Birdenwheel

by Lindsay Rice

BIRDENWHEEL features an ensemble cast of Deadheads in the 1990s who follow the iconic rock band, The Grateful Dead on their summer tour. Devon Maxwell, ex-con and Deadhead, longs to be a father to his seven-year-old daughter, but her mother tries to keep him away. At the same time, he seeks a metaphysical escape and wants to transform into a raven. He's pulled between his ache to be with Emma, and the wish to fly on his bike across the country or in the skies. Twenty-something Rowen avoids his own grief after the death of his mom by continually following The Grateful Dead. He lures a beautiful teenager, Cass, into the scene with him; she defies her mom as she enters the Deadhead world and navigates her first relationship. But she remains naïve to the complexities of Rowen's escape from grief. Meanwhile, Rowen's grandmother tracks the mystery of an old quilt hanging on the wall of her remote New Mexico cabin. She connects with her musical ancestor from 1890s Appalachia who traveled the country looking for work and directs his influence toward her grandson. As the summer tour progresses, Cass becomes key for Rowen to feel and deal with his grief, and Devon protects his daughter before he can fly away. Stories that seem unrelated in the beginning turn out to be connected in surprising ways as the book reaches its climax. The ties between these characters are just as deep and mystical as the bonds between the dancing strangers in the thrall of great music.

360 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2025

About the author

Lindsay Rice, is a writer, tutor and Deadhead. Lindsay has been writing poetry and prose since middle school and won a National Scholastic Writing Award at a young age. Her poem, “Elementals I” was published in the Green Hills Literary Lantern. Lindsay studied poetry and fiction at The University of Iowa and draws inspiration from her travels and love of music. Birdenwheel is her first novel, and encompasses magical realism and historical fiction. Lindsay is the past president of nonprofit Whispering Prairie Press in Kansas City, MO, and currently resides in Chaffee County, Colorado.

Reviews

[Sherry Ruskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was given to me by a Deadhead friend, who wanted to share it because she said it was the best “Grateful Dead novel” she knew of. As a non-Deadhead, this is probably a book I wouldn’t have picked up on my own, but so glad I did. After reading it, I watched a podcast interview with the author and, no surprise, learned that she writes from experience – she followed the Dead for several years in the early 90s (much to her mother’s dismay she said). She knows the music, she has the vocabulary, she communicates the “vibe”. But added to that experience is a rich literary background, a beautiful writing style, an ability to create memorable characters across generations, and the imagination and skill to bring those characters together in unexpected, and sometimes mind-blowing, ways. In other words, this is a great novel, no Grateful Dead qualifier necessary.

[Kate Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memorable Journey of Characters

Rice’s book is an adventure of the heart and mind. It’s a story about love and growth for all its characters, with the melodic music and happy vibe of the Grateful Dead throughout.

Her writing puts the reader in the heart of mind of each character. You believe in their emotions and struggles as each character moves in time.

I recommend this book to anyone who, especially as a young adult, has searched for their purpose and people. The book is even more engaging if you had Grateful Dead’s American Beauty as a soundtrack during this time!

Mixing reality with the metaphysical, Rice’s book reminds us to engage in our world, our adventures, and the music. I’d love to revisit any of the characters in future. novels.

[Chris Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel. As a 'weekend Deadhead' since the mid 1980s, I always wondered what it would have been like to spend a summer following the band on tour—traversing the country, finding my way to all the shows, forming relationships with all the Heads. Through her storytelling, Lindsay Rice gave me a good taste of all that, but she also took me much deeper. With a compelling narrative that weaves together the individual lives and struggles of each character, she creates a beautiful story that illustrates a deeply human reality that we all must face, captured so poignantly by Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter a half century ago: “That path is for your steps alone.”

[Rachel Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the braided narrative structure of this book, following the lives of five characters over spans of time, and revealing their intersections of lives and experiences as the reader progresses through the book. It captures the essence and vibe of Grateful Dead shows and the band’s unique cult of fans and followers in its late heyday, and will resonate with readers who ever experienced a show. The inner workings of each character’s longings, self-discovery, and emotional journeys are revealed through the author’s lyrical writing style. A measured character study and a beautiful and meditative read.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the blue quilt in the story, Lindsay Rice has crafted and stitched together a cast of memorable characters that are all following different paths and they converge at Grateful Dead shows and on the road to the next one. The descriptions of the scene are not only accurate, but even funnier with the appropriate tour lingo. Each character and place seems to capture our attention, and by the end of the story I didn’t want it to end ! A must read for any adventurer trying to navigate life on their own terms.

[Melinda A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this novel. Prior to cracking it open, I didn’t know much about The Grateful Dead or Deadheads and the insight this book provides is fascinating. The characters stayed with me long after the last page and I even dreamt about them. Lindsay Rice is a gifted writer and a true storyteller. I particularly enjoyed her references to so many of the Dead’s songs within the chapters. As I came across them, I made it a more immersive experience by enlisting Alexa to play them as I read the pages. Looking forward to her future works!

[Steve Salinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ambitious first novel, Birdenwheel creates a situation in which many young people feel disconnected from their families and seek community in the nomadic journeys of Deadheads as they set up camp, survive by selling beer, grilled cheese, crafts, etc. The Dead concerts give them direction, inspiration and an existence which accommodates changing locations with comforting sense of belonging. A real treat for folks who came of age in the 80s and 90s smitten by the music of the Grateful Dead.

[Kathleen Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

From someone who has not been in the Deadhead scene, I feel that the author really draws you in with her descriptions of the characters, the sights, smells, sounds and vibe of being there. The story engages so that you find if not a connection with each character, compassion for their struggles. Ms. Rice should feel very proud of herself and this accomplishment for a first time novelist. This is a great summer read!

[Roberta Bossert · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Birdenwheel" by Lindsay Rice is a wonderful, absorbing novel. It is the kind of book with characters who stay with you long after finishing the book. The book takes you on a journey following the Grateful Dead in the late 80's and early 90's. The descriptive skills and friendships formed gives the reader an intimate picture of what life was like on the road from show to show. Ms. Rice's creative imagination weaves together the individual's stories in surprising ways. I highly recommend this book.

[Debra Jacobsen]

It is a great story that lets you join in the travels and culture of a group as they follow a Grateful Dead summer tour. Along the way friendships and relationships evolve, it becomes a journey of self identity with a touch of magic.