The Bird Hotel

A Novel

By: Joyce Maynard

Narrated by: Joyce Maynard

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Enter the magical world of La Llorona with New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard.

After a childhood filled with heartbreak, Irene, a talented artist, finds herself in a small Central American village where she checks into a beautiful but decaying lakefront hotel called La Llorona at the base of a volcano.

The Bird Hotel tells the story of this young American who, after suffering tragedy, restores and runs La Llorona. Along the way we meet a rich assortment of characters who live in the village or come to stay at the hotel. With a mystery at its center and filled with warmth, drama, romance, humor, pop culture, and a little magical realism, The Bird Hotel has all the hallmarks of a Joyce Maynard novel that have made her a leading voice of her generation.

The Bird Hotel is a big, sweeping story spanning four decades, offering lyricism as well as whimsy. While the world New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard brings to life is rendered from her imagination, it’s one informed by the more than 20 years of which she has spent a significant amount of her time in a small Mayan indigenous village in Guatemala.

As the New York Times said, "[Maynard] has an unswerving eye, a sharply perked ear, and the ability to keep her readers hanging on her words." People Magazine said of her: "Maynard’s spare prose packs a rich emotional punch.”

©2023 Joyce Maynard (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

Review of ‘The Bird Hotel’.

What a wonderful story of love lost, emotional trauma, emotional growth, and forgiveness. The setting, in a. Small village in Central America, was so well described that I might have been there myself. The story is narrated by the author and was sooo well done. Just terrific.

A most beautiful story.

The author has created a world
that we would all want to share
A piece of. The book is filled
with many imaginative characters,
all so interesting to read about.
It will always be one of my most
best loved books.

very real, unusual work of fiction

although it was dark in the beginning, I stayed with it long enough to find the light and then was hooked. a very good listen.

I loved this book

Once I started listening to this book, I could not stop. The writing is gorgeous. There are many stories and characters in this book and they are all beautifully told. I will definitely listen to this again.

Loved this book!

Beautiful,magical story, writing and characters! I was transported to this very special paradise! Loved this book!

Gorgeous, Evocative, Tender, Superbly Paced

I loved this book. I loved hearing about NYC, where I lived for some years, and the San Francisco area, where I lived for more years. Now Joyce's gorgeous writing has me yearning to go explore Central America to find some hippy-fied natural area to live out the remainder of my days. Listen to this book. You will not be disappointed.

And as for her remarks in her Acknowledgments about the cultural appropriation warriors, bravo! Where would our literature be without those writers who have travelled the world and brought back tales of its fascinating denizens? There is room in the literary pantheon for all writers who bring imagination, sensitivity and non-judgmental intelligence to their work.

Interesting characters

I felt like the author did a great job of developing all the characters for the good and the bad of the story. I’d like the idea of the main character finding a family and a home in an unlikely place.

Couldn’t have loved this more!

Loved everything about this story. The visuals were bright as day. Loved that Joyce Maynard narrated. I believe when the author does, one gets a richer experience. Enjoyed from page one to the very last!

My favorite 2023 read!

Don’t hesitate to pick up this exquisite story of joy, sorrow and nature told by Joyce Maynard. Possibly her finest

I loved this book

I loved this magical story of personal loss, fear of love, holding onto pain, and letting go.