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The Bird That Nobody Sees
Although this novel is the second part of a Trilogy, it can still be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone work.
The fact that Rod Langford achieved classification as a midget by just half an inch did not sit well with him. But when a washing machine literally falls from the back of a lorry at his feet, he wonders whether at last his luck is changing.
And what of his wife, Liz, who whilst working nights in the local supermarket, spends her time considering the benefits or otherwise of inserting poison into a variety of condiments?
Either way, it seems, somebody is going to get seriously hurt.
But there are angels just around the corner...
The Bird That Nobody Sees is a novel about friendship, hope and compassion - full of humour, intrigue and a continuation of the themes developed in Tollesbury Time Forever.
The fact that Rod Langford achieved classification as a midget by just half an inch did not sit well with him. But when a washing machine literally falls from the back of a lorry at his feet, he wonders whether at last his luck is changing.
And what of his wife, Liz, who whilst working nights in the local supermarket, spends her time considering the benefits or otherwise of inserting poison into a variety of condiments?
Either way, it seems, somebody is going to get seriously hurt.
But there are angels just around the corner...
The Bird That Nobody Sees is a novel about friendship, hope and compassion - full of humour, intrigue and a continuation of the themes developed in Tollesbury Time Forever.
- GenresPhilosophyFictionFantasy
218 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2012
6 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Ayris
17 books134 followersI was born in the Summer of 1969 in Dagenham, just on the border of East London. School was largely unproductive so his early adult years were spent putting up stalls at Romford Market, working in a record shop, gardening and road sweeping.
After resigning from an insurance company to play in a band, I found myself unemployed for two years in the early nineties. In 1997, I qualified as a psychiatric nurse.
I am the author of the following novels:
Tollesbury Time Forever (2012)
The Bird That Nobody Sees (2012)
I Woke Up This Morning (2013)
The Buddhas of Borneo (2013)
The Magical Tragical Life of Edward Jarvis Huggins (2014)
Elysian Wonderland (2015)
Merzougaville, Baby (2015)
Albion Calling (2016)
Bolivian Rhapsody (2018)
This Awful Small Mercy of Miss Miriam Mallone (2022)
The Truth About Trees (Exp 2024/5)
Catalonia Tryptico Blues (Work in progress)
In terms of writing, my heroes are Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, James Joyce Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.
Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything about my novels or if I can be of any help at all!
After resigning from an insurance company to play in a band, I found myself unemployed for two years in the early nineties. In 1997, I qualified as a psychiatric nurse.
I am the author of the following novels:
Tollesbury Time Forever (2012)
The Bird That Nobody Sees (2012)
I Woke Up This Morning (2013)
The Buddhas of Borneo (2013)
The Magical Tragical Life of Edward Jarvis Huggins (2014)
Elysian Wonderland (2015)
Merzougaville, Baby (2015)
Albion Calling (2016)
Bolivian Rhapsody (2018)
This Awful Small Mercy of Miss Miriam Mallone (2022)
The Truth About Trees (Exp 2024/5)
Catalonia Tryptico Blues (Work in progress)
In terms of writing, my heroes are Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, James Joyce Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.
Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything about my novels or if I can be of any help at all!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 20, 2012
I will start with a disclaimer - I proof-read and copy-edited this book but I did it free of charge because I love and respect the author's work. I gain no advantage when the book makes a sale. Right, I like to be up-front about things. Now that's out of the way -
This book is full of the author's exuberant and optimistic philosophy of life. We read the story of Rod, technically a midget, and his wife, only just over the height requirement. He is unjustly imprisoned for a short time and comes out with a determination to take a life which changes when he meets an angel. He also meets with a very accepting group of friends in a doleful pub and is invited on a holiday weekend with them. They treat him as a friend and not as a figure of fun.
Those who have read Tollesbury Time Forever will be familiar with FRUGALITY - if you haven't you will meet with it here. It is an uplifting and wise way of looking at the world. Stuart Ayris has a wonderful way with words, creative, playful and most definitely his own. His work makes you feel better about yourself and more understanding of others. Stuart's many fans will gain a great deal of enjoyment from this book - and a longing for more. I certainly did!
This book is full of the author's exuberant and optimistic philosophy of life. We read the story of Rod, technically a midget, and his wife, only just over the height requirement. He is unjustly imprisoned for a short time and comes out with a determination to take a life which changes when he meets an angel. He also meets with a very accepting group of friends in a doleful pub and is invited on a holiday weekend with them. They treat him as a friend and not as a figure of fun.
Those who have read Tollesbury Time Forever will be familiar with FRUGALITY - if you haven't you will meet with it here. It is an uplifting and wise way of looking at the world. Stuart Ayris has a wonderful way with words, creative, playful and most definitely his own. His work makes you feel better about yourself and more understanding of others. Stuart's many fans will gain a great deal of enjoyment from this book - and a longing for more. I certainly did!
August 3, 2012
A story of angels and anger of alienation and friendship. A novel with a serious message but which also contains plenty of good humour. The Bird That Nobody Sees is very much a book of contrasts. Stuart Ayris has wowed this cynical old heart yet again with his unique narrative style. He tells of unfortunate events and of how small, everyday actions have consequences. He draws attention to the beauty and cruelty all around us in everyday life.
Rod Langford finds himself as an innocent man in prison due to an unfortunate event. Already embittered due to his short stature, this darkens his heart and he plots revenge against the world and plans events that may take him far beyond the grasp of redemption. Throughout the novel Ayris plays with words and our emotions like a master puppeteer. Upon release from prison Rod begins to make a record of his plans and his darkest early morning thoughts. It seems Rod will be walking the darkest of paths. However, a chance encounter leads to friendship and there is hope for our hero yet.
Ayris speaks truths throughout his narrative, truths that we all know but never speak of. There is bravery to his writing and you feel that this author is putting his heart into his novel. If you are unsatisfied with the world or this modern age and are seeking something with depth and a hint of spirituality (not religion) then this book will strike a chord with you. I could ramble on all day about this beautifully affecting novel but I’ll end it here and give it the five glowing stars it deserves. The Bird That Nobody Sees – A ray of light in the darkness.
Rod Langford finds himself as an innocent man in prison due to an unfortunate event. Already embittered due to his short stature, this darkens his heart and he plots revenge against the world and plans events that may take him far beyond the grasp of redemption. Throughout the novel Ayris plays with words and our emotions like a master puppeteer. Upon release from prison Rod begins to make a record of his plans and his darkest early morning thoughts. It seems Rod will be walking the darkest of paths. However, a chance encounter leads to friendship and there is hope for our hero yet.
Ayris speaks truths throughout his narrative, truths that we all know but never speak of. There is bravery to his writing and you feel that this author is putting his heart into his novel. If you are unsatisfied with the world or this modern age and are seeking something with depth and a hint of spirituality (not religion) then this book will strike a chord with you. I could ramble on all day about this beautifully affecting novel but I’ll end it here and give it the five glowing stars it deserves. The Bird That Nobody Sees – A ray of light in the darkness.
December 6, 2012
The majority of readers who have reviewed this book on Amazon before me have used the word 'beautiful' in their review. If I may, I would like to ask you to stop for a moment and consider the significance of this simple fact. We may regularly describe a flower as beautiful, or a view, or a woman, but to describe the work of a writer as beautiful is moving the use of the word to a higher plane of meaning. The writer's output is just words on a page; that output cannot be intrinsically beautiful. If beauty exists it lies within the power of those words to move and inspire the reader.
Stuart Ayris' work may be humourous, it may be exuberant, but it IS beautiful.
This book has a more straightforward, coherent plot than Tollesbury, but ultimately the plot doesn't matter because this is essentially a study of humanity and human relationships. Don't feel you have to read Tollesbury first as the only connection is the basic theme, but you WILL want to read it after reading this one.
Mr Leatherdale didn't use the word beautiful in his Amazon review, but I suggest that it takes a beautiful piece of writing to inspire a review like that.
This is what indie writing/publishing should be all about - using the freedom to publish work that is so original that traditional publishers are frightened to touch it.
I urge you to read this book.
Stuart Ayris' work may be humourous, it may be exuberant, but it IS beautiful.
This book has a more straightforward, coherent plot than Tollesbury, but ultimately the plot doesn't matter because this is essentially a study of humanity and human relationships. Don't feel you have to read Tollesbury first as the only connection is the basic theme, but you WILL want to read it after reading this one.
Mr Leatherdale didn't use the word beautiful in his Amazon review, but I suggest that it takes a beautiful piece of writing to inspire a review like that.
This is what indie writing/publishing should be all about - using the freedom to publish work that is so original that traditional publishers are frightened to touch it.
I urge you to read this book.
February 15, 2013
Ahhh, irony! I certainly didn't expect this book to turn out the way it did. Throughout the novel I was kept guessing as to the victors and villains. I thought I had it figured out, only to be directed towards a turn in the plot pointing the finger at yet another character. It is almost as though it is set up to be a mystery novel in that we don't want to give away too much, too soon.
The FRUGALITY message certainly shines in this novel. And while the message it delivers is very much the same, it is done in the most unexpected way. It reminds me of the ABC Wide World of Sports intro - "The thrill of victory.. the agony of defeat... the human drama..."
The importance of this edition is that it does not center around one hopeless individual. We are given a myriad of characters, each with varying backgrounds and levels of hope held. As they come together, we begin to understand the recipe for hope: friendship, acceptance, acknowledgment. We are taught as children that sustenance comes from food and water. However, in the absence of hope, we see the slippery slope to misconception and the dangers that surround an apathetic heart.
The personification used throughout the novel reminds me of the classics, as do the author insights and the seemingly haphazard placement of details. This novel is not just about telling a story or sending a message. It is a beautifully played work of art, and honestly should not be mistaken for mere fiction. Bravo
The FRUGALITY message certainly shines in this novel. And while the message it delivers is very much the same, it is done in the most unexpected way. It reminds me of the ABC Wide World of Sports intro - "The thrill of victory.. the agony of defeat... the human drama..."
The importance of this edition is that it does not center around one hopeless individual. We are given a myriad of characters, each with varying backgrounds and levels of hope held. As they come together, we begin to understand the recipe for hope: friendship, acceptance, acknowledgment. We are taught as children that sustenance comes from food and water. However, in the absence of hope, we see the slippery slope to misconception and the dangers that surround an apathetic heart.
The personification used throughout the novel reminds me of the classics, as do the author insights and the seemingly haphazard placement of details. This novel is not just about telling a story or sending a message. It is a beautifully played work of art, and honestly should not be mistaken for mere fiction. Bravo
February 13, 2013
We start with a begrudging pub landlord, Dave, who has a shed out the back of his pub that he always keeps locked. The only thing inside this shed is a broken washing machine with no door. On the day on which the book begins a delivery of 'imitation' alcohol is taking place and Dave, in his haste, forgot to lock the shed again. The opportunistic driver sees his chance when Dave answers the ringing phone and steals the washing machine (I know one man's rubbish is another man's treasure but I think this is taking it a bit far!). The entire story all comes back to this seemingly insignificant event. Would the book have panned out the way it did if the washing machine had never been stolen?
Stuart Ayris can always be relied on to bring you more than a story, he gives you a brilliant story, written well, and also gives you something to chew on. I can never finish one of his books and move on to the next forgetting that I ever read it, I am always left with plenty to think about. This one left me wanting to be an angel so I shall say "Good morning" and be on my way.
Stuart Ayris can always be relied on to bring you more than a story, he gives you a brilliant story, written well, and also gives you something to chew on. I can never finish one of his books and move on to the next forgetting that I ever read it, I am always left with plenty to think about. This one left me wanting to be an angel so I shall say "Good morning" and be on my way.
June 29, 2013
Having come straight from Tollesbury Time Forever to this the second part of the trilogy, I had no idea what to expect. The phrase, 'expect the unexpected' kept going through my mind for some reason.
The book is about more than just the words, although by god they're gloriously assembled to form a magical picture, it's about life, at least it is to me.
There were some deeply resonating aspects of the story that made me stop and think and that's a powerful tool in a book. There are also lots of places I found myself chuckling about the antics of Rod and his mates. The camping, paint-balling, short lived pool team and general conversations are all laced with humour.
The thing is, I didn't feel like any of the words were wasted and I didn't want to miss any of them. Not because I wouldn't know what was happening but because I just didn't want to miss any, not one.
Going into book three, I know what to expect next - something wonderful.
The book is about more than just the words, although by god they're gloriously assembled to form a magical picture, it's about life, at least it is to me.
There were some deeply resonating aspects of the story that made me stop and think and that's a powerful tool in a book. There are also lots of places I found myself chuckling about the antics of Rod and his mates. The camping, paint-balling, short lived pool team and general conversations are all laced with humour.
The thing is, I didn't feel like any of the words were wasted and I didn't want to miss any of them. Not because I wouldn't know what was happening but because I just didn't want to miss any, not one.
Going into book three, I know what to expect next - something wonderful.
December 16, 2012
I do not think that Stuart was sponsored by the Chelmsford town / city council to write this book since he expertly outlines some key shortcomings ( not confined to the Chelmsford area) This reads like Robert Rankin circa the Brentford Trilogy, mainly because the pub is a central element in the the story, with a dose of spiritualism. The author's jocular style allows the reader to encounter each character on a superficial level, as a first impression and we are encouraged to scoff a little bit. Then, we begin to understand them as the narrator supplies the backstory. This book retaught me why I love books, probably more than any other medium, because it is some way into the book before we get a clear description of the main character, if I had seen this on TV I am not sure that I would have kept watching or wanted to watch in the first place. Great stuff
August 7, 2012
I loved this book!! Stuart’s writing is so beautiful I can’t just skim through it; I am compelled to read some paragraphs over and over again. This is the third book of his I have read and as with the previous two I wanted to go straight back to the beginning and read it again. If you’re feeling a tad disgruntled with the injustices of the world this book will give you hope. It will also make you laugh out loud at some of the clever wit interspersed throughout. The end was not what I expected and I’m glad I didn’t and wouldn't even consider reading the last page first as this would have spoiled the whole experience and that’s what I believe a Stuart Ayris book is - a wonderful experience.
S plendid
T errific
U nusual
A ngelic
R apturing
T oppermost
S plendid
T errific
U nusual
A ngelic
R apturing
T oppermost
January 6, 2013
This is the second book in the excellent "FRUGALITY" series by this talented author. Although it nominally takes place more in the real world than the first installment, "Tollesbury Time Forever", it shares the same theme of there being more to life than most of us ever consider. Casual asides of wisdom litter the pages to make us smile or make us think. I was quickly caught up in the story of Rod, who undergoes a remarkable transformation. Ultimately I would say the book contains a powerful message about letting go and forgiving, something that we could all use these days! A multifaceted book teeming with memorable characters. I can't wait for the last in this trilogy.
March 26, 2013
I read this book in very quick succession to Tollesbury Time Forever (Book 1 in the FRUGALITY Trilogy)...I was enthralled by the first book, and even more so with the second. Both books are very different from my normal genre but wow, I have not been as captivated as I was with both books in a long while... from the way it was written, the characters, the humour, all very deeply moving and heartwarming! Stuart is definitely an author I will be keeping tabs on, his writing is unique and compelling. I cannot wait for the third in the FRUGALITY Trilogy to be released... in the meantime I shall be indulging in Stuart's first novel... A Cleansing of Souls.
August 23, 2012
I Believe in Angels!
Stuart's poeticism continues in the second installment of FRUGALITY (which I can only think of in capital letters, nowadays). This novel takes you to a place which is so familiar and yet so fantastic in its strangeness; the main characters are at once both believeable and esoteric. There is no point in trying to explain Stuart's work to anyone, and believe me I have tried, you just have to plunge in yourself and enjoy.
Stuart's poeticism continues in the second installment of FRUGALITY (which I can only think of in capital letters, nowadays). This novel takes you to a place which is so familiar and yet so fantastic in its strangeness; the main characters are at once both believeable and esoteric. There is no point in trying to explain Stuart's work to anyone, and believe me I have tried, you just have to plunge in yourself and enjoy.
June 17, 2013
A very different read from book one of the FRUGALITY trilogy, but equally brilliant. Indeed, I enjoyed this more. There are some utterly hilarious moments, as well as some that are truly heart-rending.
The characters are so much fun (Ray and Danny especially) and are so well developed that there is a real sense of being there with them. The story unfolds beautifully, and I have totally fallen in love with the way the author writes.
Stuart Ayris, you are amazing! Keep up the good work.
The characters are so much fun (Ray and Danny especially) and are so well developed that there is a real sense of being there with them. The story unfolds beautifully, and I have totally fallen in love with the way the author writes.
Stuart Ayris, you are amazing! Keep up the good work.
August 12, 2013
when my sister told me the idea behind this book I was intrigued which is what made me decide to download the trilogy. a dwarf and a washing machine which causes a prison sentence! well who wouldn't be intrigued? this book is hilarious in places but also sad. I loved all the characters but especially rod. a fabulous read from a fabulous author! go on treat yourself buy all 3 you won't regret it!
April 4, 2013
Just, wow. I was worried this wouldn't be as good as Tollesbury Time Forever but... It is. Can't wait for book three to come out, even if it does mean my emotions get put through the wringer for a third time.
March 25, 2013
This book is second in the FRUGALITY trilogy, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone read.
This book is pure poetry! Well it's prose, which is pure poetry... in my humble opinion. It's very unusual, the story is not complex but it is fantastical. It has humour, good and evil and a bunch of good mates. It is a voyage of discovery and is multi-layered, but mostly it is just beautifully written. I can't do the book justice, you need to read it really!
This book is pure poetry! Well it's prose, which is pure poetry... in my humble opinion. It's very unusual, the story is not complex but it is fantastical. It has humour, good and evil and a bunch of good mates. It is a voyage of discovery and is multi-layered, but mostly it is just beautifully written. I can't do the book justice, you need to read it really!
March 24, 2013
I didn't really like this. It was a story that went off on a lot of random tangents. It was confusing and I felt like I needed to be drunk or high to catch the meaning most of the time. Okay, but not great.
March 16, 2013
This is the second of a trilogy after Tollesbury Time. But it appears to be only a part of a series in similar writing and philosophy. It won't matter which you read first. This one has a somewhat less hopeful tone than the first, which I felt had a too perfect ending.
August 10, 2013
I wonder what i am just not getting about this series...they come so well reviewed...and although they are well written I can't find myself raving about them.
This was interesting enough that I will see the trilogy through to the end,but I felt some of this was a bit pointless.
Oh dear.
This was interesting enough that I will see the trilogy through to the end,but I felt some of this was a bit pointless.
Oh dear.
August 10, 2015
This is a much different book from Book One. It is a coarser story with hope and hopelessness. It is about Rod and his friends at the pub... and about relationships ... and angels. It is humorous and deep - and sad. I hope book 3 brings a better resolution though
February 13, 2013
Great. Beautifully written and funny! Especially the reference to the publisher about Tollesbury Time! Nice touch.
February 18, 2013
Good read. Could tell what the ending was going to be and was willing that I was wrong. But I wasn't.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews