Winter Birds

by Jamie Langston Turner

Plain and dutiful, Sophia Hess has lived most of her life without ever knowing genuine love. Her professor husband had married her for the convenience of having a typist for his scholarly papers. The discovery of a dark secret opens her eyes to the truth about her marriage and her husband. Eventually nephew Patrick and his wife, Rachel, take Sophia into their home, and she observes from a careful distance their earnest faith and the simple gifts of kindness they generously bestow upon her and others-this in spite of an unthinkable tragedy they've suffered. Dare she unlock the door behind which she stalwartly conceals her broken heart? An insightful and moving portrayal of the transforming power of love

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Family, Christmas

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Jamie Langston Turner is the award-winning author of seven novels, including Sometimes a Light Surprises, Winter Birds, and Some Wildflower in my Heart, and has been a teacher for more than forty years. She is currently a professor of poetry and creative writing at Bob Jones University. Jamie lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband.

Reviews

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was like a cool and deep drink of clear water. If you are thirsty for essence and not hype, this book will satisfy. Other posters have criticized the first person narration of the telling. Not I. In fact I think it worked for this life's "eyes" quite well. Yes, there are numerous I's in that scenario. But instead of taking away with repetition, I think this centered. Because it is all about the normal, unseen and unattractive individual. One who independently puts one foot in front of the other and aspires for a tomorrow with energy and purposes non-withstanding their year after year lacks. Getting none or little attention and the minimal of any reciprocal loving or encouragements.

The writer is gentle and has lovely descriptive skills. The birds of entry passages - each intro and some of the copy, both simple and yet lyrical. Flowing.

Sophia is elderly and the story is about the relatives who have won the competition to house and care for her in exchange for her inheritance when she dies. She has had no children. The husband she shared for only a small part of her long life, he is missed. But the route of Sophia's life has never been carved out by passion, great attachments, superlative skills, or any "special" quality of heralding experience. The gifts she gave in her work, the motives of "good will" and the acceptances without rancor being huge qualities she absolutely owns- but they are all of that sphere which are universally disregarded.

Many readers, especially the young, will see this book as boring. Sophia's critical and sometimes crabby. And she rarely says the entire truth or an honest reaction when required. Not a kind and loving emoter, choosing to be less than "nice". But she's Sophia. And the role model of Rachel, despite her horrific history, is phenomenal. Turner really did a great job with her. Rarely do you read of such real Christian behavior and purposely directed mindset for her own emotions. Rachel's calmness and deliberation is one of my own goals. Few, few humans can begin to manage it. After decades of telling the very young to "get it all out" and express? It's the opposite of any sense of manners or consideration for others.

So why only a 3 star? Because it is so slow, it is not that kind of book that holds tension or inspires a need to get through the next chapter. You can return to it much later after a long leave. And beyond that length, there is the subject protagonist. Elderly who need to be self-centered for survival and who operate at times under deceptive and/or unkind perceptions and reactions? Not a favorite subject of mine, and with others it must contain more humor than is present in this tale.

Also the black fate of the past for that couple- it put a real pall over the entire. I guess it was a pristine example of how a person or persons COULD overcome such a loss. But it doesn't make for fun reading, despite the deep or philosophy prone passages to generalize it within human condition.

Definitely will read more of Jamie Langston Turner.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine getting an assignment: You must write a novel and include a quote from Shakespeare and an allusion to birdwatching in each and every chapter. Could you do it? I know I couldn't, or that if I did it wouldn't we worth reading, but that's exactly what Jamie Langston Turner has done in this novel, and she makes it look effortless. Of course it helps that her main character is an 80 some year old woman who was married to a Shakespeare scholar and whose main occupation is watching the birds at the feeder outside of her window.[return]Turner, in her usual reflective manner, has this character, named Sophie, observe the world around her with great detail and insight. You wouldn't think an elderly woman who stays at home all day and watches TV would create much of a story, but through Sophie the reader learns about Patrick and Rachel, who are struggling to reconnect with people after the tragic kidnapping and death of their children. They reach out to their neighbors, who have one daughter who is severely disabled and another who is a teenager on the verge of self-destruction. And they also connect with Sam, a black man on parole after being jailed for a burglary attempt. And of course there is Sophie herself, whose own troubled past includes a husband who was shot to death by his son. As Sophie thinks about quotes from Shakespeare and about birds, the reader also sees how God is at work behind the scenes, bringing together unlikely people to form a community and to reveal his love. [return]I highly recommend this book, but read it when you have the time to do some reflection of your own. And you might also be inspired to brush up on your Shakespeare or to do some birdwatching afterwards. After all, who knows what you might learn from it?

[Sonia Schoenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first part of Winter Birds reminded me of Gilead, lots of thoughts, looking back, getting the picture of the main character a little bit at a time. About half-way through the book, the pace picked up and there was a little more action--not much, though, as the main character is an 80-year-old woman. The end of the book lifted my spirits. The writing was beautiful, and the two devises of using a Shakespeare quote for chapter titles and a sentence or two about a bird species at the beginning of every chapter worked better than you would think. All in all, this book was pure delight to read. I'll be thinking about Winter Birds for a long time.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunt Sophia, a former school teacher was married to Elliot. After he died she went to live with her
Nephew Patrick and his wife Rachel. Sophie had her own room with a Tv and a very large window where she could sit and watch the birds come to the feeder near the window. Sophie just was not interested in many things.
When neighbors kept their daughter Mindy out of public school. Aunt Sophie found her niche again, helping Mindy with her home schooling.
Slowly Aunt Sophie began to feel the love that Patrick and Rachel had been giving to her all along.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first pages of Winter Birds, I reveled in well-crafted sentences and multi-dimensional characters. The title of each chapter is a line from Shakespeare, which is a clue that Ms. Turner might not be your average mediocre Christian author. Allusions to scripture and literature are sprinkled throughout the text:

"I have been young, but now I am old. That is the usual course, though I have often dreamed of how it would be to say I have been old and now I am young, to implant my old mind into my youthful body of fifty or sixty years ago.... In matters of money I have been poor, and now I am rich...."

Eighty-year-old Aunt Sophie has come to spend her last days with her nephew Patrick and his wife Rachel. She barely knows them but promises to pay them well to care for her. Since she has experienced only disappointment and betrayal in her relationships, she assumes that Patrick and Rachel care only about her money. She mocks them in her heart for their Christian faith, but slowly learns to appreciate them.

Turner does a masterful job of describing the foolishness of Christianity to an onlooker. In truth, Patrick and Rachel could easily be caricatures, but as the reader becomes acquainted with their faults and griefs, the couple becomes more complex and less easy to pigeonhole. In fact, it is their "foolishness" that changes Sophie's attitude toward them over time.

The book addresses several depressing themes (aging, teen/parent struggles, death, bad marriages), which made it hard for me to keep reading. But as the wounded people in the story reach out to each other, they find healing. Fortunately, the ending is hopeful but not preachy.

[Lynette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't even finish it. It was so boring it made my head hurt to read it.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

A coworker and I talked about reading the same genre books to be able to discuss them and further enrich our Reader’s Advisory knowledge. This book won a Christy Award, and therefore counts as inspirational or Christian fiction. I didn’t have high hopes, but it was actually worse than I expected. The writing was horrible. It was written from a first person perspective, and every other sentence started with “I think…” and then usually followed by some snotty remark. The book is about a grouchy old woman who goes to live with her very Christian nephew and niece. They nephew and niece are nice people, but the main character is so ugly to them for the whole book, that the Christian transformation at the end wasn’t that inspiring. I hated her by then. This book also has both Shakespeare and bird themes running throughout, both used in a very heavy handed way. I am happy to be done with this one.

[Sarah]

I started this book, but since in first-person, present-tense, I decided to skip. I just have such a hard time with books written this way

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably is the best Christian book I have read thus far. The author writes brilliantly and poetically. If you are the type of reader that wants to reflect and see life slowed down, you will so much appreciate this story about an older woman that comes to live out her life with her nephew and his wife. Sophie the older woman has lived life without knowing love or affection, has become somewhat cynical in life. The story is written from her point of view. She uses humor and candor that is very refreshing. She is somewhat consumed by death. She reads the obitituarys every day and somehow applies her life to the poor soul that has passed away. I love that thru her time with her nephew and his wife, she begins to reflect on her life, about love, devotion, and what really matters.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeframe? I’m guessing late 1960s or 1970s judging by the TV programs they were watching
Three main characters:
Sophia Hess: 90-year-old widow
Patrick and Rachel: Her nephew and his wife

Hmmmmm…..I don’t know whether I relished this book. It was different, I’ll give you that.

This is the fourth book by this author I’ve read in the last couple weeks. The first was Some Wildflower In My Heart and I thought it was the most creative, intelligent, fascinating book I’ve read in many years. What writing and what amazing characters.

The next two books were equally well written and kept my interest. But this one?

The good:
The characters are amazing. And by that I don’t mean they were sweet or beautiful or anything about their looks, or temperament. Certainly not, because the main character is a curmudgeonly 90-year-old, overweight, recluse of a woman. What I mean is the author has a way of relating the characters' essence without pausing mid-thought to detail what they are like. It all comes out in pieces as you peek into their daily lives, their phone conversations (or overheard ones, I guess I should say), or their reactions to people, circumstances or things.

Also this author turns conversations into entertainment or thought-provoking moments. Ms. Turner can write something simple and make it profound.

Every chapter and often between chapters Sophia talks about different birds. Not just what she is observing, but something about them that is relevant to the story, either as an analogy or teaching something about their behavior. I mean, I’m not a birder, but it was still fascinating.

Also fun were characters from previous books invited in for one evening, or several times as was the case.

The not so good: It was just odd. The main character, Sophie, is odd; highly intelligent, in fact a professor, but odd. There's a reason for this, and she can be less odd, she just chooses not to. She never does release information about her life to anyone in a way that she can be truly known. She is critical of nearly everyone. She doesn’t trust anyone, so her privacy is significant. She is virtually silent through most of the book. But, throughout the book we're brought into her thoughts, which are extensive.

Her arrangement was that she was to be taken in by a nephew and his wife to take care of her until the day she dies, then they are to receive all of her inheritance. Her nephew’s wife does absolutely everything for her; cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, everything. Yet Sophie barely speaks to them. They try talking to her, but she either doesn’t respond or responds very little. Odd.

In her mind, there is a strong reason for her to not believe in God, or not trust God if He does exist. She hates the fact that she lives in a home where Christians live out their faith. But they were the best of her family, in her estimation, to have to live with. It seems she barely keeps in her disdain for anything having to do with church, prayer or God-talk. Believers are all idiots.

The book isn’t exactly dark, but it’s not lighthearted, I’ll tell you! Maybe that’s why it just felt off to me. Although it was so well written, it wasn’t something I looked forward to picking up again after putting it down…more like I kept reading to finally finish it. Well, that’s harsh, and not entirely true. I really did want to see if Sophie changes while living with these Christians. And in some ways she does, including actually coming out of her room and help with meal prep, etc. And it seems at the end she isn’t as antagonistic toward the bible, but I didn’t see a salvation decision. Maybe I missed it.

Anyway, readers who enjoy fascinating character-study books might really enjoy this. It just wasn’t my favorite, not like the first one I read by this author. However, four stars usually means I like the book. And in a way I did. What I like best is Miss Turner’s writing. She’s easily moved up to my top 10.

[Faithndavid Landon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, contemplative story of an old woman reflecting upon her life and coming to terms with it. The author does an exemplary job at drawing the main character to Christianity without the tedious didacticism so common in Christian fiction. It's a slow, gradual process that feels more realistic. The author's literary allusions are deep and well woven into the story that make a reader want to read the sources of those references to gain richer insights into literature. The characters are believable, likeable, and often humorous. I've read this book numerous times and always leave with peace, joy, and hope.

[Alida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it very clever, the way the author combined quotes from Shakespeare and from a North American bird book all the while making it seemed natural and not forced.

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the overall meaning in the story was lovely. However it was very very slow and I got bored.

[Kris Ludwinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I just love the effortless way that Jamie Turner writes. I have also read her Some Wildflower and Suncatchers, and though I think Some Wildflower barely edges out Winter Birds for me, I just loved this book. And it is one I will think about for a long time to come.

I ended up loving the present tense prose, though I did not think I would like that. Mrs. Turner develops her characters in the most interesting, careful way that causes a reader gradually to care deeply about each one of them. Her prose is lovely, yet spare and not overdone. It is just right in my opinion. As I read, I highlighted various parts where Mrs. Turner clues us into what is developing with Aunt Sophie and the other characters without being overt about it. Simply wonderful! There is so much thought-provoking material (especially about deep issues such as aging, life, death, faith, betrayal, trust, and so on) that is presented in somewhat of an understated way that causes the reader to do further contemplation on his own. So much of the novel that is most sublime is really what is left unsaid and really what is going on in the hearts of the characters that is only touched upon. Mrs. Turner credits much to her readers to do a good deal of the hard work of thinking about these issues on their own, having been provided a wonderful lead line by her characters.

At the end of the book, I felt as though I was leaving an interesting set of friends, and a real-life world of which I would like to learn more about its future. I highly recommend this book, as well as Some Wildflower in My Heart, and urge you to read this fascinating character study and journey into the thoughts and heart of one ordinary person, just like we all are.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, there are some literary novels in the genre dubbed "Christian" and this is one of them. Not sappy nor overly sentimental it's the story of a cynical and disillusioned 80 year old woman, Sophia, a former English teacher who endured a loveless marriage to a cold Shakespearean scholar. She promises her estate to her nephew and his wife is return for room, board, and her care. The couple is deeply religious. He is a pious, long winded know-it-all. His long suffering wife is quietly devoted. Sophia narrates the story and it is buoyed and enriched by Shakespearean quotes and lore about the birds which Sophia studies and enjoys at her feeder. This book may not hold the interest of readers younger than middle age. So much of Sophie' s rumination pertains to the predicaments of aging and her observations are through that lens. An older reader would be much more likely to empathize! The first half of the story moves slowly as the characters are drawn but it's definitely worth hanging in. This would be a good book for a discussion group.

[Chanel Earl]

Below you will find my original review of the book, written right after I read it. I had rated it three stars.

Now, almost exactly two years later, I am raising it to four. This book isn't really fun to read, but it is nice to think about, and sticks with you. Today I was thinking about the family in the book who have a daughter with special needs. They love her so much and treat her so well. I love the example they give of selfless sacrifice and caring. Well done.

------

I respect this book. It is well written and contains many beautiful passages and insights. I love the image of a family with a disabled daughter that they love and serve even though she makes their lives more difficult.

I haven't read a lot of Christian fiction. I think I like fiction that discusses elements of Christianity, but I'm not as taken in with fiction that is labeled as Christian. I can't explain it.

[Jim Hamlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well executed tale of a bitter old woman who has come to live her final days with a nephew and his wife. Told from her point of view, the story is cleverly framed with chapter headings that are lines taken from Shakespeare's works, followed by descriptions of different birds and their behavior. The main character, Sophie, is reading a bird book, and each description is worked into the theme of each chapter.

Winter Birds is a slow read, but there are many gems of human nature scattered throughout. I suspect some would not give it a 5-star rating because of its pace (and "perhaps" because of its constant use of the word "perhaps"). But I found the book a welcome read. Don't give up too early on it. Like Ms. Langston's other works, she always redeems herself in the end without being sappy.

[Carol Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read of 80 year old Sophie's ruminations about her life while living with her nephew and his wife. While perhaps a quite realistic review of many people's lives, it was quite depressing in parts. I found the nephew an unappealing and annoying character who could leave a reader with a very negative impression of Christians, while his wife, Rachael was all a Christian woman ought to be. Sadly, I'm not sure the negative impression wouldn't be the most lasting for some readers. For those who like a happy ending, this story ends with a glimmer of hope, if not a burst of joy.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Jamie Langston Turner's finest novels. I loved Sophie from beginning to end. I won't go into detail, but be sure to read this beautiful book! You will not regret the time it takes to read this masterfully crafted story. It has left me thinking about Sophie and her thoughts long after I turned the last beautiful page.

[Kristin Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Differing from her other books, this is my favorite Jamie Langston Turner book. There is something less formulaic and more personal in it. I read this book when my grandmother was in the winter of her own life. I found myself changing my perspective on life and death in subtle, yet profound ways.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened on this book by chance at the library and found it a very good read. Interesting characters and plot. Really enjoyed the information about different birds at the start of each chapter and how the author wove that information in to the story.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much I enjoy Jamie Langston Turner's writing. She has a nice way with words and a carefully crafted sense of humor. It was nice to see the growth in Sophia and the power of love throughout the course of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Turner has written a rather sad story but I loved it. I am patiently waiting for her to write a new story to challenge my thinking and linger in my heart like this one.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yawner boring story of an old woman who moves in with her nephew. Very little dialogue.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I've ever read.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie Hess is the last of her family. Her parents and both sisters have been gone for some years now. Reduced to the realization that she will soon be cast upon others for her aging body, she comes up with a solution (after all, she *does* have her pride). Sophie will *not* resort to a nursing home and so she sends out letters to extended family; ‘two nephews, two nieces, and one great-niece’ – offering in exchange ‘my money for their food and shelter’. After travelling to each home and a short stay, she chooses to board with her nephew Patrick and his wife, Rachel.

“Patrick’s words come back to me: ‘It was less than a week later that we received a letter from my aunt Sophie concerning her need for retirement accommodations.” I turn around to look at the living room of my retirement accommodations. What a grandiose term for such a house. I take in the old piano, the faded pink sofa, the large framed print of a lighthouse, the worn braided rug, the small tacky Christmas tree. Yet I prefer the retirement accommodations here at Patrick’s house over those in what they call a ‘home’ or a ‘facility’.”

Sophie’s life has not been ideal. She holds no pretensions about humankind: her dislike of Patrick and his verbiose self-absorption is all too evident. She does seem to like Rachel a little better, but her initial thoughts are revealing: “I know that Rachel cannot be as good as I imagine her to be. One does not live to be eighty and still harbor delusions about the fundamental goodness of mankind.”

Some readers may call this novel depressing. If the focus were only on aging, musings upon past resentments and bitterness, the hurts dealt upon us from those we love, and the slow passing of the days with television shows for company and only our meals to look forward to, we might agree. However, as the story progresses, Sophie’s life begins to unfold. Each memory is peeled back layer by layer and the reader begins to appreciate her character, her humor (although quite sarcastic at times), and her resilience. Yes, Sophie at first does seem bitter and resentful. She is certainly not optimistic nor outgoing, and she tends to avoid conversation with her caregivers, neighbors, and even those sitting next to her at the dinner table. But as we learn more about both Rachel and Sophie, their story leads to an appreciation of the surprises life itself holds in store.

Rachel has her own hurts to overcome, with a recent tragedy shadowing her days. Rachel's character, though, in contrast to Sophie (although her losses are huge), is never objectionable. Although she has trouble sleeping at night (and who wouldn't in her circumstances), she is never mean-spirited and doesn't seem to tire of bringing Sophie her meals or washing her clothes (perhaps unrealistic? nonetheless, admirable). Patrick steps in occasionally and orders Rachel to ‘take a nap’ and then Sophie must endure his tiresome company at lunch time.

When neighbors move in next door complete with disabled child and a troubled teenager, Sophie, a retired teacher, is called upon to help tutoring and life begins to change for both her and Rachel.

I love all of this author’s writing, and although this book is a little slow-moving at times (there is a lot of soul-searching and musings), I marvelled at the author’s clever twists and references to literature. Not a fast or light read, but not overly dramatic either, “Winter Birds” is insightful (the birds that Sophie watches at her bird feeder each day correlate with the events in each chapter), with hidden nuggets of meaning for the reader to find in both plot and personality. This book won yet another Christy award (the author's first Christy Award for “A Garden to Keep”) and Publishers Weekly lists “Winter Birds” among the best 100 books of 2006.

If you are looking for a thoughtful, quiet read with hidden lessons to be uncovered, you will enjoy “Winter Birds”.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a fast-paced page turner, this is not the book for you. If you want to read with the intent of pondering passages and taking the time to absorb deeper meanings, than this is the perfect book to read. It has a slow pace and almost journal-like quality, which cause it to be a gentle expansion of revealing the next occurence in the storyline. The softly muted cover depicts the inner story quite well.

Sophia, the 82 year old woman lived a long life without real love from either parents, siblings, spouse, or friends. This caused her to become hardened towards the good relationships and beautiful things that can surround us. But as Spohie lives with a nephew and his wife in her old age, she comes to soften, allowing growth to occur, as she leans into learning to be loved. The slow and thoughtful verbage reflects on how change happens in real time.

I love how every single chapter uses Shakespeare passages, notes about birds, and Reader's Digest articles to all coincide together in bringing the experiences and memories Sophia has into a fleshed-out story. The cohesiveness is truly to be admired here.

While it did take a while to finish this book, and it even took me a while to warm up to the writing style, in the end I can see how the author was very wise in how she attempted to show that lonliness, bitterness, and trauma can be melted into sweetness through real, extended, daily, loving actions. I give this book 3 and a half stars.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the author's writing quite intriguing, including a snippet about birds and a Shakespearean reference in virtually every chapter. If you are fond of books that tell multiple characters' perspectives, this is not your book. If you are looking for "action," this is not your book. However, if you are content to hear an older woman's story -- what has happened in her life including the good, bad and ugly -- then you might like that Sophia Hess tells you in no uncertain terms how SHE sees the world.
There is an overriding sadness to the book, with a sprinkle of humor here and there, but at some point Sophie does recognize Rachel's kindness and her own trust in those around her. To "trust" again after her horrible discovery of her husband's deviance, that's a big step for someone 80 years old.
Aunt Sophie's interest in town names across the country was a fun twist, and I happen to be listening to Bill Bryson's book on The Mother Tongue which also includes a listing of humorous American town names, besides all the oddities of the English language.
The storyline is probably only about a 2 rating, but the characters and writing still kept me entertained.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia, I believe, is the winter bird of the story. At age 80 and widowed, she moves in with her nephew Patrick and his wife, Rachel. Ten to fifteen years prior, Rachel and Patrick's son and daughter were kidnapped from the zoo while on an extended family trip. They were found, but not alive. This gigantic loss figures into the relationship between Rachel and Patrick. Sophia observes this from her "apartment" within their house.
It is ordinary, everyday kindnesses that Sophia observes in Rachel and, somewhat, in Patrick. Having led a life devoid of love, Sophia is challenged daily by all that she sees and feels.

[LeslieandJoe LaCava · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t think too much of it. For a ‘Christian’ book it was very depressing and negative. The believing husband was made to look like a buffoon. There wasn’t even closure at the end about the aunt. Did she believe or not? And I am not a fan of reading about certain sins that encourage the mind to go to bad places. Doesn’t seem in keeping with the institution she works/ed for. Not interested in reading more of her work.