THE BIRD HOUSE
Every family has its secrets. But when you are the last survivor tending to the dark fires of memory, and your own mind is fading, who do you share them with? Your diary or your eight-year-old granddaughter?
PRAISE
“An intergenerational school project unlocks a Pandora’s box of unsettling truths. Evocative and detailed.”
—Kirkus (starred review)
“Smoothly shifts between past and present. Complex and poignant.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Honest, tender, and very funny.”
—Shelf Awareness
“A great title for book groups and fans of ‘Still Alice’.”
—Library Journal
“A surprisingly dark novel of modern family life.”
—Booklist
1. Ann reveals within the first chapter that her memory is failing. How did this confession affect your reading? Was Ann an unreliable narrator?
2. Bird houses are a reoccurring theme throughout the novel—besides the title itself, Ellie chooses bird houses for her “Aspect” school project. Do you think the bird houses hold some sort of symbolism? Why or why not?
3. Throughout the novel, we get bits and pieces of what Ann’s husband, Theo, was like. Do you think Ann is fair with his depiction? If the novel had been narrated by Theo, how do you think he would have described himself? How would his perspective differ from Ann’s?
4. In the beginning, Ann describes her daughter-in-law, Tinsley, as almost perfect. She even attributes her granddaughter’s wonderful demeanor to Tinsley.When do you see Ann’s opinion begin to change? Why do you think it changes so drastically? Do you think they will ever completely resolve their differences?
5. Adultery reoccurs throughout the novel and is also a shared commonality between Ann, her mother, and Tinsley. How do you think this bonds the women together? Does this shared connection help them relate to one another? Or could it also have an opposite effect on their relationships?
6. Ann, her mother, and Tinsley all have completely different personalities and lead completely different lives. What do you think lead each women to cheat on her partner?
7. When Ann confronts Tinsley about her affair, she claims to have the best intentions. Do you agree with how Ann handled this discussion? If you were in Ann’s position, what would you have done?
8. Ann never gave her father the chance to give his side of the story and after his death she discovers he was not her biological father. Do you think she should have given him the chance to explain himself? And do you think this was what he was trying to tell her?
9. On page 280, Ann says to Ellie: “‘If you ever have to choose between a man who’s serious and a man who’s fun, choose the fun one. Promise me.’” Do you agree with Ann?