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Birdy Flynn
It is the summer and a group of children are playing down by a stream when they do a terrible thing. Something that Birdy tries unsuccessfully to avert. While the other children in the gang find it easy to forget what they have done, Birdy is trapped in the moment and feels bound to do something to make amends. But how does a child face up to responsibility and find the courage to do the right thing?
An uncompromising and uniquely powerful novel about growing up, making friends and being true to yourself.
An uncompromising and uniquely powerful novel about growing up, making friends and being true to yourself.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 16, 2016
Birdy Flynn was not the book I anticipated. It’s set in 1982 with The Falklands War, the Pope visit and the Hyde Park & Regent’s Park bombings in July that year all impacting Birdy’s life to some extent. Particularly the bombings which, as most of Birdy’s family is Irish, has aftershocks.
Initially I thought this story was a contemporary book, so it took me a moment to readjust. Because of the timeline of Birdy’s story, the narration presents extra obstacles. Birdy says that ‘nobody listens to children.’ Teachers are presented as uninterested (distracted by funding cuts and politics) so when Mrs. Cope is nice to Birdy it’s like a horrible trap.
Birdy’s family is a mess but also loving. With Birdy’s mother working shifts to keep everything together, while Birdy’s father rages at the world. Birdy’s parents don’t know what to do with Birdy. They love their child but don’t understand. Telling Birdy to dress like a girl and be more like Birdy’s sister is heart-breaking to read. Yet at other times they (especially Birdy’s mother) have moments when they do wonderful things. Ultimately though Birdy doesn’t trust that they can be told secrets.
The writing is descriptive and I felt that the pacing was gentle; it matched the world I’d pictured for Birdy. Sometimes I pick up YA books and think they could just as easily been in the Adult section of a bookstore, I think Birdy Flynn is such a crossover book. It would appeal with both audiences.
There is a lot in Birdy’s story. It’s not just Birdy’s secrets that are important or the things that happen to Birdy. It’s the whole environment Birdy is growing up in, the family, all the other secrets. It did take me a while to become immersed in this book but by the end my emotions were just as tied up as Birdy’s.
Initially I thought this story was a contemporary book, so it took me a moment to readjust. Because of the timeline of Birdy’s story, the narration presents extra obstacles. Birdy says that ‘nobody listens to children.’ Teachers are presented as uninterested (distracted by funding cuts and politics) so when Mrs. Cope is nice to Birdy it’s like a horrible trap.
Birdy’s family is a mess but also loving. With Birdy’s mother working shifts to keep everything together, while Birdy’s father rages at the world. Birdy’s parents don’t know what to do with Birdy. They love their child but don’t understand. Telling Birdy to dress like a girl and be more like Birdy’s sister is heart-breaking to read. Yet at other times they (especially Birdy’s mother) have moments when they do wonderful things. Ultimately though Birdy doesn’t trust that they can be told secrets.
The writing is descriptive and I felt that the pacing was gentle; it matched the world I’d pictured for Birdy. Sometimes I pick up YA books and think they could just as easily been in the Adult section of a bookstore, I think Birdy Flynn is such a crossover book. It would appeal with both audiences.
There is a lot in Birdy’s story. It’s not just Birdy’s secrets that are important or the things that happen to Birdy. It’s the whole environment Birdy is growing up in, the family, all the other secrets. It did take me a while to become immersed in this book but by the end my emotions were just as tied up as Birdy’s.
February 19, 2017
It's 1982 and there are bombs going off in London. Birdy Flynn is Irish and a girl, who might rather be a boy, and this complicates her coming of age struggles. Her family is a little dysfunctional, and everyone has secrets of their own. Birdy is unable to confide in anyone and the secrets she carries become a heavy burden. The writing is good. It is sometimes a little rough and disjointed, but in a way that conveys the disjointed or confused thinking of a young teen. I liked the end a lot. Not everything was solved, but Birdy finds out who is really there for her, and she makes friends with a girl who likes her for who she is. There is a sense that things are looking up for Birdy.
February 13, 2017
I received an Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing of Birdy Flynn. I don't know how many times I have started and stopped this book, but I can't get past the cat. Maybe I should have realized it would be a big part of the story after reading the back cover, but I didn't. I finally forced myself through the torture and drowning (not a spoiler - it's on the back cover) and thought that would be it and I could keep reading. It wasn't and I couldn't. Really disappointed.
April 14, 2019
This book was a little confusing, and a little heart breaking. After a surprisingly brutal opening scene, I spent at least the first half of the book thinking Birdy was a boy. Which I think was the point, because even though (s)he exists in a female body, Birdy IS a boy. It's not a story you get to read very often, but it was well written and affecting. Birdy Flynn is a story of secrets, and conflict, and a character at the centre who is just trying to figure out who they are.
May 29, 2017
Nope can't do it. Just mention of animal cruelty turns my stomach.
February 8, 2017
Birdy Flynn follows a 12 year old girl (Birdy Flynn) growing up in 1982 London during the IRA bombings. The story starts out with the family cat being tortured by her group of male friends, and Birdy feels powerless to stop it. When the boys take off, she puts the cat out of her misery, and this secret tortures her throughout the novel.
Then there are more secrets. Because Birdy is taken advantage of by a teacher she once really liked, and Birdy doesn't feel quite like a girl should feel. She does not like to be called "young lady" and when mistaken for a boy, she feels a secret thrill inside.
No longer friends with the group of boys, Birdy tries to find her way on her own, carrying secrets and guilt, and the discomfort of not being on the outside the way she feels on the inside. She makes an effort to be the way she is "supposed" to be, but it only gets her into more trouble.
The time and place "Birdy Flynn" is set in adds to the confusion the character felt in this coming of age story. I liked the dynamic between Birdy and Kat, the "Gypsy Girl" Birdy is fond of. As their budding friendship develops, the novel becomes more poignant and I found myself really rooting for the main character to find peace with herself, to let go of her burdens.
Her relationship with her father is a difficult one, and her mother carries a secret of her own, which is hinted at in the middle of the book, but doesn't come out until much later. I also liked the character of Eileen, Birdy's big sister, another one with secrets of her own. I found her interesting and mysterious, and I liked finding out more about her.
Birdy Flynn is about the relationships between family members, identity, growing up, friendships, and the self inflicting pain that comes with keeping secrets. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good coming of age story.
Then there are more secrets. Because Birdy is taken advantage of by a teacher she once really liked, and Birdy doesn't feel quite like a girl should feel. She does not like to be called "young lady" and when mistaken for a boy, she feels a secret thrill inside.
No longer friends with the group of boys, Birdy tries to find her way on her own, carrying secrets and guilt, and the discomfort of not being on the outside the way she feels on the inside. She makes an effort to be the way she is "supposed" to be, but it only gets her into more trouble.
The time and place "Birdy Flynn" is set in adds to the confusion the character felt in this coming of age story. I liked the dynamic between Birdy and Kat, the "Gypsy Girl" Birdy is fond of. As their budding friendship develops, the novel becomes more poignant and I found myself really rooting for the main character to find peace with herself, to let go of her burdens.
Her relationship with her father is a difficult one, and her mother carries a secret of her own, which is hinted at in the middle of the book, but doesn't come out until much later. I also liked the character of Eileen, Birdy's big sister, another one with secrets of her own. I found her interesting and mysterious, and I liked finding out more about her.
Birdy Flynn is about the relationships between family members, identity, growing up, friendships, and the self inflicting pain that comes with keeping secrets. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good coming of age story.
January 5, 2024
This was an honestly heartbreaking read; it surprised me by how much it triggered me. Birdy Flynn had so many themes going on, gender diversity, racism/prejudice, molestation, animal torture, family distruption. A book with just one of those themes would be a massive undertaking to read, let alone all of them!
As a trans person I heavily related to Birdy Flynn's complicated feelings around gender, and the complicated feelings that Birdy's family and friends had for them. In fact I was so in tune with Birdy's gender nonconformity that it took me until halfway through the book to even realise Birdy was born as a female. Also due to the intersectionality of disparaged groups it is (upsetting but) realistic that these experiences would have been what gender diverse/queer people were subjected to in the 1970's.
I think my rating would be more a 3.5- I don't think I enjoyed the story, but I believe it is an important story to have written and to be read. For better or worse, it's a story I won't be forgetting any time soon.
As a trans person I heavily related to Birdy Flynn's complicated feelings around gender, and the complicated feelings that Birdy's family and friends had for them. In fact I was so in tune with Birdy's gender nonconformity that it took me until halfway through the book to even realise Birdy was born as a female. Also due to the intersectionality of disparaged groups it is (upsetting but) realistic that these experiences would have been what gender diverse/queer people were subjected to in the 1970's.
I think my rating would be more a 3.5- I don't think I enjoyed the story, but I believe it is an important story to have written and to be read. For better or worse, it's a story I won't be forgetting any time soon.
May 30, 2020
***GRAPHIC ANIMAL ABUSE***
Don't be like me and let the pretty cover fool you - Also don't be like me and fail to read the synopsis properly..
In my defence though, I honestly would have thought that what is written in the synopsis, pertaining to the torture and murder of the cat, would have been the extent of it. That you would know it happened, but you wouldn't have to endure living through the entire event in horrible detail. Especially in a YA novel? I was shocked.
I dnf'd twice, then forced myself through a few more chapters to see where it was going. The back states that this is a "sad and funny portrayal". I'm really not sure where the 'funny' part ever begins. I found this book to be very heavy, I struggled to connect with Birdy's voice, I didn't really enjoy the writing style... and I just couldn't get past that first chapter and the aftermath that followed.
Don't be like me and let the pretty cover fool you - Also don't be like me and fail to read the synopsis properly..
In my defence though, I honestly would have thought that what is written in the synopsis, pertaining to the torture and murder of the cat, would have been the extent of it. That you would know it happened, but you wouldn't have to endure living through the entire event in horrible detail. Especially in a YA novel? I was shocked.
I dnf'd twice, then forced myself through a few more chapters to see where it was going. The back states that this is a "sad and funny portrayal". I'm really not sure where the 'funny' part ever begins. I found this book to be very heavy, I struggled to connect with Birdy's voice, I didn't really enjoy the writing style... and I just couldn't get past that first chapter and the aftermath that followed.
November 28, 2017
honest post - i didn't finish it. the first chapter was so disturbing, i had to put it down... and i'm a dog person...
November 10, 2018
This is an awesome thriller...
It's an interesting and nice read who love thrillers.
It was having so many sudden and amazing thrilling aspects in the story. Author created a beautifully deeply felt novel . Every one who reads this recognise on the character of Birdy their own struggle to find their place in the world.
I loved it alot... ❤❤❤ .
.
This is the story of birdy's dead grandmother's cat. Birdy Flynn fights harder than any boy at school and Birdy Flynn Carries so many secrets too.
How the boys tortured her and Birdy Flynn had to down her in the river to stop her suffering. There's the secret of Mrs. Cope, the popular teacher , who took advantage of Birdy Flynn . And the secret of Gypsy girl at school who Birdy likes , but can't mention . Because , birdy's greatest secret could change everything.............
.
.
In this luminescent , sad and funny portrayal of a young person growing up in an imperfect family . .
.
As a thriller lover... It makes sad to hear all about Birdy Flynn adventures and happy to read this alot..
It's an interesting and nice read who love thrillers.
It was having so many sudden and amazing thrilling aspects in the story. Author created a beautifully deeply felt novel . Every one who reads this recognise on the character of Birdy their own struggle to find their place in the world.
I loved it alot... ❤❤❤ .
.
This is the story of birdy's dead grandmother's cat. Birdy Flynn fights harder than any boy at school and Birdy Flynn Carries so many secrets too.
How the boys tortured her and Birdy Flynn had to down her in the river to stop her suffering. There's the secret of Mrs. Cope, the popular teacher , who took advantage of Birdy Flynn . And the secret of Gypsy girl at school who Birdy likes , but can't mention . Because , birdy's greatest secret could change everything.............
.
.
In this luminescent , sad and funny portrayal of a young person growing up in an imperfect family . .
.
As a thriller lover... It makes sad to hear all about Birdy Flynn adventures and happy to read this alot..
February 10, 2021
Book 10 of 2021;
Birds Flynn
-Helen Donohoe
Whilst little ones sleep I will read! Last read for my mini holiday break was a good one...if a little sad...
There is the secret of Birdy's grandmother's cat. How the boys tortured it and Birdy had to drown it in the river. There's the secret of Mrs. Cope, the popular teacher who took advantage of Birdy. And the secret of the gypsy girl at school who Birdy likes, but can't talk about. Because Birdy's other secret is that while she fights as good as the boys, she is a girl.
I wanted to pick Birdy up and hug her. A powerful, heartbreaking, funny, and ultimately hopeful story. I could feel Birdy's fear and dread as she grapples with her actions, but also as she comes to terms with her identity. She is brave. And funny. But above all she is real. Which is something you can't say often enough these days.
4/5⭐️
Happy reading x
Birds Flynn
-Helen Donohoe
Whilst little ones sleep I will read! Last read for my mini holiday break was a good one...if a little sad...
There is the secret of Birdy's grandmother's cat. How the boys tortured it and Birdy had to drown it in the river. There's the secret of Mrs. Cope, the popular teacher who took advantage of Birdy. And the secret of the gypsy girl at school who Birdy likes, but can't talk about. Because Birdy's other secret is that while she fights as good as the boys, she is a girl.
I wanted to pick Birdy up and hug her. A powerful, heartbreaking, funny, and ultimately hopeful story. I could feel Birdy's fear and dread as she grapples with her actions, but also as she comes to terms with her identity. She is brave. And funny. But above all she is real. Which is something you can't say often enough these days.
4/5⭐️
Happy reading x
August 26, 2021
This book begins with a horrific act of animal cruelty which I imagine would put many readers off reading it. If you can get past that chapter you will be rewarded with an intriguing work whose main character is its charm. I have to admit that I was well into the book before I realised that the protagonist, a 12 year old child, was not the gender I'd assumed - and this later becomes central to one of the main themes of the book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Caroline Lennon, does an excellent job of reflecting this gender duality of Birdy which informs every part of the narrative. It's difficult to say more without spoilers so I would recommend you read this book and see for yourself - but with a warning about the brutal first chapter.
February 6, 2017
The start of this book was really weak, the language used or the way it's written as if you're addressing toddlers, so weak and so fragile. I didn't feel like I was reading an adult/young adult book.
The whole story is about the struggle of a girl who is trying to find out if she's really a boy or a girl, her mother stands by her side to find her way because she's confused but her father is against her being a boy and blames his wife's blood for his daughter being/turning like that.
I'm giving 2 stars for how the problem is solved at the end of the story which is somehow good but I didn't like the book that much.
The whole story is about the struggle of a girl who is trying to find out if she's really a boy or a girl, her mother stands by her side to find her way because she's confused but her father is against her being a boy and blames his wife's blood for his daughter being/turning like that.
I'm giving 2 stars for how the problem is solved at the end of the story which is somehow good but I didn't like the book that much.
July 21, 2018
Such a strong, clear, distinct voice that flows throughout the book and doesn't once waiver. Completely believable.
Came at a just the right time in my own life, having just lost my mother and being a child of the 1980s this was a wonderful piece of nostalgia. Didn't guess at all until the book told me Birdy's gender and loved all the clearly drawn, full of life characters.
My only tiny niggle was that if it was aimed at teens (not quite sure if it is for adults/children) then the story itself was not particularly gripping.
Loved it - especially as I listened to it and the reader had the accents perfectly pitched.
Came at a just the right time in my own life, having just lost my mother and being a child of the 1980s this was a wonderful piece of nostalgia. Didn't guess at all until the book told me Birdy's gender and loved all the clearly drawn, full of life characters.
My only tiny niggle was that if it was aimed at teens (not quite sure if it is for adults/children) then the story itself was not particularly gripping.
Loved it - especially as I listened to it and the reader had the accents perfectly pitched.
October 26, 2018
I quite enjoyed this book. I found that I got through it very quickly because the story drew me in. The setting and the characters, where quite whimsical with enough villainy and treachery to keep me wanting more. I liked how the character of birdy was put together, some characters aren't so compelling though. I wanted to like gypsie girl, but I found it difficult. I wish we could have explored her story further. Overall, I am happy I picked up this book, I would suggest it to readers who like typical young adult and teen fiction such as 'the perks of being a wallflower', and 'love Simon'.
June 18, 2024
Quite a traumatic book to read with many issues touched on and explored. This includes peer pressure, friendship, love, domestic violence, abuse, racial discrimination, and loyalty.
The story is told through the eyes of Birdy Flynn, a 12 year old child brought up in a mixed religious house of a Catholic mother and Protestant father. We follow Birdy through a short period of life and watch her grow into teenagehood.
I loved the characters, pace, and subject matters explored. Whilst written by an adult, there is great insight into a child's mind. Worth a read.
The story is told through the eyes of Birdy Flynn, a 12 year old child brought up in a mixed religious house of a Catholic mother and Protestant father. We follow Birdy through a short period of life and watch her grow into teenagehood.
I loved the characters, pace, and subject matters explored. Whilst written by an adult, there is great insight into a child's mind. Worth a read.
Read
October 1, 2019The setting and atmosphere of this were fantastic, I found out a lot about times and experiences that I was unaware of before reading. Birdy was a great character too, although his identity was handled a bit clumsily at times. On the other hand, at times it was handled really well! From an own voices POV there's very little I can comment on- I think some parts were maybe not handled so well, but that's from my own non-experience, so to be taken in that light.
September 22, 2020
4.5/ I thought this book was really good. The emotions and feelings of Birdy were just so clear and it made me feel a lot of different things. It was a nitty, gritty, raw and emotional read that really warmed my heart. This book was so much deeper than what I expected it to be and it brought up a lot of different points. Although the opening chapter really is brutal, the rest of the book makes it worth it and is just thought-provoking and powerful.
July 13, 2024
When I first started reading, I thought Birdy was a boy and Eileen was his little sister. Absolute shock to find out that Birdy was a girl who wanted to be like a boy and Eileen was 18 years old. But overall, the book was really able to portray a young kid living in a dysfunctional household and dealing with the guilt of killing Murphy and what happened with Mrs Cope. I love the way that Donohoe shows the struggles that Birdy goes through just for wanting to be themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2020
I’ve only read the first three chapters but do yourself a favour and skip the first chapter. I can stomach a lot of crime, torture and other brutal scenarios but this was horrific. Don’t put yourself through it
July 13, 2017
Very good. Got more interesting and more engrossing as I read on.
December 31, 2017
4.5 (bordering maybe 5) ⭐s
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH OHMYGOD BIRDY IS SO PRECIOUS EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO HUG HIM 💜💜💜
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH OHMYGOD BIRDY IS SO PRECIOUS EXCUSE ME WHILE I GO HUG HIM 💜💜💜
August 27, 2017
It was good, but I got very confused with the plot.
April 9, 2018
Definitely not what I was expecting. But a great read!
It does have some adult and trigger warning content. If you want more info. Message me.
It does have some adult and trigger warning content. If you want more info. Message me.
May 28, 2018
*Review copy received from the publisher.
Other than being totally freaked out by the terrible 'event' I just could not connect with the characters.
Other than being totally freaked out by the terrible 'event' I just could not connect with the characters.
October 10, 2018
More like a 3.5 stars.
My problem was the ending. It was so abrupt and I would have liked more of a conclusion.
My problem was the ending. It was so abrupt and I would have liked more of a conclusion.
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November 26, 2020TW// ANIMAL ABUSE right at the start
January 5, 2021
Beautiful story.. would honestly give it 4.75 stars... the .75 is for the gruesome first page! Push through and you wont regret this story!
August 14, 2021
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews