Other Birds: A Novel

Sarah Addison Allen

Aug 2022 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

The New York Times Bestseller

From the acclaimed author of Garden Spells comes an enchanting tale of lost souls, lonely strangers, secrets that shape us, and how the right flock can guide you home.

Down a narrow alley in the small coastal town of Mallow Island, South Carolina, lies a stunning cobblestone building comprised of five apartments. It’s called The Dellawisp and it is named after the tiny turquoise birds who, alongside its human tenants, inhabit an air of magical secrecy.

When Zoey Hennessey comes to claim her deceased mother’s apartment at The Dellawisp, she meets her quirky, enigmatic neighbors including a girl on the run, a grieving chef whose comfort food does not comfort him, two estranged middle-aged sisters, and three ghosts. Each with their own story. Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn’t yet written.

When one of her new neighbors dies under odd circumstances the night Zoey arrives, she is thrust into the mystery of The Dellawisp, which involves missing pages from a legendary writer whose work might be hidden there. She soon discovers that many unfinished stories permeate the place, and the people around her are in as much need of healing from wrongs of the past as she is. To find their way they have to learn how to trust each other, confront their deepest fears, and let go of what haunts them.

Delightful and atmospheric, Other Birds is filled with magical realism and moments of pure love that won’t let you go. Sarah Addison Allen shows us that between the real and the imaginary, there are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways.

Ratings and reviews

This book was recommended by members of a book club that I belong to and I read it on my cell phone not once, but twice. Our discussion was about what is the definition of home and family and do ghosts really exist. I liked how each of the deeply troubled characters helped each other to become a family, and how their ghosts were unable to be free and fly away until their person no longer needed their protection and help. According to Zoey "Not everything has to be real to be true." And Frazier "Some stories are better not told." And how Mac and Camille used food to show love. And how receiving food made the characters feel happy and loved. Sandra K.

What an enchanting story! No doubt Sarah Addison Allen has a true gift in storytelling. Other Birds touches on so many different aspects of the human experience: growing up, growing old, family drama, second (and third) chances, it's absolutely lovely.

I love all her stories and this one did not disappoint! A beautiful story beautifully written!

About the author

SARAH ADDISON ALLEN is the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells, The Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, The Peach Keeper, First Frost and Lost Lake. She was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina.