These “chronicles” are a very sweet connection of a woman with her feathered neighbors. The artwork in this journal is astounding. The details all the way down to the tiny toes are a reminder that anyone with any background can take the time to slow down and acknowledge nature.
This isn’t written in the normal chapter book style with a clear beginning, middle, and end. However, as the drawings and encounters progress, the reader begins to see the growth of the author as a person and as an artist. I did feel a little bit of a lag in the middle waiting for the “wow” moment before I realized this isn’t like an ordinary novel. If you slow down and read a couple entries a day, it feels exactly like reading a journal, which I assume is what Tan was intending all along.
Keep this book with you as a daily reference or bedside nightly read. And take your time. This isn’t one of those that you want to speed through. This is great for those first starting out with bird ID or just an itch to change career paths. Tan’s book is an invitation to pursue your dreams whether you feel “qualified” or not.
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