Other Birds

A Novel

By: Sarah Addison Allen

Narrated by: Siiri Scott

From the acclaimed author of Garden Spells comes a tale of lost souls, secrets that shape us, and how the right flock can guide you home.

Down a narrow alley in the small coastal town of Mallow Island, South Carolina, lies a stunning cobblestone building comprised of five apartments. It's called The Dellawisp and it's named after the tiny turquoise birds who, alongside its human tenants, inhabit an air of magical secrecy.

When Zoey Hennessey comes to claim her deceased mother's apartment at The Dellawisp, she meets her quirky, enigmatic neighbors including a girl on the run, a grieving chef whose comfort food does not comfort him, two estranged middle-aged sisters, and three ghosts. Each with their own story. Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn't yet written.

When one of her new neighbors dies under odd circumstances the night Zoey arrives, she's thrust into the mystery of The Dellawisp, which involves missing pages from a legendary writer whose work might be hidden there. She soon discovers that many unfinished stories permeate the place, and the people around her are in as much need of healing from wrongs of the past as she is. To find their way they have to learn how to trust each other, confront their deepest fears, and let go of what haunts them.

Delightful and atmospheric, Other Birds is filled with magical realism and moments of pure love that won't let you go. Sarah Addison Allen shows us that between the real and the imaginary, there are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways.

©2022 Sarah Addison Allen (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The wistful sweetness in Siiri Scott's narration perfectly complements the small-town South Carolina setting of this audiobook.… Scott movingly depicts each character's hesitant yet hopeful path to friendship and, in some cases, romance. Scott employs light accents and adeptly softens her tone or deepens her pitch to portray every character—male or female, young or old, local resident or transplant.… Scott creates an absorbing, atmospheric listening experience.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Siiri Scott's engaging narration accompanies listeners as the story moves from past to present, revealing the residents' backstories and introducing ghosts, both symbolic and literal.… Scott sensitively takes listeners through the twists and turns in each resident's story, ending on a hopeful note. With ghosts that are comforting rather than frightening, this story, gently laced with magical realism, weaves a charming spell. With its underlying theme of resilience and growth, Allen's (First Frost) latest will have wide appeal. A great match for book clubs.”—Library Journal (starred review)

"The biggest challenge for the reader is to try to not turn the pages so quickly in order to extend the fun. ... An outstanding reading experience. Readers who enjoy a Southern story, a touch of the unexplained, and works by Fannie Flagg and Karen White will all be delighted by this novel."—Booklist (starred review)

Another lovely book by Sarah Addison Allen!

"Other Biirds"- a bit of magic, a bit of drama, and strong human connections

Delicately magical

This story suspends reality but remains grounded. Well written characters with pasts that haunt them. I love her writing.

a long awaited story

Definitely one to read/listen to if you believe every person has a story that they hold inside them.
Once again Sarah Addison Allen gracefully draws us into an enchanting story of complex characters with a magical twist.

And the reader marvelously gives each character a compelling voice.

Simply complicated

No cursing, interesting setting and characters with surprising twists, surprising heroines, surprising ghosts….I hate to leave the island.

Beautiful story

Really nice story with many twists and turns. Leaves you with a deeper appreciation for those who love and care about you.

Loved it

This is a wonderfully sweet tale about a group of people who needed connections and the connections they found on quirky Mallow Island. One thing i have always loved about Allen’s books is her characters. She always created complex characters that are so likable and dynamic.

Absolutely Lovely!

What an enchanting story! No doubt Sarah Addison Allen has a true gift in storytelling. <i>Other Birds</i> touches on so many different aspects of the human experience: growing up, growing old, family drama, second (and third) chances, it's absollutely lovely.

Siiri Scott does a marvelous job with the audio version.

Fine, but not garden spells

When I purchased this book, I was hoping to be swept away again by Allen’s style as shown in her book Garden Spells, but this one left me with a meh feeling. Also, one of the ghost characters was so annoying, that I almost turned it off. I don’t know if this was because of the performance or because of the writing. If you haven’t read Garden Spells, go buy that one instead.

Pure Joy!

Finding where you belong and people that care about you is at the center of this beautiful story.

A Little Scattered

It’s been a while since I read a novel from Ms Allen. This story seemed scattered to me with far too many characters. It lacked a central theme and a clear protagonist. Ew, Garland is my least favorite. What an idiot. I guess, it’s about the family you choose and the wounds that get healed through love.
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