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The Fairy Wren
Bizarre visions. Bad decisions. And one man’s descent into madness…or magic.
Paul Fischer is one step away from rock bottom. With his bookstore on its last leg, a pending eviction and a failed relationship, he’s at his breaking point. When his ex Rachel calls begging for help, it’s only the beginning of the troubles to come.
Rachel is missing and no one can reach her. Worse still, his best friend is determined to solve Paul’s money problems in the shadiest way possible. Desperate to reclaim the life he lost while staying out of jail, his only hope is a strange fairy wren sending him messages and visions. Has Paul’s grip on reality shattered under the strain, or is there more magic in the world than he ever dreamed possible?
The Fairy Wren is a twisting lit fic tale of one man’s spiral into mental crisis and magic. If you love themes on the dangerous grip of nostalgia and unquenchable hope in face of adversity, dive into The Fairy Wren.
Paul Fischer is one step away from rock bottom. With his bookstore on its last leg, a pending eviction and a failed relationship, he’s at his breaking point. When his ex Rachel calls begging for help, it’s only the beginning of the troubles to come.
Rachel is missing and no one can reach her. Worse still, his best friend is determined to solve Paul’s money problems in the shadiest way possible. Desperate to reclaim the life he lost while staying out of jail, his only hope is a strange fairy wren sending him messages and visions. Has Paul’s grip on reality shattered under the strain, or is there more magic in the world than he ever dreamed possible?
The Fairy Wren is a twisting lit fic tale of one man’s spiral into mental crisis and magic. If you love themes on the dangerous grip of nostalgia and unquenchable hope in face of adversity, dive into The Fairy Wren.
238 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2014
72 people are currently reading
1418 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Capes
76 books576 followersAshley is a poet, novelist and ex-teacher living in Australia.
He taught English, Media and Music Production, played in a metal band, worked in an art gallery and slaved away at music retail. Aside from reading and writing, Ashley loves volleyball and Studio Ghibli – and Magnum PI, easily one of the greatest television shows ever made.
See poetry and fiction at http://ashleycapes.com/
He taught English, Media and Music Production, played in a metal band, worked in an art gallery and slaved away at music retail. Aside from reading and writing, Ashley loves volleyball and Studio Ghibli – and Magnum PI, easily one of the greatest television shows ever made.
See poetry and fiction at http://ashleycapes.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 7, 2015
Ashley Capes has written a story as beautiful as the cover.
Have you ever had a time in your life when everything just seems to be going wrong and you can barely keep your head above water? That is exactly how Paul’s life is going. His wife has left him and his bookshop is going under. On top of that his rent is about to be increased. Where can he possibly go from here? A friend offers him a financial proposition. But Paul isn’t that low that he will do something illegal – or is he?
Capes has drawn such everyday, ordinary people I feel like they are real people I can empathise with. I can visualise the seaside town of Stony Bay with its strip of shops and friendly shopkeepers. It’s very easy to be drawn into Paul’s world and want things to improve for him. Paul however is guided by his emotions and makes a lot of crazy decisions that get him deeper and deeper into trouble.
The only thing that let the story down for me was towards the end it started to become a bit disconnected and had too many separate elements all packed into the one story.
The mentions of books and music throughout the story are an added treat for book and music lovers.
My opinion is read it, go along for the ride; you will never guess where the story will take you.
Have you ever had a time in your life when everything just seems to be going wrong and you can barely keep your head above water? That is exactly how Paul’s life is going. His wife has left him and his bookshop is going under. On top of that his rent is about to be increased. Where can he possibly go from here? A friend offers him a financial proposition. But Paul isn’t that low that he will do something illegal – or is he?
Capes has drawn such everyday, ordinary people I feel like they are real people I can empathise with. I can visualise the seaside town of Stony Bay with its strip of shops and friendly shopkeepers. It’s very easy to be drawn into Paul’s world and want things to improve for him. Paul however is guided by his emotions and makes a lot of crazy decisions that get him deeper and deeper into trouble.
The only thing that let the story down for me was towards the end it started to become a bit disconnected and had too many separate elements all packed into the one story.
The mentions of books and music throughout the story are an added treat for book and music lovers.
My opinion is read it, go along for the ride; you will never guess where the story will take you.
May 2, 2018
Paul Fischer and his bookshop had been partners for a long while – but the introduction of e-readers had seen a downturn in sales. And with the rents of their street in Stony Bay due to rise, Paul knew he had no choice but to sell. He wasn’t sure what he would do – he was preparing for a divorce from his wife Rachel – soon to be ex – his business was worthless, and his rent was becoming a struggle.
But with the appearance of a little blue fairy wren, and a young Italian girl into his life, Paul found his troubles suddenly became much worse. He was in danger – and he wasn’t sure if he could do anything about it…
The Fairy Wren by Aussie author Ashley Capes is a delightful mixture of mystery and fantasy; of heartache, hope and anguish. Paul Fischer is a likeable guy who has many misfortunes thrown at him, and he makes several bad decisions. But the little fairy wren was special. I always enjoy this author’s writing and look forward to reading more. Recommended.
But with the appearance of a little blue fairy wren, and a young Italian girl into his life, Paul found his troubles suddenly became much worse. He was in danger – and he wasn’t sure if he could do anything about it…
The Fairy Wren by Aussie author Ashley Capes is a delightful mixture of mystery and fantasy; of heartache, hope and anguish. Paul Fischer is a likeable guy who has many misfortunes thrown at him, and he makes several bad decisions. But the little fairy wren was special. I always enjoy this author’s writing and look forward to reading more. Recommended.
August 6, 2019
A wonderful hodge podge of mystery, drama, family, danger, a search for answers, undying love, and a touch of magic!
Paul's store, Stony Bay Books, is in trouble.
The new releases looked to be hibernating and the second-hand section up back, it's shelves lined with creased spines, should have had at least one lovable nerd foraging for an obscure title. Instead it was home only to pleasant sunlight streaming in from the skylight — which despite it's pleasantness, didn't look like it was going to by something.
Paul's life goes downhill fast when he is forced to close his bookstore. He makes plenty of trouble for himself ending up in desperate need of a lawyer. Then he notices an unusual blue fairy wren for the second time.
It was the same bird. Had to be. He had no way to prove it other than a feeling, but how many fairy wrens had he seen in the last five or even ten years?
Once again the bird was agitated, twitching it's head side to side as it moved. For a moment it grew still, giving him a long look before taking flight.
Is the little fairy wren trying to tell him something? With nothing to lose, he follows it. What he discovers next will change his life forever.
The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes is a lovely book! A book about books! I wanted to go into Stony Bay Books and buy heaps of books! It broke my heart when it closed!
The book is not what I was expecting but in a good way.
I wasn't expecting the bookstore to be such a big part of the story and I had pictured the fairy wren to be a bigger part of the storyline. The genre was more mystery suspense than fantasy, too, which was a surprise. I loved everything about it!
A struggling bookstore, a runaway child who only speaks Italian, a mysterious rare blue fairy wren, a search full of uncertainty, moments of anguish, and breathtaking magic that made me cry! What's not to love?
I enjoyed every minute!
Thanks to Brenda for choosing another brilliant read!
I will be reading more novels by Ashley Capes!
Paul's store, Stony Bay Books, is in trouble.
The new releases looked to be hibernating and the second-hand section up back, it's shelves lined with creased spines, should have had at least one lovable nerd foraging for an obscure title. Instead it was home only to pleasant sunlight streaming in from the skylight — which despite it's pleasantness, didn't look like it was going to by something.
Paul's life goes downhill fast when he is forced to close his bookstore. He makes plenty of trouble for himself ending up in desperate need of a lawyer. Then he notices an unusual blue fairy wren for the second time.
It was the same bird. Had to be. He had no way to prove it other than a feeling, but how many fairy wrens had he seen in the last five or even ten years?
Once again the bird was agitated, twitching it's head side to side as it moved. For a moment it grew still, giving him a long look before taking flight.
Is the little fairy wren trying to tell him something? With nothing to lose, he follows it. What he discovers next will change his life forever.
The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes is a lovely book! A book about books! I wanted to go into Stony Bay Books and buy heaps of books! It broke my heart when it closed!
The book is not what I was expecting but in a good way.
I wasn't expecting the bookstore to be such a big part of the story and I had pictured the fairy wren to be a bigger part of the storyline. The genre was more mystery suspense than fantasy, too, which was a surprise. I loved everything about it!
A struggling bookstore, a runaway child who only speaks Italian, a mysterious rare blue fairy wren, a search full of uncertainty, moments of anguish, and breathtaking magic that made me cry! What's not to love?
I enjoyed every minute!
Thanks to Brenda for choosing another brilliant read!
I will be reading more novels by Ashley Capes!
June 28, 2016
3★
Capes handles his words well, and I enjoy his writing style. I also enjoy fantasy where we are asked to suspend disbelief in order to accept some extraordinary connections between events or characters—in this case between Paul, the protagonist and the fairy wren of the title (and subject of the most beautiful book cover I’ve seen in a long time).
I’m happy to overlook conventional rules and accept that something unpredictable might happen, but it doesn’t mean I accept that real-life consequences aren’t dealt with as they would be in today’s Australia. I don’t need all loose ends tied up neatly, but I need to feel a sense of explanation as to where they’re headed.
Paul’s got everything going against him. His bookshop’s being closed, he’s in debt, his wife’s left, his best friend seems to be a petty crim, a pre-teen Italian girl speaking no English turns up on his doorstep, as well as a gorgeous fairy wren that may or may not mean something somehow.
Things and people and events keep turning up out of the blue. When a woman who turns up suddenly on his doorstep to warn him about her boss (with whom he’d had a row) she unexpectedly comes onto him and things heat up. I have no idea where that came from or why—nor did Paul, but he enjoyed it.
Meanwhile, his wife has an intervention order out against him, but then SHE turns up at his door—one day while the aforementioned love interest is “visiting"—so she beats a hasty retreat.
When the best friend/petty crim approaches him with yet another scam, Paul is so beset with problems (in spite of, or maybe including, the new love interest), that he weakens and listens. The petty criminal activities escalate, and things get messy.
“Despite the bravado, he didn’t have any ideas, no clever plan. The store was gone for good. He’d fucked it up and was left with a house he didn’t own, several hundred kilograms of unsold stock and a slew of legal issues. What he did have was a degree in business management, a crazy bird stalking him and a headache.”*
I wish the plotlines were tightened, but I will check whatever Capes comes up with next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy for review.
*Quotation from advanced review copy, subject to change.
Capes handles his words well, and I enjoy his writing style. I also enjoy fantasy where we are asked to suspend disbelief in order to accept some extraordinary connections between events or characters—in this case between Paul, the protagonist and the fairy wren of the title (and subject of the most beautiful book cover I’ve seen in a long time).
I’m happy to overlook conventional rules and accept that something unpredictable might happen, but it doesn’t mean I accept that real-life consequences aren’t dealt with as they would be in today’s Australia. I don’t need all loose ends tied up neatly, but I need to feel a sense of explanation as to where they’re headed.
Paul’s got everything going against him. His bookshop’s being closed, he’s in debt, his wife’s left, his best friend seems to be a petty crim, a pre-teen Italian girl speaking no English turns up on his doorstep, as well as a gorgeous fairy wren that may or may not mean something somehow.
Things and people and events keep turning up out of the blue. When a woman who turns up suddenly on his doorstep to warn him about her boss (with whom he’d had a row) she unexpectedly comes onto him and things heat up. I have no idea where that came from or why—nor did Paul, but he enjoyed it.
Meanwhile, his wife has an intervention order out against him, but then SHE turns up at his door—one day while the aforementioned love interest is “visiting"—so she beats a hasty retreat.
When the best friend/petty crim approaches him with yet another scam, Paul is so beset with problems (in spite of, or maybe including, the new love interest), that he weakens and listens. The petty criminal activities escalate, and things get messy.
“Despite the bravado, he didn’t have any ideas, no clever plan. The store was gone for good. He’d fucked it up and was left with a house he didn’t own, several hundred kilograms of unsold stock and a slew of legal issues. What he did have was a degree in business management, a crazy bird stalking him and a headache.”*
I wish the plotlines were tightened, but I will check whatever Capes comes up with next. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy for review.
*Quotation from advanced review copy, subject to change.
May 18, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
The Fairy Wren is a book unlike any that I've read before. This was a book that I tried to take my time reading so that I could savor it, but found myself at the end all too quickly. I certainly had NO idea where this book was going, but I was definitely not disappointed. This book is really well written, and I don't understand why it hasn't gotten more attention. It's unlike everything else, and that is probably why. Does originality scare people away?
I found myself absolutely captivated with the story line, with all the unexpected twists and criminal behavior. The fairy wren itself also added another whole level of mystery and intrigue. This is one of those books I want to make everyone read. When I got to the end and found out that Ashley Capes is also a poet, I wasn't surprised. The whole book is beautifully written, yet not overly descriptive.
The Fairy Wren is a book unlike any that I've read before. This was a book that I tried to take my time reading so that I could savor it, but found myself at the end all too quickly. I certainly had NO idea where this book was going, but I was definitely not disappointed. This book is really well written, and I don't understand why it hasn't gotten more attention. It's unlike everything else, and that is probably why. Does originality scare people away?
I found myself absolutely captivated with the story line, with all the unexpected twists and criminal behavior. The fairy wren itself also added another whole level of mystery and intrigue. This is one of those books I want to make everyone read. When I got to the end and found out that Ashley Capes is also a poet, I wasn't surprised. The whole book is beautifully written, yet not overly descriptive.
July 19, 2017
3.5 Stars, Completed October 17, 2015
Not only have I been in an awful reading slump for the past few weeks but also a reviewing/blogging slump as well. This was the last book I was able to read before I fell into that strange non-reading period, and I'm so glad that during my time away I finally found the words to describe how I felt about The Fairy Wren.
This book begins with the readers meeting Paul Fischer, a guy who just can't seem to catch a break. His bookshop is doing poorly, his wife has left him, and on top of all things he meets a preteen, Nepali runaway, has a shady friend struggling with his own problems and needs Paul's help, and notices a blue, magic wren suspiciously following him. Throughout the story, it seems like questions are only followed by even more questions and uncertainties.
Initially, I thought this book was going to be an adult fantasy infused with some contemporary elements but it ended up being a magical realism mystery, which was nice and refreshing since I don't give the magical realism genre enough attention as a reader.
Something unique about The Fairy Wren for me was how likable Paul Fischer was despite his impulsive behavior. Paul isn't a protagonist I'm usually drawn towards but I couldn't help but find his thoughts to be very real and justified. I found myself sympathetic towards his struggles throughout the book. Even to the point where I was skeptical of every new character introduced-Paul just didn't need any more misfortunes or betrayals.
However, I was a bit disappointed that The Fairy Wren didn't really bring out the bookworm in Paul. Understandably so though since the bookstore wasn't doing well anyhow. Plus, Paul was rarely in his store (because he ends up making a decision with the store that disables him to). Yet, I guess the reader in me was hoping to see this anyway.
As for the writing, it was superb, which isn't really an aspect I was very surprised by since I already picked up Ashley's nice writing style through our email correspondence months prior to reading this. Ashley had just the right amount of descriptive prose that it didn't appear showy or hard to follow. Besides, there were a lot of stuff going on in terms of plot with Paul's friend and the runaway, so having a less complex but well written prose was probably the better approach and worked really nicely.
And speaking of the plot, there were parts of it that I really enjoyed and some I didn't feel as invested in. I really liked the mystery angle with Paul's friend but I didn't really care for the arc with the Nepali runaway. She does play a greater role towards the end but I, personally, thought her and her story to be a little extra. Of course, being a huge fan of fantasy and magic, I also liked the idea of the fairy wren. Although, I wished that the magical part of the bird was emphasized more. Maybe even a little of imaginative mythology would have been nice. But this is just a personal opinion. So I guess in terms of plot this was one of those "it's not you, it's me" type of books. I can easily see why this was a four or five star read for some. But for me, my mixed feelings towards the plot was why I deducted the amount of stars I did.
The final verdict is that if you're interested in unpredictable stories, want to delve into the contemporary/fantasy crossover genre, or just want to read a book set in Australia that actually depicts and describes the country some, I'd wholeheartedly suggest this one!
---
Thank you, Ashley, for sending me a copy of your book! In no way did this affect my reading experience or honest review.
---
More reviews at Xingsings
Not only have I been in an awful reading slump for the past few weeks but also a reviewing/blogging slump as well. This was the last book I was able to read before I fell into that strange non-reading period, and I'm so glad that during my time away I finally found the words to describe how I felt about The Fairy Wren.
This book begins with the readers meeting Paul Fischer, a guy who just can't seem to catch a break. His bookshop is doing poorly, his wife has left him, and on top of all things he meets a preteen, Nepali runaway, has a shady friend struggling with his own problems and needs Paul's help, and notices a blue, magic wren suspiciously following him. Throughout the story, it seems like questions are only followed by even more questions and uncertainties.
Initially, I thought this book was going to be an adult fantasy infused with some contemporary elements but it ended up being a magical realism mystery, which was nice and refreshing since I don't give the magical realism genre enough attention as a reader.
Something unique about The Fairy Wren for me was how likable Paul Fischer was despite his impulsive behavior. Paul isn't a protagonist I'm usually drawn towards but I couldn't help but find his thoughts to be very real and justified. I found myself sympathetic towards his struggles throughout the book. Even to the point where I was skeptical of every new character introduced-Paul just didn't need any more misfortunes or betrayals.
However, I was a bit disappointed that The Fairy Wren didn't really bring out the bookworm in Paul. Understandably so though since the bookstore wasn't doing well anyhow. Plus, Paul was rarely in his store (because he ends up making a decision with the store that disables him to). Yet, I guess the reader in me was hoping to see this anyway.
As for the writing, it was superb, which isn't really an aspect I was very surprised by since I already picked up Ashley's nice writing style through our email correspondence months prior to reading this. Ashley had just the right amount of descriptive prose that it didn't appear showy or hard to follow. Besides, there were a lot of stuff going on in terms of plot with Paul's friend and the runaway, so having a less complex but well written prose was probably the better approach and worked really nicely.
And speaking of the plot, there were parts of it that I really enjoyed and some I didn't feel as invested in. I really liked the mystery angle with Paul's friend but I didn't really care for the arc with the Nepali runaway. She does play a greater role towards the end but I, personally, thought her and her story to be a little extra. Of course, being a huge fan of fantasy and magic, I also liked the idea of the fairy wren. Although, I wished that the magical part of the bird was emphasized more. Maybe even a little of imaginative mythology would have been nice. But this is just a personal opinion. So I guess in terms of plot this was one of those "it's not you, it's me" type of books. I can easily see why this was a four or five star read for some. But for me, my mixed feelings towards the plot was why I deducted the amount of stars I did.
The final verdict is that if you're interested in unpredictable stories, want to delve into the contemporary/fantasy crossover genre, or just want to read a book set in Australia that actually depicts and describes the country some, I'd wholeheartedly suggest this one!
---
Thank you, Ashley, for sending me a copy of your book! In no way did this affect my reading experience or honest review.
---
More reviews at Xingsings
April 3, 2018
There’s a book I come across once in a blue moon that stirs my soul. This is such a book. I was intrigued by the blurb and the cover is beautiful. I kept asking myself while reading it, why have I never heard of this author before? Why hasn’t the Big 5 picked him up?
Paul Fischer owns a small bookstore in Australia. He’s struggling to make ends meet while trying very hard not to think about his ex-wife Rachel. A strange phone call by a woman piques Paul’s curiosity. Could it be Rachel? Is she in trouble? A fairy wren pops up at the most unusual times and after a few mishaps, Paul starts to pay attention. Maybe there is something magical about this bird?
I loved this book! Have I mentioned that yet? I loved the storytelling abilities of the author, Ashley Capes. I loved being immersed in Australia and his descriptive narration propelled me there without having to book a flight.
The author created rich, well-developed characters with problems just like me. They were incredibly relatable with captivating dialogue. The journey of Paul as he tries to find out what this blue bird is trying to tell him touched me in a deep way.
If you’re looking for a little magic, read this book! You’ll love the fantasy aspect while chuckling your way through the messes Paul gets himself into. I can’t reveal more… you have to read it for yourself!
Favorite Character:
Paul. I loved Paul. He’s your typical old-school bookseller (totally relate) trying to figure his life out. He’s not your typical fantasy protagonist and that is one of the reasons why I love him. He’s insecure, still in love with his ex-wife and makes poor choices now and again. In the end, he’s a lot like you and me.
Favorite Quote: “I want to be part of her life.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/
Paul Fischer owns a small bookstore in Australia. He’s struggling to make ends meet while trying very hard not to think about his ex-wife Rachel. A strange phone call by a woman piques Paul’s curiosity. Could it be Rachel? Is she in trouble? A fairy wren pops up at the most unusual times and after a few mishaps, Paul starts to pay attention. Maybe there is something magical about this bird?
I loved this book! Have I mentioned that yet? I loved the storytelling abilities of the author, Ashley Capes. I loved being immersed in Australia and his descriptive narration propelled me there without having to book a flight.
The author created rich, well-developed characters with problems just like me. They were incredibly relatable with captivating dialogue. The journey of Paul as he tries to find out what this blue bird is trying to tell him touched me in a deep way.
If you’re looking for a little magic, read this book! You’ll love the fantasy aspect while chuckling your way through the messes Paul gets himself into. I can’t reveal more… you have to read it for yourself!
Favorite Character:
Paul. I loved Paul. He’s your typical old-school bookseller (totally relate) trying to figure his life out. He’s not your typical fantasy protagonist and that is one of the reasons why I love him. He’s insecure, still in love with his ex-wife and makes poor choices now and again. In the end, he’s a lot like you and me.
Favorite Quote: “I want to be part of her life.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/
March 16, 2016
I really wanted to like this, but for some reason it just didn't work for me. When I see other reviews, it seems like people are reading a different book. I didn't think it was all that well written (the dialogue, in particular, was quite stilted), I didn't have much sympathy for the protagonist, and I didn't feel the magical elements were well integrated or believable (although the pay-off in the end does make things have some kind of sense to them). Three stars only because the ultimate pay-off is quite satisfying, with the proviso that I might not have bothered finishing it had it not been a NetGalley book.
I was provided a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2016
This is one of those books where the main character makes a seemingly never-ending string of bad choices that snowball into worse situation and leave you wondering how he could possibly be so stupid, but has you completely wrapped up anyway. Every time Paul made yet another poor life choice I though, "what are you doing!? wel, let's see how this plays out." This is set in Australia and written by an Australian author, so the slang and terminology is a bit different and the weather doesn't match up with the time of year for an American, but it didn't hurt the enjoyment of the story at all.
This was a really interesting, well-written story with a kind of bittersweet ending. Very good read.
This was a really interesting, well-written story with a kind of bittersweet ending. Very good read.
January 11, 2015
I confess. I love a well written book. I'm always searching for books that were beautifully crafted, books that make me think and books that inspire me to dream about the possibilities that each turn of the page will bring. The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes accomplished all of this and more!
The Fairy Wren can best be described as literature infused with fantasy. The story itself is touching and what I enjoyed the most about it is that it is completely original; at no time did I find myself comparing it with any other book, which, unfortunately happens all too frequently. I was immediately made to empathize with the protagonist Paul who is struggling in almost every aspect of his life; his bookstore is suffering and his marriage is ending, which of course, affects his other interpersonal relationships and his overall outlook on life; "every time he convinced himself that things weren't getting worse, something proved him hideously wrong"!
The novel is beautifully descriptive in its exploration of small town living and the relationships that are forged with in the seaside village of Stony Bay. I especially LOVED having access to Paul's censored thoughts during his conversations, which, not only gave me insight into the "real" Paul but also made me smile. One of the first examples of this occurs when an ignorant customer asks if Paul is not aware that the customer is always right to which he thinks " I've heard that the customer is an insufferable harpy without even a rudimentary grasp of good manners, actually." but of course he chooses to proceed with a socially acceptable response instead. As the novel progresses Paul begins to hold back less and I find myself liking him more.While Paul holds back a lot, I LOVE how he uses honesty in the novel. He uses it genuinely most of the time, like when he has to tell his friend something difficult, but he also ingeniously uses it to disarm people when he wants to escape a conversation and he even wields it like a weapon when he wants to manipulate what a police officer thinks about him.
As the plot develops, Paul's life is touched by a fragile magic brought to him on the wings of love, which literally leads him on a journey of life or death. It's a journey that I am thankful that I was able to take with him and it's a journey that anyone who appreciates exceptional writing will enjoy as well!
The Fairy Wren can best be described as literature infused with fantasy. The story itself is touching and what I enjoyed the most about it is that it is completely original; at no time did I find myself comparing it with any other book, which, unfortunately happens all too frequently. I was immediately made to empathize with the protagonist Paul who is struggling in almost every aspect of his life; his bookstore is suffering and his marriage is ending, which of course, affects his other interpersonal relationships and his overall outlook on life; "every time he convinced himself that things weren't getting worse, something proved him hideously wrong"!
The novel is beautifully descriptive in its exploration of small town living and the relationships that are forged with in the seaside village of Stony Bay. I especially LOVED having access to Paul's censored thoughts during his conversations, which, not only gave me insight into the "real" Paul but also made me smile. One of the first examples of this occurs when an ignorant customer asks if Paul is not aware that the customer is always right to which he thinks " I've heard that the customer is an insufferable harpy without even a rudimentary grasp of good manners, actually." but of course he chooses to proceed with a socially acceptable response instead. As the novel progresses Paul begins to hold back less and I find myself liking him more.While Paul holds back a lot, I LOVE how he uses honesty in the novel. He uses it genuinely most of the time, like when he has to tell his friend something difficult, but he also ingeniously uses it to disarm people when he wants to escape a conversation and he even wields it like a weapon when he wants to manipulate what a police officer thinks about him.
As the plot develops, Paul's life is touched by a fragile magic brought to him on the wings of love, which literally leads him on a journey of life or death. It's a journey that I am thankful that I was able to take with him and it's a journey that anyone who appreciates exceptional writing will enjoy as well!
May 9, 2018
Everything in Paul Fischer's life seems to be going down the drain. His wife has left him and put a restraining order on him. His book store is going broke which means he might lose the house plus it is a link to his dead parents as they left the lease to him. And his best friend, Jon, wants him to get involved in some shonky behaviour. And a teenage girl runaway seems to be running to him, making him look even more suspicious to the police. Unfortunately, at every turn Paul seems to be making the wrong choices and the mess is getting deeper.
Then suddenly the blue Fairy Wren starts appearing in his life. What can it mean? When it drops Paul's lost wedding ring at his feet, not only does he realise that there are more things in the world than he ever dreamed of, but that the Fairy Wren needs him to do something, if only he can work out what it is.
While I enjoyed this book, I found that some of the subplots came out of nowhere and seemed to have little connection to the story. I felt a bit like I came in on the second act and left halfway through the final act. While I don't need to have everything tied up in a pretty bow, I do like to have an idea of whether the positive outcomes might outweigh the negative consequences for at least some of the characters. I also found myself incredulous at several places. If you are going to set fantasy in the real world then the real world has to be very real and you must get the details of police and other procedures right.
That said, I still enjoyed this book which says much for the quality of the writing!
Then suddenly the blue Fairy Wren starts appearing in his life. What can it mean? When it drops Paul's lost wedding ring at his feet, not only does he realise that there are more things in the world than he ever dreamed of, but that the Fairy Wren needs him to do something, if only he can work out what it is.
While I enjoyed this book, I found that some of the subplots came out of nowhere and seemed to have little connection to the story. I felt a bit like I came in on the second act and left halfway through the final act. While I don't need to have everything tied up in a pretty bow, I do like to have an idea of whether the positive outcomes might outweigh the negative consequences for at least some of the characters. I also found myself incredulous at several places. If you are going to set fantasy in the real world then the real world has to be very real and you must get the details of police and other procedures right.
That said, I still enjoyed this book which says much for the quality of the writing!
January 8, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes is a fantasy novel. It follows Paul Fischer during one of the worst times of his life. Paul is separated from his wife, about to lose his bookstore, nagged by a shady friend, and dealing with an Italian runaway. On top of all of that, he receives a mysterious phone call that makes him concerned for his ex-wife and seems to be stalked by a fairy wren, who appears to be more than just a normal bird.
Paul is the working person’s hero. While he is not in a blue collar field, he has that “real” person charm, which is most strongly reflected in his fights (both literal and figurative) with the rich real estate tycoons. Paul is a complex, imperfect character, and I mean “imperfect” in the best way. He is flawed, and he recognizes it. He reacts poorly under stress, and he quickly becomes the underdog that the reader cannot help but root for.
There are a lot of secondary characters in The Fairy Wren, and Capes does a fantastic job of balancing them. Each character feels fleshed out, even the ones we do not see often, and fits firmly in his/her place in the community. Likewise, the relationships between Paul and the supporting characters feel organic and filled with history. This chemistry makes the story that much more compelling.
As far as the plot goes, there is a lot going on in The Fairy Wren. Paul’s life is falling apart, piece by piece, and he is juggling conflict from all angles. However, Capes masterfully leads the reader down each path and manages to interweave them in a way that is simultaneously creative, sensible, and satisfying. There is rarely a dull moment in the novel, and with the wide variety of Paul’s problems, there is something that will interest nearly every reader in this novel.
That being said, my one critique of The Fairy Wren is that I think the author’s classification of it as a fantasy novel isn’t entirely accurate. There are fantasy elements, most notably at the end, but the rest of the novel reads much more like literary fiction, or perhaps light magical realism. Likewise, there is a thriller element to the novel, especially with the plots around Paul’s friend and Paul’s ex-wife. This was a pleasant and captivating surprise, and I think advertising the thriller edge might attract even more readers.
Overall, The Fairy Wren is a compelling and complex novel. It grapples with serious themes—everything from life, death, and love to financial problems, psychological imbalance, and criminal activity. The novel is captivating and will pull readers through to the end quickly. With the diverse plot points, there is something for everyone (specifically readers of fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, and thrillers) in The Fairy Wren.
The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes is a fantasy novel. It follows Paul Fischer during one of the worst times of his life. Paul is separated from his wife, about to lose his bookstore, nagged by a shady friend, and dealing with an Italian runaway. On top of all of that, he receives a mysterious phone call that makes him concerned for his ex-wife and seems to be stalked by a fairy wren, who appears to be more than just a normal bird.
Paul is the working person’s hero. While he is not in a blue collar field, he has that “real” person charm, which is most strongly reflected in his fights (both literal and figurative) with the rich real estate tycoons. Paul is a complex, imperfect character, and I mean “imperfect” in the best way. He is flawed, and he recognizes it. He reacts poorly under stress, and he quickly becomes the underdog that the reader cannot help but root for.
There are a lot of secondary characters in The Fairy Wren, and Capes does a fantastic job of balancing them. Each character feels fleshed out, even the ones we do not see often, and fits firmly in his/her place in the community. Likewise, the relationships between Paul and the supporting characters feel organic and filled with history. This chemistry makes the story that much more compelling.
As far as the plot goes, there is a lot going on in The Fairy Wren. Paul’s life is falling apart, piece by piece, and he is juggling conflict from all angles. However, Capes masterfully leads the reader down each path and manages to interweave them in a way that is simultaneously creative, sensible, and satisfying. There is rarely a dull moment in the novel, and with the wide variety of Paul’s problems, there is something that will interest nearly every reader in this novel.
That being said, my one critique of The Fairy Wren is that I think the author’s classification of it as a fantasy novel isn’t entirely accurate. There are fantasy elements, most notably at the end, but the rest of the novel reads much more like literary fiction, or perhaps light magical realism. Likewise, there is a thriller element to the novel, especially with the plots around Paul’s friend and Paul’s ex-wife. This was a pleasant and captivating surprise, and I think advertising the thriller edge might attract even more readers.
Overall, The Fairy Wren is a compelling and complex novel. It grapples with serious themes—everything from life, death, and love to financial problems, psychological imbalance, and criminal activity. The novel is captivating and will pull readers through to the end quickly. With the diverse plot points, there is something for everyone (specifically readers of fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, and thrillers) in The Fairy Wren.
December 18, 2016
I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had very high hopes for this book. A slightly cynical Librarian that had everything working against him. A tale of magical realism with a beautiful cover. I honestly thought that this was going to be a book that I was going to love. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. This quote from Lloyd Dahl sums up my first problem with the novel,
"Well, it is hard to believe how much trouble you've got yourself into-how much business you bring me."
I understand Capes giving our protagonist enough motivation to seek out the magical world that she has created. Motivation makes sense, especially for a bookseller down on his luck that lives in the world of fantasy every day. However, it got a little too unrealistic for me. I have seen many things in people's lives go wrong but I didn't like how Capes kept piling things onto our protagonist to dig him deeper and deeper into a hole. A divorce, dead parents, a criminal friend, assault charges, a failing bookstore..the list just kept building. And every time I thought that "this event must be the last straw", Paul did something else that dug him deeper into a hole, and he takes it. He doesn't fight back against any of the charges and he doesn't change his behavior. These things combined made him an unlikeable protagonist. I also was expecting much more magical realism, which I didn't get. 80 pages into the novel, the audience has still only seen the title character 3 times and had very little interaction with it. Most of this time has been setting up Paul as a character, as it keeps being dragged out.
There was also something about Capes's writing style that didn't jive with me. Her characters just all seemed a little, I don't know, like something was missing. And there wasn't much of a connection between characters either, even ones that have supposedly known each other for a large amount of Paul's life.
While I think that the cover is still stunning and that there were a lot of things that Capes could have made work in this novel, her stylistic choices and direction made me rate the book lower.
Overall:
2 1/2 stars out of 5
I had very high hopes for this book. A slightly cynical Librarian that had everything working against him. A tale of magical realism with a beautiful cover. I honestly thought that this was going to be a book that I was going to love. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. This quote from Lloyd Dahl sums up my first problem with the novel,
"Well, it is hard to believe how much trouble you've got yourself into-how much business you bring me."
I understand Capes giving our protagonist enough motivation to seek out the magical world that she has created. Motivation makes sense, especially for a bookseller down on his luck that lives in the world of fantasy every day. However, it got a little too unrealistic for me. I have seen many things in people's lives go wrong but I didn't like how Capes kept piling things onto our protagonist to dig him deeper and deeper into a hole. A divorce, dead parents, a criminal friend, assault charges, a failing bookstore..the list just kept building. And every time I thought that "this event must be the last straw", Paul did something else that dug him deeper into a hole, and he takes it. He doesn't fight back against any of the charges and he doesn't change his behavior. These things combined made him an unlikeable protagonist. I also was expecting much more magical realism, which I didn't get. 80 pages into the novel, the audience has still only seen the title character 3 times and had very little interaction with it. Most of this time has been setting up Paul as a character, as it keeps being dragged out.
There was also something about Capes's writing style that didn't jive with me. Her characters just all seemed a little, I don't know, like something was missing. And there wasn't much of a connection between characters either, even ones that have supposedly known each other for a large amount of Paul's life.
While I think that the cover is still stunning and that there were a lot of things that Capes could have made work in this novel, her stylistic choices and direction made me rate the book lower.
Overall:
2 1/2 stars out of 5
February 7, 2015
This was a wonderful book. From the cover of the book I was instantly captivated. To me, it has to be one of the most beautiful book covers of all time. Then from page one I continued to stay immersed in the story all the way through. What a gem this book is. It takes place in Australia, as that is where the actual author currently resides. The author is very sweet and I am privileged to have spoken to him here on Goodreads, as I won the book and the copy that I have is signed.
In brief the story revolves around a man who is a bookshop owner, who is losing it all. His wife, his shop, his friends, his reputation, his freedom, his dignity, his world...all slowly eeking away from him. One thing remains constant to him and that is a little blue Fairy Wren.
This little bird brings many things he didn't quite bargain for. I was caught up in this book like a tornado and it wouldn't let me go. Its a book that you will think about years later. There are lessons to be learned. I really cared for the main character and it takes a great author to make me do that.
I hope this fresh author goes very far in the book realm. He deserves it.
In brief the story revolves around a man who is a bookshop owner, who is losing it all. His wife, his shop, his friends, his reputation, his freedom, his dignity, his world...all slowly eeking away from him. One thing remains constant to him and that is a little blue Fairy Wren.
This little bird brings many things he didn't quite bargain for. I was caught up in this book like a tornado and it wouldn't let me go. Its a book that you will think about years later. There are lessons to be learned. I really cared for the main character and it takes a great author to make me do that.
I hope this fresh author goes very far in the book realm. He deserves it.
December 20, 2014
I received this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
When Ashley Capes contacted me concerning this book I was eager to accept the task, since I greatly enjoyed his City of Masks. I was warned beforehand that The Fairy Wren belonged to a different genre, so I was eager to see how a change of style and background would come across in his writing: it was different, indeed, to the point that I'm quite puzzled about how to classify this story (mainstream with a dash of fantasy is the closer I can come to it) - but despite this little obstacle, I liked the book quite a bit.
Paul Fischer is the owner of a struggling bookstore in the Australian city of Stony Bay: clients are few and far between and like other businesses along the street, Stony Bay Books is threatened by an incoming rent raise - a plot by the unpleasant and greedy lease-holder to evict the current shopkeepers in favor of more promising clients. This is not the only weight on Paul's shoulders: his wife Rachel left him a few months before for another man, and his repeated attempts to contact her and mend the rift have been met with a restraining order. Family and friends advise him to let go and concentrate on the shop and its survival, but Paul seems at first too dispirited to do anything about it, until something changes: he receives strange phone calls he's certain are from Rachel, who must be trying to contact him; a mysterious runaway child literally lands on his doorstep and the titular fairy wren appears in his garden, seemingly intent on conveying an urgent message to him.
This series of unrelated events effects an extraordinary change on Paul's listless attitude: he confronts the lease-holder head on, to the point of physically assaulting him, and he starts to take a more pro-active, or rather daring stance in his life. This does not mean that he emerges as a new, better man, though: he's still prone to blunders and there are instances where he defies both the law and common good sense in such a way that it's legitimate to wonder if he's not lost his mind or entered into a different dimension, one where little birds communicate with him, leading him on a quest that will have unforeseen results and will uncover strange happenings.
Paul Fischer's journey is a peculiar yet compelling one: clues add up in an intriguing way, and despite the down-to-earth quality of the events (let's not forget I'm a speculative fiction addict!!) I felt the need to know how the story worked out and how the characters would come through. Ashely Capes shows he's a convincing storyteller, no matter the genre he works with or the writing style he adopts: even in this "mundane" tale, he managed to keep my attention focused, which resulted in a quick and pleasant read.
One of the details I most appreciated was the fact that there is no definite "happily ever after", that some outcomes are left in a state of flux with no certainty about what the future will bring - and yet there is a clear change in the atmosphere, and in Paul's attitude toward life: a glimmer of hope has entered the equation, and altered the rules, showing how something small, indeed as small as a wren, can make a big difference.
If you're looking for a quick, uplifting tale to carry you through the holidays, this is indeed the book for you.
http://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com/...
When Ashley Capes contacted me concerning this book I was eager to accept the task, since I greatly enjoyed his City of Masks. I was warned beforehand that The Fairy Wren belonged to a different genre, so I was eager to see how a change of style and background would come across in his writing: it was different, indeed, to the point that I'm quite puzzled about how to classify this story (mainstream with a dash of fantasy is the closer I can come to it) - but despite this little obstacle, I liked the book quite a bit.
Paul Fischer is the owner of a struggling bookstore in the Australian city of Stony Bay: clients are few and far between and like other businesses along the street, Stony Bay Books is threatened by an incoming rent raise - a plot by the unpleasant and greedy lease-holder to evict the current shopkeepers in favor of more promising clients. This is not the only weight on Paul's shoulders: his wife Rachel left him a few months before for another man, and his repeated attempts to contact her and mend the rift have been met with a restraining order. Family and friends advise him to let go and concentrate on the shop and its survival, but Paul seems at first too dispirited to do anything about it, until something changes: he receives strange phone calls he's certain are from Rachel, who must be trying to contact him; a mysterious runaway child literally lands on his doorstep and the titular fairy wren appears in his garden, seemingly intent on conveying an urgent message to him.
This series of unrelated events effects an extraordinary change on Paul's listless attitude: he confronts the lease-holder head on, to the point of physically assaulting him, and he starts to take a more pro-active, or rather daring stance in his life. This does not mean that he emerges as a new, better man, though: he's still prone to blunders and there are instances where he defies both the law and common good sense in such a way that it's legitimate to wonder if he's not lost his mind or entered into a different dimension, one where little birds communicate with him, leading him on a quest that will have unforeseen results and will uncover strange happenings.
Paul Fischer's journey is a peculiar yet compelling one: clues add up in an intriguing way, and despite the down-to-earth quality of the events (let's not forget I'm a speculative fiction addict!!) I felt the need to know how the story worked out and how the characters would come through. Ashely Capes shows he's a convincing storyteller, no matter the genre he works with or the writing style he adopts: even in this "mundane" tale, he managed to keep my attention focused, which resulted in a quick and pleasant read.
One of the details I most appreciated was the fact that there is no definite "happily ever after", that some outcomes are left in a state of flux with no certainty about what the future will bring - and yet there is a clear change in the atmosphere, and in Paul's attitude toward life: a glimmer of hope has entered the equation, and altered the rules, showing how something small, indeed as small as a wren, can make a big difference.
If you're looking for a quick, uplifting tale to carry you through the holidays, this is indeed the book for you.
http://spaceandsorcery.wordpress.com/...
January 30, 2015
I love Goodreads' giveaway idea. As a reader and part-taker you get the chance to read something completely new and possibly something you would never have picked otherwise, just because you never knew it even existed. The benefits for authors are obviously a bit different, but equally beneficial.
My copy of The Fairy Wren was a giveaway win and I'm very grateful for it. I doubt I'd ever had found the book on my own, just because there are millions of books out there and not nearly enough time for all of them.
What I really liked about the book was the writing. Capes writes well and compellingly, making reading so easy that you forget time and space, which is always a very good sign. I realize this is a purely personal opinion, but all that Australianism! So cute! Thongs and footies and everything. I'm not sure I've read any Australian fiction before, not to mention in English, so some of the lingo was very obvious. And adorable.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. I liked the story building up, all the different little subplots hinting at a bigger story once all the thin threads were connected, I liked how Paul's character was slowly getting revealed. He was a bit of a selfish dick without much self control, but I liked the consistency and credibility of his character and therefore enjoyed reading about him and his life.
The second half of the book, however... I don't know. I think I felt like the book was going in one direction, being very realistic and down-to-earth, and then it just chose to take a completely different approach all of a sudden. And maybe even that wouldn't have been a problem if I hadn't felt like it became a totally different book with the change. Suddenly there were these wild twists and turns without believable explanations, and I suppose that just didn't fit with my idea of the first, very believable and carefully constructed half.
Again a purely personal opinion, but I didn't like the ending. I hope I'm not spoiling too much by saying that I have nothing against happy endings (teehee), but that there's also a difference between happy and sickeningly happy. I did like the Paul & Rachel angle though!
I had to really think about the rating because of the two unfitting halves in my personal reading experience. I decided it's worth a bit more than three stars, but not enough to round up to four. The weird end half you see. Still, a very enjoyable read, thanks Ashley!
My copy of The Fairy Wren was a giveaway win and I'm very grateful for it. I doubt I'd ever had found the book on my own, just because there are millions of books out there and not nearly enough time for all of them.
What I really liked about the book was the writing. Capes writes well and compellingly, making reading so easy that you forget time and space, which is always a very good sign. I realize this is a purely personal opinion, but all that Australianism! So cute! Thongs and footies and everything. I'm not sure I've read any Australian fiction before, not to mention in English, so some of the lingo was very obvious. And adorable.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. I liked the story building up, all the different little subplots hinting at a bigger story once all the thin threads were connected, I liked how Paul's character was slowly getting revealed. He was a bit of a selfish dick without much self control, but I liked the consistency and credibility of his character and therefore enjoyed reading about him and his life.
The second half of the book, however... I don't know. I think I felt like the book was going in one direction, being very realistic and down-to-earth, and then it just chose to take a completely different approach all of a sudden. And maybe even that wouldn't have been a problem if I hadn't felt like it became a totally different book with the change. Suddenly there were these wild twists and turns without believable explanations, and I suppose that just didn't fit with my idea of the first, very believable and carefully constructed half.
Again a purely personal opinion, but I didn't like the ending. I hope I'm not spoiling too much by saying that I have nothing against happy endings (teehee), but that there's also a difference between happy and sickeningly happy. I did like the Paul & Rachel angle though!
I had to really think about the rating because of the two unfitting halves in my personal reading experience. I decided it's worth a bit more than three stars, but not enough to round up to four. The weird end half you see. Still, a very enjoyable read, thanks Ashley!
October 16, 2015
This is a delightful tale of a bookstore owner and a magical little fairy wren that comes into his life. While I cringed at times at some of the idiotic decisions this young man makes almost on a daily basis, I had to like the guy and want everything to turn out for the best. He keeps getting into deeper and deeper hot water at every turn. The pages just flew along and I couldn't stop reading.
The story is imaginative and original. There's a scene in the book that I can't say too much about without giving away plot but it was such a beautiful and heart wrenching scene. The book is written in a very modern tone but has poetic touches that make it quite special.
I'll be looking into other works by this author, especially his ghost story as I believe he'd write a very good one!
I won this book in a BookLikes giveaway.
The story is imaginative and original. There's a scene in the book that I can't say too much about without giving away plot but it was such a beautiful and heart wrenching scene. The book is written in a very modern tone but has poetic touches that make it quite special.
I'll be looking into other works by this author, especially his ghost story as I believe he'd write a very good one!
I won this book in a BookLikes giveaway.
October 3, 2015
So how many bad decisions can one person possibly make? The protagonist of The Fairy Wren seems to be trying to top the list, but he remains likable throughout. I admit that I read this one just because of the title and the beautiful cover, but it turned out to be an interesting story, and very well-written. The ending, and the meaning of the magical little wren, didn't quite work for me, but overall, I liked the story. I would definitely pick up another book by this author.
March 13, 2017
Beautifully crafted, with an eye for the magical and the absurd in every day life. The author's poetic gifts give ordinary things (and people) special meaning, without descending into flowery treacle. The characters, central and supporting, are all vital and 3 dimensional. The fantasy elements weave into the story, enhancing rather than intruding, and are never explained away in order to kill the magic. An exceptional work that held me entranced to the end.
October 5, 2016
A wonderful and emotional journey. I couldn't put this book down. Relationships were convincing and complications were gripping, leaving the reader intrigued to discover the outcome. A lovely read and one can admire the confidence and flow of the storyteller.
August 17, 2015
I received this book for review from the author. I don’t accept many direct review requests, but I was intrigued by this blend of magical realism with contemporary drama romance.
The book’s protagonist is Paul Fischer, a struggling book shop owner, recently separated from his wife. When we meet Paul, nothing in his life is going right; he’s bitter, lonely and his short fuse keeps getting him into even more trouble.
Paul is on the brink of losing his business and facing a pending assault charge when he first spots a mysterious fairy wren. The “tiny blue bird with brilliant blue feathers” seems to be watching him; following him, and when it delivers his lost wedding ring back to him, Paul begins to wonder if there’s more to the bird than meets the eye. Soon after, his ex-wife Rachel goes missing, and Paul decides to follow the fairy wren on a weird and wonderful mission for answers.
Although I didn’t necessarily agree with all Paul’s decisions, I couldn’t help but root for him – he’s an extremely likeable and well-drawn character, coming across as a genuine guy who has just encountered a terrible run of bad luck. Capes provides the reader with an humorous peek into Paul’s uncensored thoughts – from his rants about caravans; “they were menaces, like giant steel snails painted white for visibility” to the tender self-deprecation suffering a hangover when your entire life seems to be going wrong. “Paul placed his empty coffee cup down, using gentle movements only, lest the sound of contact with the coaster split his skull open and empty the wriggling mess of underachieving thoughts onto the carpet.” I also loved the setting of a quiet coastal town in Australia; there’s a real sense of authenticity in the community spirit, and the way the local business owners come together to face the corporate bosses.
While I enjoyed the writing, the setting and the characters, some aspects of the plot were a little bit hit and miss for me. Balancing and blending themes of drama, romance and small-town relationships with fantasy and magic can be difficult to get right, and this novel did sometimes feel like it veered off in different directions at the drop of the hat. There’s an awful lot going on in Paul’s life to keep track of, and a surprising dark turn in the second half of the novel completely threw me. I struggled to understand the motive behind some of Paul’s decisions and I found that a few of the later elements didn’t really feel in keeping with the first part of the novel, and required a lot of suspension of disbelief.
But, if you’re able to suspend that disbelief and keep up with the multiple strands in this story, you will find a truly original and heartwarming premise at the heart of this book. Ashley Capes is clearly a talented writer and balances the tones of wit, warmth and drama beautifully. The Fairy Wren offers a compelling drama, magical fantasy and a story of personal growth all in one and, more importantly, it really is an original read, unlike anything I’ve read before.
Full review published on my blog The Book Brief
The book’s protagonist is Paul Fischer, a struggling book shop owner, recently separated from his wife. When we meet Paul, nothing in his life is going right; he’s bitter, lonely and his short fuse keeps getting him into even more trouble.
Paul is on the brink of losing his business and facing a pending assault charge when he first spots a mysterious fairy wren. The “tiny blue bird with brilliant blue feathers” seems to be watching him; following him, and when it delivers his lost wedding ring back to him, Paul begins to wonder if there’s more to the bird than meets the eye. Soon after, his ex-wife Rachel goes missing, and Paul decides to follow the fairy wren on a weird and wonderful mission for answers.
Although I didn’t necessarily agree with all Paul’s decisions, I couldn’t help but root for him – he’s an extremely likeable and well-drawn character, coming across as a genuine guy who has just encountered a terrible run of bad luck. Capes provides the reader with an humorous peek into Paul’s uncensored thoughts – from his rants about caravans; “they were menaces, like giant steel snails painted white for visibility” to the tender self-deprecation suffering a hangover when your entire life seems to be going wrong. “Paul placed his empty coffee cup down, using gentle movements only, lest the sound of contact with the coaster split his skull open and empty the wriggling mess of underachieving thoughts onto the carpet.” I also loved the setting of a quiet coastal town in Australia; there’s a real sense of authenticity in the community spirit, and the way the local business owners come together to face the corporate bosses.
While I enjoyed the writing, the setting and the characters, some aspects of the plot were a little bit hit and miss for me. Balancing and blending themes of drama, romance and small-town relationships with fantasy and magic can be difficult to get right, and this novel did sometimes feel like it veered off in different directions at the drop of the hat. There’s an awful lot going on in Paul’s life to keep track of, and a surprising dark turn in the second half of the novel completely threw me. I struggled to understand the motive behind some of Paul’s decisions and I found that a few of the later elements didn’t really feel in keeping with the first part of the novel, and required a lot of suspension of disbelief.
But, if you’re able to suspend that disbelief and keep up with the multiple strands in this story, you will find a truly original and heartwarming premise at the heart of this book. Ashley Capes is clearly a talented writer and balances the tones of wit, warmth and drama beautifully. The Fairy Wren offers a compelling drama, magical fantasy and a story of personal growth all in one and, more importantly, it really is an original read, unlike anything I’ve read before.
Full review published on my blog The Book Brief
January 3, 2015
Regular ole Paul Fischer is about to have a very difficult time of things. His life had went from optimistic to severely pessimistic in a very quick downward spiral. His bookstore, Stony Bay Books, is not doing well and he is getting a divorce on top of that. To make matters worse, he finds out his ex, Rachel, is going to be trying to get the house and half of the book store. Not that there was much to have if she got either. Paul doesn't really fight things and it just seems to get worse and worse when he starts getting in trouble with the law as well. Assault charges and more start mounting up. He starts seeing someone, but regrets pulling her into the mess he's in. Especially when it seems that his ex could be in some real trouble. No one can seem to get in touch with her and surprise! She's also pregnant with what could very well be Paul's baby. The only one who seems to know anything about what's going on is a tiny little blue bird that keeps showing up at Paul's house, pecking on his tree outside and acting like it wants Paul to follow him. A series of strange events unfold with the little blue Fairy Wren. The wren seems to have some magic to it and takes Paul on a somewhat frightening journey to find Rachel.
This book wasn't exactly what I expected. From the title I was kind of expecting something more along the lines of fantasy or paranormal but it was more along the lines of strange and weird events. Not to mention, I just downright feel bad for Paul in some ways because everything possible seems to be going wrong. He is giving his lawyer lots of business. All in all, he feels that he must find Rachel and get her out of whatever trouble she's involved in. The book is filled with suspense and a slight tinge of the paranormal world through the Fairy Wren that keeps hanging out. When I found out towards the end of the story what that bird had been doing pecking around in Paul's tree, it was a serious OMG moment! All in all it was a good read!
A solid 4 out of 5 stars!!
This book wasn't exactly what I expected. From the title I was kind of expecting something more along the lines of fantasy or paranormal but it was more along the lines of strange and weird events. Not to mention, I just downright feel bad for Paul in some ways because everything possible seems to be going wrong. He is giving his lawyer lots of business. All in all, he feels that he must find Rachel and get her out of whatever trouble she's involved in. The book is filled with suspense and a slight tinge of the paranormal world through the Fairy Wren that keeps hanging out. When I found out towards the end of the story what that bird had been doing pecking around in Paul's tree, it was a serious OMG moment! All in all it was a good read!
A solid 4 out of 5 stars!!
May 15, 2016
Paul Fisher is having a bit of a pants time, his wife left him and has just taken an injunction out to stop him contacting her, his bookshop is struggling to stay afloat and now greedy developers are threatening to put him completely out of business by raising the rents.
Then a fairy wren drops his lost wedding ring at his feet, and Paul discovers that there’s more magic in the world than he thought or he’s going completley mad.
Things don’t seem to improve for him though, punching the mayor seals his bookshop’s fate and although he’s met someone new, his wife has reappeared and she seems to be in some kind of trouble. His friends try to help but some of their suggestions are decidely dodgy and the blue fairy wrens clues are more confusing than clarifying.
Books about people that own book shops are always going to entice me – it’s pretty basic, I want to read about my dream life! Throw in a hint of magic and I’m definitely there. But although on the surface this seems like a light dreamy read it is quite a lot more grown up than that!
There is an ambiguity about whether the wren is real or the product of a deluded mind. After all, it’s very convenient how it’s implying he needs to help his ex-wife, a woman he’s still clearly in love with and wants back. But then this protagonist isn’t self-absorbed, he has friends that have stuck by him and he’s doing what he can to help his fellow shop-keepers. Also there’s a new woman on the scene and she doesn’t seem like the type to hang around people that are obsessed with their ex and hallucinating. So maybe the wren is real? Maybe magic is real but doesn’t appear in ways we think it will.
I really enjoyed this book, it wasn’t what I was expecting at all, it was much cleverer and warmer and more realistic than I thought it would be. Which made it all the more magical.
NB I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest review. The BookEaters always write honest reviews http://www.thebookeaters.co.uk/the-fa...
Then a fairy wren drops his lost wedding ring at his feet, and Paul discovers that there’s more magic in the world than he thought or he’s going completley mad.
Things don’t seem to improve for him though, punching the mayor seals his bookshop’s fate and although he’s met someone new, his wife has reappeared and she seems to be in some kind of trouble. His friends try to help but some of their suggestions are decidely dodgy and the blue fairy wrens clues are more confusing than clarifying.
Books about people that own book shops are always going to entice me – it’s pretty basic, I want to read about my dream life! Throw in a hint of magic and I’m definitely there. But although on the surface this seems like a light dreamy read it is quite a lot more grown up than that!
There is an ambiguity about whether the wren is real or the product of a deluded mind. After all, it’s very convenient how it’s implying he needs to help his ex-wife, a woman he’s still clearly in love with and wants back. But then this protagonist isn’t self-absorbed, he has friends that have stuck by him and he’s doing what he can to help his fellow shop-keepers. Also there’s a new woman on the scene and she doesn’t seem like the type to hang around people that are obsessed with their ex and hallucinating. So maybe the wren is real? Maybe magic is real but doesn’t appear in ways we think it will.
I really enjoyed this book, it wasn’t what I was expecting at all, it was much cleverer and warmer and more realistic than I thought it would be. Which made it all the more magical.
NB I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest review. The BookEaters always write honest reviews http://www.thebookeaters.co.uk/the-fa...
March 11, 2016
Find full review here: https://caffeineandbooks42.wordpress....
Don’t be led on by the synopsis of this book. You may think it is a true urban fantasy, filled with strange beings and lots of magic, but that really isn’t the case with this book. It’s more like a drama, as there is lost love, financial struggles, affairs, murders, kidnapping, and so many other things. The only magical aspects of the books are the bird that keeps leading Paul to strange places, a runaway girl who keeps turning up in his neighbourhood, and the frankly ridiculously conclusion. This disappointed me slightly as I really believed there would be more fantasy within this book, but really it follows a man who doesn’t deal with stress well into unbelievably stressful situations.
However I did like the character of Paul Fischer. He was incredibly real and definitely had faults. While he does have anger management issues, he is a good guy, and he dealt with all his struggles like a real person. He wasn’t all calm and collected, going ‘OK, this is what I am going to do next’. He was more like ‘Oh f**k, what the hell am going to do?! I’m completely screwed!’. This attitude, paired with the fact that he just could not catch a break, meant that this book was pretty much him flailing about as he tried to fix one problem after another, while dealing with the weird bird that kept following him around. The only problem I have with his character that he wasn’t enough of a bookworm for me.
Overall this wasn’t a bad read, but there were certainly points in this book that let me down. If you like a contemporary book with a little fantasy, a lot of drama, and a romance that actually is agreeable, I would suggest reading this book. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it more than I did.
Don’t be led on by the synopsis of this book. You may think it is a true urban fantasy, filled with strange beings and lots of magic, but that really isn’t the case with this book. It’s more like a drama, as there is lost love, financial struggles, affairs, murders, kidnapping, and so many other things. The only magical aspects of the books are the bird that keeps leading Paul to strange places, a runaway girl who keeps turning up in his neighbourhood, and the frankly ridiculously conclusion. This disappointed me slightly as I really believed there would be more fantasy within this book, but really it follows a man who doesn’t deal with stress well into unbelievably stressful situations.
However I did like the character of Paul Fischer. He was incredibly real and definitely had faults. While he does have anger management issues, he is a good guy, and he dealt with all his struggles like a real person. He wasn’t all calm and collected, going ‘OK, this is what I am going to do next’. He was more like ‘Oh f**k, what the hell am going to do?! I’m completely screwed!’. This attitude, paired with the fact that he just could not catch a break, meant that this book was pretty much him flailing about as he tried to fix one problem after another, while dealing with the weird bird that kept following him around. The only problem I have with his character that he wasn’t enough of a bookworm for me.
Overall this wasn’t a bad read, but there were certainly points in this book that let me down. If you like a contemporary book with a little fantasy, a lot of drama, and a romance that actually is agreeable, I would suggest reading this book. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it more than I did.
March 22, 2015
Paul Fischer is an emotionally distant bookseller who finds himself beaten down by his failing business, which transforms life in the Australian coastal town of Stony Bay into a daily struggle. When he receives a strange phone call asking for help, from a woman who may or may not be his estranged wife Rachel, he is drawn into a mysterious search that threatens not only his livelihood, but long-buried dreams too.
This is a well written book with some suspense, mystery and some fantasy. The novel has contains wonderful description of small town life and relationships that not only exist in the town (Stony Bay) but could be in any town. The story is thought provoking. Many times I read a book and just continue on to the next one. This book gives a reader things to think about while reading it and after. All I can write is that it is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.
November 16, 2015
I read Fairy Wren during the course of an extremely long plane ride — and I literally had to force myself to put it down to take bathroom breaks, because I didn't want to stop reading! Ashley seamlessly weaves together the magical and the mundane, creating a rich world where miracles are possible.
I do think that my seatmate thought I was half-insane when I laughed out loud at particularly hilarious parts, or when I gasped and cried, “NO WAY!” when unimaginable plot twists occurred. Thank you, Ashley, for plucking me out of my torturous plane ride and planting me firmly in your delightful page-turner. I can't wait to recommend this book to all of my friends! It isn't often that I come across a book where I genuinely care about what happens to the characters, and where I am actually biting my fingernails in to find out what happens next!
I do think that my seatmate thought I was half-insane when I laughed out loud at particularly hilarious parts, or when I gasped and cried, “NO WAY!” when unimaginable plot twists occurred. Thank you, Ashley, for plucking me out of my torturous plane ride and planting me firmly in your delightful page-turner. I can't wait to recommend this book to all of my friends! It isn't often that I come across a book where I genuinely care about what happens to the characters, and where I am actually biting my fingernails in to find out what happens next!
September 7, 2015
Fairy Wren was a book I longed to love but I could not get past the main character's self pity. It was not that his wife was divorcing him or that he was losing his business but that he seemed to feel it was all due him. Perhaps that is the way one should feel but it lacked humility and grace. He may have grown up but how grown up can one be if one can be talked into driving a nice car off a cliff for the insurance money. His immaturity was just phenomenal. there was no closure nor compassion to the sequence about the fellow in the wheelchair.
In the end he has a girl and a job and goes back to spending money and going to parties. He does show appreciation for his family and friends. I just wanted to like the book but I could not find a reason to like it.
In the end he has a girl and a job and goes back to spending money and going to parties. He does show appreciation for his family and friends. I just wanted to like the book but I could not find a reason to like it.
December 29, 2014
A lovely book. One I became fully immersed in. A story touched by gentle, lyrical magic-realism (I think is the term). Set in a coastal Australian town, the author captures the small-town feeling whist exploring universal themes. One particularly nice touch is how the story is filed with the love of books – the main character being a bookseller. But, mainly, it is a story about relationships – family, friends, strangers, old family friends, parents and children, lovers, people who care for other people, and all of them will resonate – and about finding oneself. Highly recommended.
May 20, 2015
*I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.* The "Fairy Wren" by Ashley Capes was a quick read and although I enjoyed it, I did get a little confused at times about the direction the book was supposed to be going. It did end happily for the main character, Paul.
I thought the cover artwork was the most beautiful I have ever seen on a book. It is truly mesmerizing. Thank you for this delight!
I thought the cover artwork was the most beautiful I have ever seen on a book. It is truly mesmerizing. Thank you for this delight!
June 3, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Paul Fischer's world is turning out badly very quickly. Losing his bookstore, signing divorce papers, helping a friend pull an insurance scam, a runaway Italian girl..it is all going downhill. The appearance of a fairy wren in his life seems to point to wrongdoing towards his ex-wife too. Fantasy combined with reality makes this an eminently readable book. Recommended.
Paul Fischer's world is turning out badly very quickly. Losing his bookstore, signing divorce papers, helping a friend pull an insurance scam, a runaway Italian girl..it is all going downhill. The appearance of a fairy wren in his life seems to point to wrongdoing towards his ex-wife too. Fantasy combined with reality makes this an eminently readable book. Recommended.
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