Hush, Little Bird in Aussie Readers

Apr 15, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, own-read, 2015-release, aussie-authors, contemporary-fiction, suspense, sent-by-publisher

Felicity was called Fliss when she was young – but she hated the sound of it. Like a constant hiss; but in the other place she was called nasty names – ‘retard’ and ‘idiot’. When it was decided between Lucy the lawyer and the judge that Felicity didn’t belong in a conventional prison, she was sent to the Farm. At the Farm she was called Birdy (because she cared for the finches); she wouldn’t answer to anything else then. Also at the Farm, the women who had children were able to have them visit f Felicity was called Fliss when she was young – but she hated the sound of it. Like a constant hiss; but in the other place she was called nasty names – ‘retard’ and ‘idiot’. When it was decided between Lucy the lawyer and the judge that Felicity didn’t belong in a conventional prison, she was sent to the Farm. At the Farm she was called Birdy (because she cared for the finches); she wouldn’t answer to anything else then. Also at the Farm, the women who had children were able to have them visit for the weekend once a month; they would stay in the family unit. So Birdy saw Isabel once a month and was very happy, as she thought she would have to wait until she left the Farm to see her. Her sister Lila looked after Isabel – she didn’t want her Mum to have her anymore…

Rose Winslow was about to arrive at the Farm – she had been convicted, much to the shock of her family and their lawyer and although Eric was trying for a retrial, they knew it would take time and that Rose would have to spend some time at the Farm. Everyone said she was lucky to be going there; it was as if her money and privilege had “paved the way”. She had had the support of her daughters Portia and Rosalind, though Rosalind and her husband and children were having a hard time with what had happened.

Birdy had an agenda; but she couldn’t tell anyone what it was. She had to forgive everyone – her counsellor insisted she forgive so she would be able to leave the Farm in a short time. But Birdy had anger inside which she couldn’t let go – her agenda was what would make her feel better. She just had to plan it; make sure it would work – she needed to have her revenge.

As Birdy and Rose lived their days at the Farm – Birdy caring for the finches in the garden aviary; Rose working in the vegetable garden – tensions were rising. Birdy spent her time trying to hide her anger, while Rose reminisced constantly about the past…

Aussie author Nicole Trope has an absolute winner in Hush, Little Bird in my opinion. I absolutely loved it – gripping and intense, but written with sensitivity and compassion, the manner it is written is superb. Alternate chapters in both Birdy’s and Rose’s voices, it tells of their pasts and combines the present. Sad, traumatic but filled with hope, Hush, Little Bird is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
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Apr 20, 2015 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-are, provided-by-publisher, aussie-author

Nicole Trope's fourth novel, Hush, Little Bird is a thought provoking and heartbreaking story.

Hush, Little Bird is told from the alternative first person perspectives of two very different women, both serving sentences in a minimum security prison, linked by the actions of one man, Simon, a former television celebrity, Birdy's childhood abuser and Rose's late husband.

It is a harrowing tale that details the suffering of a young, vulnerable girl at the hands of her abuser and the lasting consequen ...more

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