Nest: The art of birds

by Janine Burke

Nest

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Birds, Philosophy

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Dr. Janine Burke is an art historian and biographer, and has written eight books of fiction and art history. She has degrees from the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University. She was a lecturer in art history until she resigned from her job to become a full-time writer, which she has been for the last ten years.

Her books include Australian Women Artists, 1840-1940, Second Sight, which won the 1987 Victorian Premier's Award for Fiction, and Company of Images, which was shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year award and the Miles Franklin Award. Her novel for teenagers, Journey to Bright Water, is published by Mammoth. She also contributed to Libby Hawthorn's anthology of short stories, The Blue Dress.

Janine has curated exhibitions of historical and contemporary art, and currently holds a research fellowship at Monash University. She lives in Melbourne, where she regularly reviews, lectures and broadcasts on radio.

Reviews

[Amanda Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief but well written book, the author lives in an area I know and recognise whenever it is mentioned.
Features chapters on different birds and the nests they build, and how it might be construed as art.

[Judy]

Those who are interested... There is and exhibition of some of the nests discussed in this book at the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park just at the Skye Rd exit from Eastlink Fwy, Victoria, Australia.

[Marc Mordey · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a habit of having a 'reading aloud' book on the go (A sort of personalised Book at Bedtime!) and this was our most recent one. A very lovely book, vivid, interesting and different and a real pleasure to read aloud.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting at times but rather meandering piece about birds and their intersection with the Arts. I could not discern a main premise or hypothesis - my best description of this book is a contemplation about the intrinsic worth and beauty of nature. Fair enough, I agree with that, but the scientist in me kept thinking, but what are you really saying here? Lots about the depiction of birds and nests in poetry, which I did not think was relevant (however interesting it was) to what the book's blurb says the book is about - whether the nest itself can be considered a conscious work of art by the bird.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book jumped all over the place, from bird to bird.
Her descriptions of these unfamiliar birds and their nests were so interesting that I wanted to see what she was describing (which is great! I love learning new stuff!) But because of her subject hopping I was putting the book down and googling multiple times per page. And that just got annoying.
This is a book that needs illustrations. I can imagine it would be a fabulous with accompanying drawings and photographs. But I found it too exhausting and did not finish it.

[Kathryn Ovenden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise that birds are artists. I flinched every time I read "homo sapien" with no capitals and no italics. Some of the notes on evolutionary theory were a bit off. I lost the plot with the chapter on poets - where did that even come from? I wanted to read more about the critical art theories as the end.

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit all over the place, like a Mourning Dove's nest. Not as informative as I would like.

[Stuart Malcolm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite this being a slim book I just never got in to it. It meanders all over the place - both thematically and geographically, and there is no flow to it. The first part contains some bits of ornithology that the author unfortunately doesn't have the knowledge to expound on. The second part contains a lot of meditations on poetry, art, philosophy etc, where the author is on surer ground, but they are a sudden swerve from the first part of the book! Ultimately a disappointment.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nest is a broad ranging and fascinating read. A quick and delightful little morsel, but one with plenty of meat.
My blog review.

http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot...

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this very much especially when read alongside my ipad and finding images of birds, nests, people and places Janine Burke talks about