tone, witty humor, and emotional detachment from the series of bizarre events he describes. Set at the turn of the century in a remote cod-fishing community, The Bird Artist is a love story of sorts, filled with curious characters and a chowder restaurant. The men wear "knitted underwear all year round lined with fleece calico" and periodically escape the island to pursue their livelihoods on the sea. But the women are land bound. Helen Twombly suspects fellow villagers of stealing her milk bottles. Alaric Vas suffers from arthritis that no liniment relieves and plots her son's arranged marriage with a fourth cousin in Richibucto, New Brunswick. Meanwhile, Fabian's childhood love, Margaret Handle, propels herself and the plot forward with unwieldy energy. How did things for a mild-mannered man who just likes "to wake up early, wash my face, and get out and draw birds" go so wrong?
Norman, a folklorist and naturalist, presents us with the possible explanations in the form of fine details from an island life he researched while living in a remote Inuit whale-hunting community. He carefully examines the inner isolation of his characters. The severe landscape and the weather serve as the perfect metaphor. If you're looking for linguistic pyrotechnics, Norman's economy won't suit you. In The Bird Artist--a finalist for the 1994 National Book Award--there is as much to admire on the page as what's not. --Cristina Del Sesto
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001628486
Book Description Condition: Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # H11A-01853
Book Description Condition: Good. First Edition. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 48712225-6
Book Description hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Used - Very Good. Seller Inventory # 3-XXX-5-0086
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780571171873
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. (NB24 OCT21T7AL) edge/point wear, no underlining or highlighting within. Seller Inventory # 0571171877
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Used; Very Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Ripped/damaged jacket. The dust jacket of this book is slightly damaged/ripped, however, this does not affect the internal condition. Seller Inventory # CHL8728708
Book Description Cloth. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Ed. First published in Great Britain in 1994 by Faber and Faber Limited. First printing. Precedes the US edition by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. This is the second novel by Norman who was nominated for a National Book Award for his first novel "The Northern Lights". 289 p. unmarked but yellowed. Black cloth covers with silver lettering on spine. No rubbing. Dust jacket is glossy and shows signs of handling but is unclipped and only slightly ownr at top of spine. Illustrated with still-life painting of dead duck resting on a book. Small photo of author on the back. Original price UK 14.99 pounds. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 000220
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780571171873
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition, First Printing. NEAR FINE+ hardcover book in NEAR FINE+ dust-jacket. NOT marked. NOT price-clipped. NOT remaindered. NOT faded. NOT a b/c. NOT an XL. Some slight shelf rub to shiny dark DJ. All of our dust-jackets are shipped in fresh, archival-safe mylar protective book jacket covers. Seller Inventory # SKU1000491