Skip to main content

Anupama Prakash's Book Review: Bird Song – A Novel of Love and War by Sebastian Faulks

♥♥ This is the first Guest Post on Petals!. I thank Anupama Prakash with all my heart for writing this book review for Petals!  ♥♥

 So, honestly I picked this book for the lame reason that it has been made into a mini-series and was featured on Masterpiece Theatre, a program close to my heart. Masterpiece Theatre, didn’t let me down and Sebastian Faulks’ s page turner outdid expectations.

Starting off pre World War 1 in France, we are quickly entwined in the life of Stephen Wraysford, the protagonist as he settles down as a guest in the Azaire household. Stephen, an orphan, is sent by his benefactor to learn the textile business from Monsieur Azaire. 



Stephen’s character unravels beautifully through the book, subtle personality nuances mingled with straight forward biographical detail, bringing this strong in convictions yet vulnerable in emotions, young man(he is barely 20 when the book begins) to life in our imaginations.

It’s easy to identify and sympathize with Stephen and I cheered him on as he flirts with and then has an affair with the enchanting yet unhappy lady of the house, Isabelle Azaire. 

Madame Azaire, is portrayed as an intrinsically free spirited, independent woman with very little opportunity to explore this side of her personality under first, her overbearing father and then her insecure husband.

Even though Stephen and Isabelle’s love story ends prematurely in the first part of the book, the ferocious intensity of having loved and lost , shapes the rest of Stephen’s experiences so much so that even the horrendous experiences of War are mere events superimposed on this love story. 

I have watched many War movies in the past and have been greatly affected by them but none come close to the emotions of horror Sebastian Faulks dredged up in me. People with weak sensibilities be warned this is not one for the faint hearted. The fears and foibles of ordinary folk, thrust into the extraordinary situation of a war have been dealt with, with brazenness. 

Man’s baser instincts aroused by the need to survive, co- habitating with the immense compassion and love that we are capable of feeling toward our fellow beings have been explored through parallel stories.

The author adds another dimension to this tale of Love and War, by taking the story to the 1970’s where we are introduced to Elizabeth, Stephen’s granddaughter. Elizabeth, is a successful career woman, who is looking for more meaning to her life and decided to delve into the past to begin to find it.

Personally, I was unhappy with this digression by the author. Elizabeth’s character seems like it was hastily thrown together by the author and adds, not sure what, to a book that is already filled to the brim with feelings and emotions.

The book ends with a simplicity that is welcomed after the upheavels of love and loss, death and destruction. Stephen goes on to lead a simple happy life after the War and Elizabeth finds stability and meaning to her life. 

About Anupama Prakash: 'Heard somewhere that in order to be a good writer , the most important quality required is that you be an avid reader, and I'm going with that!'  You can also follow Anupama Prakash on Twitter.



Liked this book review? Then check out these too:
Preeti Shenoy's novel 'The Secret Wishlist'  
♥♥ REQUEST: Please SHARE this article on your favorite social networks. Every share, like or tweet makes me reach out to more people.I am grateful and I appreciate you for doing so. ♥♥
Labels:

Comments

Vishnu said…
Hi Anu - enjoyed reading this review. You've written a solid review covering all the main points. I hope there's more to come!

So just to make sure I got the story right - the protagonist is so heart-broken by his relationship that he finds that he can handle the horrendous experiences of war? That the pain of heartbreak trumps the pain of war? IF this is the case, lol, this is one book I need to read asap!

I don't immediately see why the granddaughter was brough into the book either. Sometimes authors are trying to tie in too many stories together or maybe she was low on the word count:)

Thanks again for this excellent review.
September 1, 2014 at 9:16 PM
Anu Prakash said…
Hey Vishnu, Thanks for the comment. You bring up a good point. I think what the author was trying to convey was the numbness that we sometimes experience when we lose a personal war. The great war does affect him, but at some level he is not surprised at the lows people can skim!
September 2, 2014 at 10:50 PM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Hey Vishnu,

Good to hear your thoughts on Anu's book review - you've nailed the significant points and got the big picture right. As always:)
September 4, 2014 at 10:12 PM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Hi Anu,

Truly enjoyed reading your book review and especially the part where you have cautioned the reader, saying that it is not for people with weak sensibilities or for the faint hearted. Also liked the way you summed it here: "The fears and foibles of ordinary folk, thrust into the extraordinary situation of a war have been dealt with, with brazenness." What a flow!

How soon can you write the next book review.....that's really something I am looking forward to!
September 4, 2014 at 10:14 PM
digital marketing indonesia said…
I was very pleased to find this web-site. I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read.
October 30, 2014 at 5:44 PM
Post a Comment

Most LOVED Posts

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are auspicious for lighting at home. On Fridays, it is considered auspicious to use ghee in a silver lamp. When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. Can we light diya with sunflower oil? No, do not use sunflower oil for lighting diya. Can I use cooking oil to light diya? No, you should not use cooking oil to light diya. Which oil to use for daily diya? Use sesame or gingelly oil for daily diya. What to burn in a diya? Use ghee or sesame oil or mustard oil. Can we put coconut oil in diya? Yes, you can put coconut oil in diya. Which deepam oil is best for poo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room. Cultivating the attitude 'Everything is Divine Prasad', which embodies Prasada Bhakti , is a good way to minimise negative thoughts with regard to one's way of worship.  When we light the lamp in our homes, imagine you are sending out divine love to the world.  When you burn the incense stick, imagine you are burning away all negative karma within each family member and offering it before your Ishta Devata. [READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and  Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku ]                                                     [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay] What Happens When A Diya Goes Off? Many consider it as a 'bad omen'. For a devotee who worships Ishta Devata, everything represents Divine Gra...
Post a Comment
Read more

How To Light Diya: Big Mistakes To Avoid

Wondering how to properly light a diya? What are some common mistakes to avoid while lighting diya at home? As a child, I used to watch my grandmother light the Nilavilakku or the traditional lamp at home. Back then, I didn't understand its deeper significance. [READ: Why Malayalis Light Nilavilakku ] Lighting a diya or a lamp embodies our inner journey from darkness to light. T he transition represents a deep metaphysical truth: the triumph of light over darkness. Are you lighting your diyas wrong? Use these tips! [Source: Pexels.com] How To Properly Light A Diya At Home 1. Never place your diya or lamp on the floor to light it in your pooja room. Keep a Thaali/Plate under it. You can keep a small brass plate under the lamp. Don't use that Thaali/Plate for any other purpose once you use it for this purpose. 2. Don't put your diya or lamp in any place where it is not clean earlier. Before you place the diya or lamp, make sure ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...
181 comments
Read more

Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi: Get it right or let it go

Most people do not understand the importance of chanting the Gayatri mantra because they are not aware of its power. It is only when I began to read Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings that I learned how sacred and powerful the chanting of the Gayatri mantra is.   [Subscribe to my weekly newsletter now]   The Vedas represent the breath of God. The Gayatri mantra is the very basis of the Vedas. Try not to undertake chanting the Gayatri mantra as a light endeavor or as a hobby. It has to be chanted with faith, discipline and purity of mind and body. Be steady with your sadhana if you want to reap the spiritual dividend associated with the Gayatri mantra  and never once hesitate once you decide to do it.  Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra is referred to as Pancha Mukhi, the Goddess with five faces that represent the five pranas or life forces. Here's more on it. .  Also read: The Power of OM  and Dark Night of the Sou...
40 comments
Read more