The Nature of Small Birds: A Novel

The Nature of Small Birds By Susie Finkbeiner Mindy Matthews wants to connect with her roots. She was a child who was taken from a war-torn country and brought into a family who loved her as their own. But she wants to know if she has family out there. The Nature of Small Birds is the story of Mindy's journey - a journey of discovery. The book presents Mindy's journey at various periods of time and is told from the perspective of various members of her adoptive family. Her parents Linda and Bruce and her older Sonny all have memories of when Mihn (aka Mindy joined their family. As the story progresses the family dynamics come into play. Mindy was sent to the US as Vietnam fell to Communist forces, a young child leaving her family and her country behind on the promise of something better. The story alternates between 1975, 1988, and 2013, these glimpses offer insights into the Matthews family - a family joined together by love, who by their very support are offering Mindy what she needs - a chance to discover the prologue of her life. When you hear the title The Nature of Small Birds and see the cover you just know something beautiful must be tucked away in these pages. And a beautiful story of love unfolds - but with all life not every moment is what we want it to be but it is true to reality. If you have never read Susie Finkbeiner's work before you are in for a treat as she has a way of bringing her characters to life. They are more than mere words upon a page they have depth and dimension. And if you've read her before you won't be disappointed in this newest work. If asked to describe this book in one word Excellent would be my word of choice. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ All thoughts expressed are my own.

This was a wonderful story of former hippies (Linda and Bruce) who adopt a baby from Vietnam as part of Operation Baby Lift. After protesting the war itself and then reading about the children fleeing Saigon on American planes, Linda and Bruce choose to adopt little Minh (Mindy), in spite of the narrow-minded discrimination of Bruce’s mother. Told in three time frames, beginning in 1975, moving to 1988 and then finally to 2013, the story also has multiple narrators. 1975 is the year Bruce and Linda decide to adopt Mindy and change their lives to raise a fearful little girl. 1988 presents more information about Sonny, their biological daughter preparing to leave for college, and her little sister Mindy, a teen at the time. Finally, in 2013, we hear a lot from Bruce and his perspective on what being a successful family looks like. Honestly, I could not choose my favorite POV or time period because all were done so well with such elaborate descriptions of the family and their reactions to events and choices. Mindy grew up without feeling as if she really belonged, so she decided to find her birth mother. Supported by her adoptive family, Mindy faces the past with boldness and grace, ready to embrace and forgive. The tale is one that is timeless in its approach to such themes as adoption, parenting, family relationships and acceptance. The research into the Vietnam era shone through in every page, especially the feelings of many American citizens who had suffered through the atrocities of the war. My emotions ran the whole gamut, from total despair at Mindy’s lack of confidence and fear when she arrived to her new home, to hope for a better future as she learned to “fly alone” and leave the nest, which is the nature of small birds. The characters were so realistic that they stepped out of the pages of the book into my heart, where I am still embracing them today as if they are my own family members. I have loved all of Susie Finkbeiner’s books since the first one, and this one was, in my opinion, the best yet in its portrayal of emotions and its depth of characters, with a multi-layered plot. The vulnerability of the characters and their willingness to press on was what made the book memorable and an excellent choice for an uplifting book to read. Not all parts of the book were uplifting, but the tone definitely was one of positive outcomes, so I applaud the author for her talent in being able to relate to so many different people with so many different feelings about the war in Vietnam. Not everyone lived during the war as I did (I was in college in the 70’s and saw all of the protests although I did not participate), but I can assure others that anyone who reads this book will have an experience of war and its effects on innocence that you will not soon forget. This book is remarkable for its entertainment and educational values. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This was an interesting book about a family that adopts a girl in the Babylift program for Vietnam. In this time-slip book, you will find three time periods, 1975, 1988 and 2013. It takes place in the time period I remember all too well in my life, so I can relate to the events that took place and the "way we lived" in those years. I didn't immediately realize that the three time periods would be told by a different person, but caught on quickly as the book, written in first person, changed first persons. At first I was a bit confused by that. I was especially interested in seeing whether she is able to find her birth mother, as this is something that I have done for several people in my life. There is family drama, and events that happened to many people of these time frames. I felt that the book would continue and we would see where certain parts of the book led. Maybe a second book in the future? I enjoyed the book very much. I received this book through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.