Emma Neale

One theme I’ve been studiously avoiding in my reading over the last couple of years is the subject of grief. I’ve had my own mourning to do and I certainly haven’t wanted to read about anybody else’s. But Billy Bird by New Zealand author got under my radar because it was nominated for the 2018 Dublin Literary Award longlist, and although it took a bit of fortitude to finish it I can see why it’s a popular book.
It’s not just about grief, because it’s about parenthood too: it’s show more about a young family falling apart because of successive bereavements and (like most of us) not having the resources to deal with it.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2017/12/07/billy-bird-by-emma-neale/ show less

I found this book slow in pace and lacking in tension. I felt there was a long time where not much happened. Although, the ending was powerful. Maybe if it was more tension-filled it would become cliched?

Thematically, it's interesting. The people who surround Bu are also interesting characters studies.

I think it would be a good novel for Yr 12/13 high school students because of the themes.

It is worth a read.

Delightful story. Dealing with the tragic death of two family members causes the parents to find adult ways to cope, whilst their son drives them crazy by becoming obsessed with birds to the point that he acts out being one. It has some wonderful moments, particularly the voice of Billy.

Taken from his native land at a very young age Bu came to live in New Zealand with his adoptive parents. But Bu is different from other children and his parents take him to live in the bush.
Years later he is now over seven-feet tall, his skin covered in thick hair; he looks like a Yeti.

Something happens that sends Bu to the city, a new and scary place, where he finds himself in hospital. Bu is beside himself with worry and can not communicate with the doctors who want to run all kinds of show more tests on him. In hospital he meets Sardine young woman befriends him and he starts to talk, as he lets her in to his life, she realises what a life he has had. After release from hospital Bu is forced into hiding as things spiral out of his control.

Written beautifully with compassion and sensitivity this first time novel had me absorbed in Bu’s world from beginning to end show less