Anna Smaill – Bird Life: A Novel (Literature Review)

NZ author Anna Smaill’s second fiction release, Bird Life: A Novel is enchanting, heartbreaking and unforgettable.

Anna Smaill is no stranger to the literary world. Debuting with her critically acclaimed collection of poetry in 2005, her star was on the rise with the release of her first novel, The Chimes, which went on to be longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2015.

With such an illustrious reputation, it comes as no surprise that even though Smaill’s work is new to me, there was a sense of expectation and excitement in approaching her highly anticipated second novel, Bird Life.

A contemporary novel with a touch of magical realism, Bird Life is the story of two women whose lives intersect while living in Tokyo. Dinah moves from New Zealand to Japan in the wake of her brother’s sudden death, while Japanese native Yasuko struggles to balance her unusual ability to talk to animals with her life as a single parent.

When they meet at the university where they both teach English, the two form an unlikely bond of friendship that will help the other through the difficult circumstances they find themselves in. But is finding peace enough to overcome their trials and tribulations?

From the second I started reading Bird Life, I couldn’t tear myself away. Dinah and Yasuko are both at very different stages in their lives, working through separate issues. And yet, they are both so real and raw that you can’t help but be invested in their stories, and hope things turn out for the best.

Smaill’s writing is hypnotic, magnetic, and compelling from start to finish. The way in which she crafted this tale, with both its real life and fantastical elements is something to be admired. I was lucky enough to read Bird Life a month or two before it’s release and even now I find myself thinking about it and the characters we follow.

This novel is one not to be missed. It may have only just been released, but Bird Life may well be one of my favourite books of the year, and I can’t wait to go back and find out more about this author whose work is so highly regarded.

Bird Life: A Novel is published through Scribe Publications. Find out more about the author and the novel here.