Ostrich

by Michael A. Thomas

Nevada sheep rancher Sabine Eckleberry’s life is in shambles. His wife has decamped to Arizona to run a dog-grooming business; his youngest daughter needs a husband; his irrepressible son VJ wants to turn the ranch into an ostrich-breeding operation; and the wild burros he has adopted to guard his sheep can’t get along with their charges. Now his family and friends are about to descend on the ranch to celebrate Sabine’s seventy-second birthday. The ranch is soon a chaos of budding and blighted romances, mistaken identities, rampaging poodles, runaway sheep, schemes of seduction and sudden wealth, and a newly hatched ostrich chick in search of love. Novelist Michael A. Thomas has created a cast of memorable human characters, a supporting cast of realistic animal personalities, and a colorful setting in Nevada’s rangeland. His keen ear for dialogue and his perfect timing support a plot as complicated and satisfying as a Shakespearean comedy.

Genres: Fiction, Humor

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dysfunctional Eckleberry family is coming together for their dad's 72nd birthday party on the family sheep ranch. Along with wild grandchildren, outspoken children, family friends, and his separated wife's new companion, Sabine has to deal with his son's impulsive attempts to turn the family ranch into an ostrich-farming operation. Topped with an attempt at humor, I give this two stars. It was not my style at all and I did not enjoy the disorganized way it read.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of people told me this was funny, but I didn't think so. Okay, they were just two people, and one was missing a tooth, but whatever.

[Kkraemer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book can best be described as a Shakespearean comedy mated with A Fish Called Wanda. Fairly lunatic. Very western.
A family gathers for the Basque patriarch's 72nd birthday. Included are a distant wife, 3 daughters, a ne'er-do-well son, a fat friend, a old macho military reject, 7 grandchildren, 4 poodles, 20 sheep, 4 donkeys, an ostrich, and a parrot. Others join in minor roles. The Nevada desert is a character, as is that capitalist retirement community, Scottsdale. Basque separatists, wool, and Mary Kay cosmetics are discussed.
Quite a ride.

[Radine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Michael Thomas. The author has a keen understanding of animals. Mr. Thomas understand human behavior and has a great sense of humor. The characters in this book come alive and are hilarious. Getting an understanding of the crazy people who would want to keep ostriches and finding out more about the behavior of ostriches is fun. I have had the experience of being a volunteer keeper in training at the Los Angeles zoo. Although I never did become an animal keeper, taking care of them and learning about them brings me great joy. Learning about ostriches in this book was fun.

I always enjoy reading books by Michael Thomas. I highly recommend this book!

[Jamie Marfurt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the writing style and characters for the most part, but the storyline was kind of all over the place. Too scattered and frantic. I would find myself enjoying the humor for a bit, and then I'd find myself annoyed by the over-the-top silliness...

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hilarious book, it had me laughing out loud. Simple story of a prodigal son and his zany sheep-herding, poodle-grooming, donkey-loving family, plus ostriches, of course.

[Daryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got off to slow start. But a fun read once it got going. I liked the authors writing style. I like how he brought all of the animals into the story. Lots of smart humor.

[Ak · Rating 4 out of 5]

bought mainly because of my LLF Tom's ostrich misadventures, but quite enjoyed it. zany

[Amie Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh. I loved the animal characters as well as the humans. The author is insightful. I will look for other titles by Michael A.Thomas

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fluffy reading but it made me laugh out loud. Similar writing style to Dave Barry. Almost slap-stick humor. Lots of potty humor, silly romance, but fun to read.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I now want to get a baby ostrich.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas gets the quirkiness of animal behavior right on the money. Everything from dogs to donkeys, to ostriches and humans. Very funny; exactly what I needed.