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Summary: Connie May teaches us to fly
Review: Connie May Fowler introduces us to a six year old girl, known as Bird because most people refused to believe someone was really called Avocet. Although Bird knows no other life, we readers immediately realise she's trapped in a dreadful existence - alcoholic, emotionally and physically abusive and desperately poor. Not a new story, but certainly not derivitive.We see the cycle of family dysfunction, brought on by lost dreams, violence, poverty, hopelessness and alcoholism from Bird's perspective as she desperately tries to make sense of it all. Adding to her confusion, she tries to find hope in religion, where even that is the cause of a family rift - the children are divided between the Baptist father and Catholic mother, and Bird is devastated when she finds she will never be a Bride of Christ, like her sister. Except for the extremes, Bird's childhood is not that different from many of ours. I'm sure I wasn't the only reader remembering the confusion of childhood, trying to make sense of adults' behaviour, the strange religious stories, and the weird stuff taught at school, wondering why everything that goes wrong is our fault, enduring the cruelty inflicted by other children, desperately longing to be loved and safe. But if we were lucky, we had a warm bed, food on the table, arms that hugged us and told us we were loved. Among the not so fortunate, Bird could take none these for granted. Although there are countless stories of difficult childhoods, deprived by abuse, alcoholism, poverty and endless other dysfunctions, there was something about Bird's voice that rang clear and true - perhaps because it was written from the perspective of a child, rather than an adult's recollection, perhaps because she never asked for pity, perhaps because you always knew someone so gutsy would survive. They say you don't need to have murdered to write of a murder, but as I was reading, I found it impossible to believe this story could be written without experiencing that childhood, and having read your interview with the author, I understand it is at least partially autobiographical. I also thought it would be an excellent choice for Oprah's Book Club, and now realise it was, obviously before I started watching Oprah. I picked up this book while browsing through the library in the (increasingly difficult) search for something I want to read and added it to my stack of books after flicking through and reading a few random paragraphs. What a wonderful accident! Now I've added a new author to my list.
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Summary: Awesome characterization
Review: Bird is so alive and real that a reader wants to take her home and mother her. This is a book that I read years ago and this is a character who still haunts me when I read yet another local news story about child abuse. Connie May Fowler really has captured the scenery of Florida and weaved in some of its darker side into a compelling tale.
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Summary: Lovely Novel
Review: This was the first "Oprah Book Club" book that I read, I am glad that I did. It was a wonderfully captivating story about women and thier relationships with men, daughters and family. I loved it! I would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a moving story.
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Summary: A Child Called 'It'.
Review: ANONYMOUS, MR.ROBERTS, A CHILD CALLED "IT" BY DAVE PELZER "A Child Called 'It'"is a very memorable and interesting book. It is about a boy from childhood to his young teenage years. He has a very fortunate family, two parents, and a younger brother. His life story starts with being favored and spoiled and turns into a horrifying story. Dave's mom has a severe drinking problem. She starts slowly abusing him. The punishments for stupid little things grows bigger and harder. His bedroom got moved to the cellar with a hard wooden box as his bed. If he doesn't clean or do something right, his mom would sometimes make him stick his head in the cleaning bucket. Once it got so bad she had him climb onto the hot stove and lie there. Dave has gone to bed many nights with no dinner. His father knows his wife has a drinking problem and abuses him, but can't do anything about it or who knows maybe she would do it to him. He tries to help or sneak Dave food after dinner but then gets nervous and stops. He says to Dave that it is his problem; he has to learn how to go on and stick up for himself. This story teaches me how fortunate I am. It is a very heart wrenching book, but is also very good!
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Summary: Bird Learns to Soar Despite Obstacles
Review: Bird, a poverty stricken and abused little girl, struggles to find her wings so that she can soar in the heavens like birds and angels to a place where there are happy loving families with no knowledge of fear, anger, and pain. In this tale of a poor Florida family, we find several generations of passed-on abuse, anger, and lost dreams. In a child's reality, this heartbreaking legacy is manifested in feelings of guilt and worthlessness tempered by the daily hope that she will be loved and her parents will stop drinking and fighting. Bird's quest for a spiritiual answer comes not from the Gideon Bible she reads but never gets past the fire and brimstone of the Old Testament to Jesus's love and forgivenes, but from a healer who becomes her friend, confidante and literal savior. Miss Zola is a kind and gentle woman whose own tragedies have made her sensitive to those of others. She, plus a Walt Whitman-quoting biker, bring Bird to realize her own worth. When Bird is able to tell her mother that she loves--and forgives--her, we know she is on the road to recovery, just as we hope the same for her mother whose decision to change realizes the redemption they all need.
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Summary: Before Women Had Wings
Review: I have recently completed reading 'Before Women Had Wings' written by Connie Fowler. It is a 'real life in your face' view of what it may be like to be hopeless and destitute - 'white trash' living within a rural area of the south, or more likely, this story could unfold in virtually any part of the United States. Although the two children are caught in the grasp of a hell all their own, it must be acknowledged: their mother is torn within her own grasp of the Grim Reaper's icy hold. Therefore, out of the only existing resources offered her and a heart wrenching fear to provide, she desperately needs a friend, silently pleading for help to save her children from herself. The novelist leaves little doubt, beyond the obvious socially unacceptable diaseases of mental illness, abuse, and alcoholism, Ms. Jackson must and will survive. Glory Marie, at the very least, has managed to instill this survivalist instinct within Phoebe and Avocet (or perhaps the cruel upbringing provides the instinct)to survive and yet hold love for each other while enduring these excruciating circumstances. One must always remember: Violence begets violence. Ms. Fowler does this 'race' of poor white trash a service, and an exceptional one, by telling this story as it is - with the realistic description of making one feel it; if one doesn't live it. Of making one experience the ache of poverty; if actually they have not. It is a story that is told well, has the ability to emotionally move one to tears and anger within its pages, leaving the color of one's skin irrelevant.
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Summary: unforgettable Bird
Review: This is one of the most touching books I have ever read. I can't think of that sweet Bird without a tear coming to my eye, and it's been over a year since I read the book. This is a must-read for sensitive souls in search of unforgettable characters. Incredibly moving book.
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Summary: Before Women Had Wings
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. If you haven't read it yet, make it one of your books to read, in the new year. This story is told through the eyes of "Bird" a young child and is poignant,and sad, but in the end ,leaves you with a sense of hope. I definetely recommend it.
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Summary: Connie Mae Soars Far Beyond Her Background
Review: Last week, I met Connie Mae Fowler at the Alabama Writer's Conclave. This was tremendously fulfilling for me, as I had just finished her compelling, yet disturbing book. What a delight it was to see how far she had flown from her roots. Connie is a sprightly, gorgeous young lady with a self-effacing, humble attitude. Her lovely presence and speaking voice left us all enthralled to hear "the rest of the story." Bird is, indeed, Connie. Despite the horrific background, I am happy to report that Bird went on to receive a full scholarship and graduated with a Master's degree (4.0 too). Who woulda thunk that poor, little child would soar so high. My heart connected with her golden soul immediately. She - and her writing - is a love. Thanks you, Connie, for being.
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Summary: Never forgotten
Review: I read this book a couple of years ago, and it has never left me. I remember as I was reading about Bird's most vicious beating, I actually had to put the book down as I was crying too hard to see the page. A wonderful book, full of brilliant characters, descriptions and hope.
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