The Bird's Nest

By: Shirley Jackson, Kevin Wilson - foreword

Narrated by: Linda Jones, Mark Bramhall

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

Elizabeth is a demure 23-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.

For more than 70 years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers and listeners trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

©2014 Shirley Jackson (P)2022 Penguin Audio

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)

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

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.

Loved this!

Shirley Jackson is one of a kind! I had never heard of this one before and I’m so glad I discovered it. The reader was also excellent.

Great audio version

I read The Bird’s Nest years ago, as a fan of Shirley Jackson, but it was never my favorite of her works. I loved it this time. It is really great as an audiobook. Both narrators captured/delivered Shirley Jackson’s humor in their portrayal of the doctor and aunt. It’s dated enough at this point to be a period piece by now, but the topics of mental illness and trauma are as relevant as ever.

Classic Shirley Jackson!

Shirley Jackson writes beautifully even if it’s about mental illness and split personalities. It’s a long, slow burn so patience is required. But really good. Dual narrators are excelling and a perfect match to the characters.

No twist

This book dragged on for hours. The only character enjoyed was Mr Wright. I waited for a twist that never came…

RIVETING!!

Stephanie Harmon
September 2023

What a story!! I would so love to know what the main character is doing now. I feel somewhat protective of her.
Jackson’s narrative talent and skill are impeccable!! The book’s narrators are magnificent!!

Shirley Jackson's finest

I chose 5 stars because I couldn't put this one down . I listened ALL DAY while I was getting ready in the morning , while driving to work , while I was working , and when I was getting ready for bed at night .

You can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man

Wouldn’t recommend

A long arduous trip to nowhere. All of the characters were very “one note” and the ending very unsatisfying.