The Bluebird and the Sparrow

"Oh, Berta... I fear what that defiant spirit and quick temper might cost you in life."

Berta sees herself as plain, ordinary, and unappreciated compared to her glowing, outgoing, adored sister, Glenna. That perception affects how Berta lives her life. But she'll eventually have to take true stock of what she has become, and why, in The Bluebird and the Sparrow by author Janette Oke.

I believe this is the third time I've read this novel, counting the first time I did so back in my adolescence. Pretty sure I was first drawn by its original book cover from the '90s, which I still prefer. I think the story benefits from the rather pastel cover that's softly vibrant and lovely because...

Well, because Berta is a downer much of the time. But show more her story is a lovely one.

Berta is a depiction of how jealousy can make even a competent person illogical, petty, and bitter. It makes real, unfortunate sense.

The scenes during Berta and Glenna's childhood give the general gist of how they come into womanhood. Granted, that general gist all but makes caricatures of them for a while, with a too-sour older sister and a too-sweet younger one. Yet, Berta's moments of self-awareness make her character relatable. There's a realness to her journey, her pain, and what she must one day come to learn.

This ChristFic novel is comfort reading for me. Not because it's perfect or happy-go-lucky (it's neither) but because it brings relevant truth about life, love, and self-acceptance in a simple and ultimately lovely way. show less

I read this growing up, and really enjoyed it at the time. It’s interesting to go back and read something years later...sometimes it’s exactly what we remember, other times not so much. I got aggravated with the characters midway through and was more than ready for the climax by the time it occurred. Unfortunately, the denouement was minimal and short lived. And all the em dashes! Overuse of those proved distracting a third of the way in, lol. I forget if that’s a trademark of the author’s but hoo boy.

Sometimes she wished she was an only child . . . "She's lovely! Look at those curls. Those blue eyes. She's just beautiful!" Berta was used to hearing comments like that. But they were not about her. . . . Whenever ladies came to the house or met her mother on the street, they exclaimed over Berta's little sister, Glenna. Somewhere along the way, Berta decided that whatever Glenna was, she would not be. Whatever Glenna did, she would not do. Whatever Glenna liked, she would not like. She would be the opposite. Sure enough, Glenna is sparkling, vivacious, outgoing, and adored, while Berta is serious, dependable, and prim. Their relationship grows more and more distant until, finally, Berta must look into her heart and discover what truly show more has caused the rift between them. show less

A story of two very different sisters and how one of them must finally learn to look into her heart and truly discover what truly makes the difference between them.

Berta was very young when she found out she was getting a baby sister. She wasn't thrilled by all the attention the sister got, and grew up resentful and not very loving to her younger sister, Glenna. You will watch how Berta grows up very independent, and serious and feels plain and alone, while Glenna is the sparkling, outgoing and always wanting to please sister in the family. Many years will pass and lots of things will happen in these two lady's lives, and you just want to help Berta to stop her bitterness and lack of love towards her family. God will eventually work in show more her heart, but you begin to think it will never happen. Although I enjoyed the story, I did think it went a little long, only because I so much wanted something better for Berta. show less

This is a beautiful story for the insight it gives us into the love of our Heavenly Father. It shows the struggle we cause ourselves when we put self first. I thought the book was a little slow at first. It didn't grab my attention until about the middle of the book, but the lesson that it teaches is priceless and timeless! A great character building book.

An example of such waste...caused by bitterness and wrong perception. I believe every person is unique and has different gifts and personality type than others have. She could have learned that years before and been a lot happier!!!