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The Bird Factory
Luke Gray is happy with the way things are. He’s finally settled into married life with pragmatic, level-headed Julia, free from his family’s absurdities and the chaos of his childhood. Even his mobile-bird factory seems less like a curse he can’t shake. But things change when Julia decides they should have a baby… and nothing happens. A trip to the fertility clinic leads to loosened boxers, hormone injections, and some time alone with a plastic vial and a stack of dirty magazines. How could things sink so far, so fast?
His male pride in shreds, Luke finds himself fending off intrusive questions about his sperm from his mother, and avoiding further involvement in his philandering father’s affairs. And with Julia more and more a stranger determined to succeed, it’s no wonder Luke begins to fantasize about a single, young employee’s bee-stung lips. But when complications put Julia in the hospital, Luke is forced to confront his tangled feelings about family, children, and commitment, and decide what he will, or won’t, do for love.
The Bird Factory is a high-energy, darkly humorous novel about surviving your family and starting a new one, about the stupid things good men do, and why women put up with them. It introduces David Layton as a sharp observer of human fallibility and a striking new fictional voice.
His male pride in shreds, Luke finds himself fending off intrusive questions about his sperm from his mother, and avoiding further involvement in his philandering father’s affairs. And with Julia more and more a stranger determined to succeed, it’s no wonder Luke begins to fantasize about a single, young employee’s bee-stung lips. But when complications put Julia in the hospital, Luke is forced to confront his tangled feelings about family, children, and commitment, and decide what he will, or won’t, do for love.
The Bird Factory is a high-energy, darkly humorous novel about surviving your family and starting a new one, about the stupid things good men do, and why women put up with them. It introduces David Layton as a sharp observer of human fallibility and a striking new fictional voice.
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2005
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About the author
David Layton
28 books6 followersDavid Layton is author of the acclaimed memoir Motion Sickness. David grew up all over the world and now divides his time between Toronto and Barbados.
He is the son of the acclaimed Canadian poet Irving Layton and American author and journalist Aviva Cantor.
He is the son of the acclaimed Canadian poet Irving Layton and American author and journalist Aviva Cantor.
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August 11, 2011Yes, I was excited to read this book because of the Toronto setting, I always am. Pretty much.
This book was okay, but I didn't enjoy it immensly, maybe because I was recovering from wisdom teeth surgery at the time, or maybe because I'm not at the age yet where having children is a THING my peers are into. I'm sure it was great, I just couldn't enjoy it to its best, unforunately. I found a lot of the characters to be quite irritating - bu I guess that's intended. I most enjoyed the Luke's family history, pretty funny actually.
This book was okay, but I didn't enjoy it immensly, maybe because I was recovering from wisdom teeth surgery at the time, or maybe because I'm not at the age yet where having children is a THING my peers are into. I'm sure it was great, I just couldn't enjoy it to its best, unforunately. I found a lot of the characters to be quite irritating - bu I guess that's intended. I most enjoyed the Luke's family history, pretty funny actually.
September 8, 2011
It's written with a degree of humour - The father scenes are quite humourous. Certainly solidly written and a quick page turner. Interestingly, however, for a potentially serious topic, David Layton chose a decidedly light approach. This doesn't always work out. The ending is too conveniently and neatly tied up for it to feel original. Would suggest it as a beach read.
February 12, 2014
Meh.....this book was not that good. I finished it which is am accomplishment to say the least. The location of choice is Mississauga and Toronto but that does not save this book from being a trifle boring. Thankfully it had a happy ending. Bird Factory wasn't the worst book I've ever read but it's up there for boring-ness.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews