Friday, November 14, 2008

Review: In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld


About the Book: At 34, Scarlet Kavanagh has the kind of homecoming no child wishes, a visit back to family and dear friends for the gentle passing of her mother, Addie, a famous bird artist and an even more infamous environmental activist. Though Addie and her husband, ornithologist Tom Kavanagh, have made their life in southeastern Pennsylvania, Addie has chosen to die at the New Jersey home of her dearest friend, Cora. This is because the Kavanagh's ramshackle cottage is filled with too much history and because, in the last ten years or so, and for reasons that are not entirely clear, even bird song has seemed to make Addie angry, or sad, or both. Now, in their final moments together, Scarlet hopes to put to rest the last tensions that have marked their relationship.

My Review: This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love to read. I read many books, and enjoy most of them, but every once in awhile one comes along that uses something completely unknown to me (bird song and birds in general) to explore familiar life themes and relationships. I love that in a book, because it allows me to learn something and see things through new eyes.

But this book is even more than that. It's so completely gorgeous from it's very unique and beautiful cover to the the prose and rich characters. This story is told in a fragmented timeline, alternating between Addie's field journals and various character points of view and through conversations. But it's the kind of book I didn't want to put down and couldn't wait to get back to, because I needed to revisit these characters and see why their lives had taken the directions they did and how they continued to deal with it.

Exploring family relationships and the conflict between artistic passion and family love, this book takes us deep inside the lives of all three Kavanaghs and by the end I felt I knew these people. I also sort of wanted to go bird watching. Highly, highly recommended.

Joyce Hinnefeld has a pretty fantastic website here. You can read some sample chapters and find a playlist there and everything. Dawn of She is Too Fond of Books has a great post about the cover art at Unbridled Books here.

If you are participating in the Buy Books for the Holidays campaign, I think this book would make a FANTASTIC gift. It's the perfect kind of book to gift, because it is so beautiful in and of itself. But also it's such an enjoyable and touching read, that your recipient is sure to enjoy it. Go buy it now.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oooh, this one sounds good. We love birds so I need to read this to see how the author used birds in her book. Thanks for the review!

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

This was on my Friday Finds list a few weeks back, but yours is the first review I've seen of it. It definitely sounds good!

caite said...

It is a beautiful cover, isn't it? I know the whole "don't judge a book by it's cover" thing but still...
And then there is the fact that it is set in NJ. I am curious to see how she paints our wee state. Perhaps I need to start a Christmas wish list.

Sandra said...

I reviewed this book in September and I agree absolutely. And it's a beautiful-looking book too and would be an excellent gift. This was the one review copy I did not give away but kept for myself and that says a lot. I reviewed it here if it interests anyone:
http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/in-hovering-flight-by-joyce-hinnefeld.html

Michele said...

Sounds like a good one. Thanks for the review. I will think about buying it for my mil and sneaking in a read myself! LOL

Serena said...

I've seen this book around. It sounds like a great read. I have some others from unbridled books, like Freeman Walker.

Michele said...

What a gorgeous cover. I freely admit to having purchased books on the basis of their cover art alone! ;)

kalea_kane said...

I love the way you describe this book! I would love the chance to read something that gives me some new insights. :) I'll keep this in mind!

Anonymous said...

I just posted my review tonight - what a wonderful book! I had to let it "digest" for a few days before I could write the review; my single word to describe *In Hovering Flight* is "beautiful."

avisannschild said...

Wow, Amy, I was interested in this book before, but your review has made me realize that I know just the right person for this book! (That came out backwards, I mean that this book will make a perfect gift for someone I know.) And then I can borrow it from her... Great review!

Anna said...

This book is in my TBR pile. Glad to hear you liked it. I've heard such good things about it.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to comment! I appreciate hearing your thoughts.