Birdy by William Wharton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Birdy
Book Review: Classic Tale of Friendship
Summary: 5 Stars
"Birdy" has been often compared to such novels as Heller's Catch-22, the tendency for the book to be read as a war novel was strengthened by the movie based on the novel in 1985, directed by Alan Parker, which moved the time of its action to the days of the Vietnam War. The book, however, concentrates on the issues of adolescence, growing up, and reaching maturity.
"Birdy" tells a story of two friends Al and Birdy who met in pre-war Philadelphia and who friendship survives the war when Al is invited to a mental ward where Birdy is kept after his traumatic war-time experiences which which brought about his mental-breakdown. The reader becomes gradually acquainted with their adventures in flash-backs and witnesses Birdy re-awakening.
The book rings true both a nostalgic description of the pre-war working class US which no longer exists, a chronicle of friendship and a description of mental disorder. Must read - you can follow the reading with the movie and there is Peter Gabriel's CD to accompany the novel!
Book Review: Enchanting Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book, this novel was apart of my major assignment where I contrast the novel with it conterpart (the movie) I found the novel to be touching. A test of life, and true friendship.Book Review: I can't get through it.
Summary: 2 Stars
I will quickly say that although this is somewhat of an acclaimed book I can't seem to get through it. This has been one of the few times in my life that I couldn't finish a book. It's so uneven I couldn't follow the plot. I will say this: this book is different and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a friendship story and a good one in the sense that it's unlike a conventional one. I just can't seem to digest what the author is getting at.(Hey, I didn't go to Harvard and I'm not going to pretend that I know everything under the sun.) I'm sure others will love this book, I didn't. I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt and give two stars because I didn't finish it. I don't know...Book Review: I loved this book... so unique
Summary: 5 Stars
Thats right. One of the best books I have ever read. I have already purchased some 5 copies for my friends - to share the beauty of the book with them too. Its a masterpiece.The depth of description about a bird, and its daily life, is described here in a way I have come across before. But thats not what its all about. There are many concepts discovered here, and it makes the reader ponder. Issues such as war, friendship, love, dreams, insanity and sanity.
I especially got involved in Birdy's dream. I am a bit of a dreamer too. He goes onto explore the fact that maybe we living now, is a dream. And the dream that both you and I will have tonight, is actually our real life. I liked this view.
Buy the book, its very much out of the ordinary, and I hope you really enjoy it as much as I did! Happy Reading!
Book Review: If any book lingers in your mind its this one.
Summary: 5 Stars
I just happened upon this book in my school's library one day last week. I decided to get it out if only because my own facination with flight seemed somewhat similar to the storyline. I read the whole thing that day, and I still can't get it out of my mind. I went back to the library maybe hoping for a sequel (I always do that), but since there was none I got out the only other Wharton books they had: Dad and A Midnight Clear. While they were both great books and I enjoyed them greatly (even though I'm usually a strictly scifi fan and this really far from my range), none of them are even half as good as Birdy. Theres something about that book that makes you think about it long after you've turned the last page. Now I need to get the movie.