There is an understanding in Port Peter, that if someone abandons their baby to the bird women who live on the cliffs, that baby will be cared for. But there are exceptions, like Georgia. Now in her early twenties, Georgia’s life is complicated. She’s in a strange three-way relationship with priest Arlo and his wife, Felicity whilst also finding true friendship and connection with Arlo’s son, Isaiah. This can’t end well…
Canadian writer Sydney Hegele effortlessly blends the weirdness of the bird women with the fraught emotional relationships. This is an incredibly harrowing read; there is one part that is just so sad and somewhat unexpected, which absolutely broke me.
I enjoyed the interweaving timelines and characters. In fact, the character development is outstanding. Although Georgia is at the centre of the story, the surrounding characters are fully formed. Felicity is especially complex, and I adored how her story developed.
Hegele paints a vivid picture of the tourist town, Port Peter, with the excitement of the peach festival, and the contrasting emptiness of the off-season. And the weirdness of the bird women is always in the periphery, like a comforting but ever so slightly odd relative.
A truly original novel from an exciting new voice.
Bird Suit is out now!
Huge thanks to Invisible Publishing for the ARC!
California Reading 