Author’s Note: We were provided with a free copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Plot & Storyline Quality (1 point)
The Nature of Small Birds promotes poignant themes like truth and transparency among family members, but has a disorganized plot and storyline that detract from the central message. Like most novels, this one has both strengths and weaknesses. However, the novel’s strong points do not outweigh it’s many errors.
First, major plot and storyline strengths in this novel include the non-linear plot progression, the first-person dialogue, the partially developed flashbacks, and the outside the box historical theme. In contrast, major weaknesses include the story holes left behind by the disorganized plot, the split storyline that has multiple protagonists, and the weak conclusion. At it’s core, is this novel portraying generational dysfunction among Bruce’s family, or examining a young Vietnamese American’s experience growing up in small-town USA? It attempts to do both, but does not fully commit to either. If the author had committed to one of these ideas, the novel would have been less choppy and more memorable overall. For these reasons, the novel earns a below average score in plot and storyline.
Character Development (1.5 points)
Second, major strengths in character development include the first-person dialogue that is used to develop the character’s personalities and tendencies, and the nostalgic portrayal of family life. These are commendable, but were not enough to carry the entire novel. This being said, the biggest weakness in this area is the fluctuating protagonist role (is the protagonist Bruce, Sonny, Mindy, or Linda?). All of them are good characters, but they are all left unfinished because no one was the central focus of the storyline. Fixing this error would have greatly upped the overall score, and provided a solution to some of the plot and storyline errors we mentioned above. For these reasons, the novel earns a below average score in character development.
Creativity & Originality (.5 point)
Finally, it was an original and relevant idea to fictionally portray this little-known part of world history, and for that the novel earns a half point in originality. However, most of the novel is not from Mindy’s perspective. This makes it hard for the reader to retain any of the historical facts shared in the story. For this reason, the novel earns no points in creativity.
In conclusion, we at BOR had high hopes for this novel, but were disappointed by the flaws we mentioned above that kept this from being a well-written story. We do not think this novel should be made into a film or series. But…we would love to see someone make a movie or series from the perspective of a Vietnamese American who came to the U.S. during Operation Baby Lift! As we’ve said many times before, if Christian entertainment would commit to continually turning out only the best quality products, we would soon see a blessed change!
Wish List Rating: 3 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 