Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen is an adult magical realism novel.
On the South Carolina coast, there is a quaint little island, once famous for it's marshmallow factory and now a tourist hotspot thanks to one unforgettable novel. On this island of cobblestones, twisting streets and delightfully sneaky little birds is nestled a small horse-barn turned apartment building, where eighteen-year-old Zoey has come to reconnect with her deceased mother, before starting her first year of college.
At the Dellawisp, named after said sneaky birds who make the complex their home, lives a quiet chef, a henna artist with a secret, two estranged sisters, and three ghosts. Add Zoey and her invisible pigeon and we've got a recipe for disaster.
When one of Zoey's new neighbors dies, she takes it upon herself to uncover the woman's secrets. And as she does this, Zoey begins to realize that everyone has a story to tell but not all of them are ready to tell it.
I love just about all of Sarah Addison Allen's books. Just like her other books, this story was full of heart and just enough magic to make you feel like anything is possible. That's my favorite part of magical realism; when it is done right, you don't question it because there's enough mystery in the world that just maybe, there's magic too.
Mac and Charlotte's stories were definitely my favorite of the bunch. Separately, I was intrigued but together, I was invested. They really made the book for me. There is also something about a found family or a family forged, that I adore.
This was a really good read. I give it 4.5 stars.
That's all for now!
-M-