The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen
Publisher: Tantor Media (March 2012)
Audio Source: Publisher
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audio
Format Read: audio book
Narrated by: Xe Sands
Running Time: 8hours
Synopsis from the publisher When a bird flies into a window in Spring Green, Wisconsin, sisters Milly and Twiss get a visit. Twiss listens to the birds’ heartbeats, assessing what she can fix and what she can’t, while Milly listens to the heartaches of the people who’ve brought them. These spinster sisters have spent their lives nursing people and birds back to health.
But back in the summer of 1947, Milly and Twiss knew nothing about trying to mend what had been accidentally broken. Milly was known as a great beauty with emerald eyes and Twiss was a brazen wild child who never wore a dress or did what she was told. That was the summer their golf pro father got into an accident that cost him both his swing and his charm, and their mother, the daughter of a wealthy jeweler, finally admitted their hardscrabble lives wouldn’t change. It was the summer their priest, Father Rice, announced that God didn’t exist and ran off to Mexico, and a boy named Asa finally caught Milly’s eye. And, most unforgettably, it was the summer their cousin Bett came down from a town called Deadwater and changed the course of their lives forever.
My thoughts: As the eldest of three girls I am always drawn to stories about sisters. In my experience, sisters share a special relationship that cannot be explained. This relationship is the heart of The Bird Sisters. The Bird Sisters is a book that I’ve picked up and put down a couple of times. It started out slowly for me, but I was determined that I was going to see what all of the fuss was about. I am glad that I did.
The point of view changes from present time in which Milly and Twiss are much older back to the summer of 1947 in which they are (I believe) in their early teens. It’s in their reflections on the past that we discover what this sisterly bond is truly about.
I read it in several places that The Bird Sisters is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. I didn’t realize how true those statements were. I’ve found myself reflecting upon it several times since finishing it. Little bits pop into my mind here and there.
The audio book was narrated by one of my frequently listened to and favorite narrators, Xe Sands. Her voice takes an outstanding story and truly brings it to life. She presents each of the characters in a distinctly different voice, making them that much more real.
Kudos to Rebecca Rasmussen on a fantastic debut, I’m looking forward to her next release entitled Evergreen. I know its in the works (according to her Facebook Page) but I’m not sure when its set to be released.
© 2013, Teresa. All rights reserved.
Sounds excellent! I love sister stories too.
I think you’ll like this one.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Teresa! The Bird Sisters remains one of my favorite projects – it definitely still haunts me and comes back to me at various moments. I can’t say that I agree with their choices, but living the story helped me to appreciate the “why” behind them.
I’m with you Xe, I’m not exactly keen on their choices either. I certainly can’t see myself making the same choice.
Thank you so much for your lovely review
I think the audiobook is just so fantastic — I loved to see how Xe brought my characters to life. She is so talented 
I hope you are doing well, Teresa! xox
Absolutely! Thanks so much for stopping by Rebecca!
I have this one on my shelf. Your review just reminded me how much I want to read this one!
I look forward to seeing what you think.
I’m so glad you liked the audio. This one is already on my wishlist.