The Bird's Nest

By: Shirley Jackson, Kevin Wilson - introduction

Narrated by: Linda Jones, Mark Bramhall

Shirley Jackson's third novel, a chilling descent into multiple personalities

Elizabeth is a demure twenty-three-year-old wiling her life away at a dull museum job, living with her neurotic aunt, and subsisting off her dead mother’s inheritance. When Elizabeth begins to suffer terrible migraines and backaches, her aunt takes her to the doctor, then to a psychiatrist. But slowly, and with Jackson’s characteristic chill, we learn that Elizabeth is not just one girl—but four separate, self-destructive personalities. The Bird’s Nest, Jackson’s third novel, develops hallmarks of the horror master’s most unsettling work: tormented heroines, riveting familial mysteries, and a disquieting vision inside the human mind.

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Critic reviews

"Undeniably brilliant . . . superlative entertainment; much the best book Shirley Jackson has written."
—New York Herald Tribune

"Shirley Jackson's best novel.... The Bird's Nest is brilliant, swift, at times immensely funny, and alternately frightening. Shirley Jackson's portrayal of a personality in disintegration is masterful."
—Chicago Tribune

Excellent story and narration

A must-read. A unique and wondrous story, as expected from one of America’s greatest and most insightful authors. Writing this review to call out the excellent and pitch-perfect narration by Linda Jones. I’m a bit precious about Shirley Jackson and was wary that any performer could capture her tone and well, genius. Linda Jones nailed it. Not an easy task with the nature of the main character. Mark Bramhall also performs well, and it was the perfect decision to have the doctor’s passages narrated by a second performer.

Confounding, in a good way

I’ve seen some reviews of this book comparing it to other works of Shirley Jackson. This is a stand alone story, and as such I see no reason to compare it to the story of a burned out manor or to a haunted house. This book toys with mental health, as the others do, but in a more direct manor. The storytelling as done from multiple perspectives was great. It’s confusing enough that you don’t get all the answers you were searching for (because none of the storytellers really had all the answers on there own) but it explains enough for most questions to be answered, or at least inferred, satisfactorily enough. I anticipated answers every chapter, and I had to fight the urge to google search a synopsis of the story. I was surprised when it came to the end of the book, as it came so quickly. I was enthralled the entire time, and it’s made my day fly by. It will be added as a classic to my shelf, right next to the haunting of hill house, which is my favorite story of all. The birds nest has earned its position on this shelf

Very good dialog between the personalities

I guess for its time it was a beautifully crafted story. Now in 2025, we’ve been exposed to many multiple personality stories. It wasn’t as compelling as “Fight Club” for example but it’s a fun story.

Skip the Foreward--Great Book

Foreward contained some spoilers--recommend skipping if you've never read the story. Really should've been an Afterward.

This book had some really strong moments. The author does a great job portraying the descent into madness. She employs a lot of techniques that serve to jar the reader and make you repeatedly rethink your assumptions.

Interesting & compelling characters. The voice actors were great. Especially impressed with the female reader's portrayal of multiple personalities.

One of my favorites from Shirley Jackson

Fascinating story of multiple personalities. A complicated story beautifully wrought. The Bird’s Nest is a forerunner of The Three Faces of Eve.