Chris White (6)

I'd actually rate this one 3.5, but I'm feeling generous this morning, and I really did enjoy it overall. Chris White is clearly a gifted writer - crisp, vivid, interesting. And I am a birder with a special fondness for woodpeckers, so I was happy to follow Adrian Mandrick along on his quest. Poor Adrian. A shy, anxious boy traumatized by a nasty divorce, he spends his adult life as an anesthesiologist, devoting himself entirely to the avoidance of all pain, both for his patients and for show more himself, using the wonders of modern chemistry. This eternal search for numbness checks him out of any real connection with his wife, his kids, his family, and leaves him utterly self-absorbed. Only birds can light him up, and even that has become corrupted by a competitive obsession with the (ahem) length of his list. White herself is apparently not a birder, but she has caught the loveliness of the birds themselves and some of the glowing ardor we birders have for them. The chat-group reports from an anonymous novice birder describing his sightings of utterly common birds are charming and touching, and they touch a chord in Adrian too. We trudge along with Adrian as he fumbles and stumbles his way through an ill-advised affair, emotional neglect of his grounded, gifted wife, and a life-threatening illness, to the realization that if a species (plant, animal, bird, or human) cannot adapt to changing circumstances, it is doomed. Towards the end, the plot veers into melodrama territory in a dangerous swamp and the appearance of a mysterious stranger, but the rediscovery of a childhood photograph is truly moving. And it ends on a note of hope... and you know what Emily Dickinson said about hope. show less

Adrian Madrick's personality traits shine through in his choice of hobby and career. His obsessiveness is revealed in his hobby of birding where his life list holds third place in the national birder society. As an anesthesiologist addicted to opiates, this man will do almost anything to avoid feeling emotional pain. He loves his wife, Stella, and his children and he pops pills to avoid thinking about what dangers they might encounter. He's estranged from his mother, another way to block out show more emotional pain. His previous close relationship with his mother introduced him to birding when once, as a young boy, they may have spotted an Ivory Billed Woodpecker.

His obsession, addiction, and avoidance behaviors start to catch up with him as he makes a series of serious mistakes in his relationship with his wife. As well as ignoring a call from his mother who is reaching out to him. The story follows him through chasing after the sightings of several rare birds while popping pills as a means of avoiding the demands of his real life. After his mother's death, he is lured by a novice birder to Eglin Airforce Base on Florida's panhandle to search for the elusive Ivory Billed Woodpecker. This trip is where he finally confronts the pain and truth of his life.

Adrian isn't a particularly likable character mostly because his behavior is consistently that of an addict. Compact and well written, the story is well paced and engaging. show less

To me, the main character wasn't sympathetic at all, but he was interesting. I kept reading to see what he would do next and how or if he could redeem himself. After I got into the book I finished it in a hurry because of the drama Mandrick created. Toward the end I saw the "twist" coming which made the unresolved part feel even more unresolved. But maybe I felt that way because Mandrick's life is just so messy. White writes a messy life beautifully, however, which is why I gave the book 4 show more stars instead of 3. The nature scenes, particularly those with the horses, felt authentic and evocative. show less

I was quite smitten with this book and it was unlike anything I’ve read before. Adrian Mandrick is a successful anesthesiologist, a husband, father, avid birder, and last but not least, a painkiller addict. Adrian has a good heart but is full of imperfections and all of these flaws are on full display for us readers.

The story starts right before Adrian’s life begins to take a turn for the worse. Adrian had a rough childhood and finds his head is often swirling with unanswered questions. show more After he receives missed calls and messages from his mother (who he once loved so dearly) asking for a talk, he begins to self-medicate for his anxiety by popping pills. His addiction and state of mind causes Adrian to start making mistakes and adds fuel to the fire of his already-crumbling marriage.

His main comfort in life is his “Life List”- the all-encompassing record of the 863 bird species he has spotted and identified. After the death of his mother, Adrian goes on a relentless quest to find the extremely rare Ivory-billed Woodpecker to add to his list, no matter the cost.

This haunting tale has so many gripping aspects- birds, conservation, addiction, obsession, painful childhood memories, a crumbling marriage, and family. The writing is stunning and incredibly detailed. This story will stick with me for a long time. I can’t recommend this one enough.

Thank you, Touchstone Books, for sending me this wonderful book and wildflower seeds. All opinions are my own. show less