Bonnie G.’s Reviews > The Wayfinder > Status Update
Bonnie G.
is on page 641 of 736
That feeling that you don't want a book to end . . . not getting that at all. Reader error. This book is fully steeped in fantasy and folklore which is not my thing -- I expected more historical fiction. Objectively though, that parrot is the worst.
— Feb 03, 2026 07:38AM
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Bonnie G.’s Previous Updates
Bonnie G.
is on page 700 of 736
Finally nearing the end, and the drama just really ratcheted up!
— Feb 05, 2026 07:01AM
Bonnie G.
is on page 450 of 736
In this part of the book, that godawful parrot is mostly absent. Sadly, not entirely absent -- the parrot has to reflect philosophically on his loneliness for a while -- but he is blessedly less in evidence than in the first 200 or so pages. There have been exciting battles, women raped, men ripped apart by animals, an amputation or two, and the ingestion of rotting intestines, so I am not bored.
— Jan 29, 2026 05:42PM
Bonnie G.
is on page 265 of 736
This has gotten much more engrossing. Still hate the parrot. So much. Hoping he is dinner soon.
— Jan 27, 2026 03:29PM
Bonnie G.
is on page 187 of 736
This portion of the book has been much more engrossing for me. If it were not for the damn poetry-spouting parrot, I think I would have been able to truly lose myself in the beauty of the language and the drama of the violent imperialism.
— Jan 26, 2026 11:07AM
Bonnie G.
is on page 157 of 736
I have seen comparisons made between this and all sorts of books, which, while all are sprawling, seemingly have little to do with one another. I am going to add one -- this reminds me of The Fellowship of the Ring, but more feminist, more climate focused, and in a landscape (or really seascape) quite different from Middle-earth.
— Jan 25, 2026 12:07PM
Bonnie G.
is on page 78 of 736
So far I am admiring the book more than I am enjoying the book, but that is a me problem. I am not always big on epics, especially those with sprinklings of magical realism. The Odyssey bored the life out of me. And while I loathe the wise parrot (who reminds me of Iago in the Aladdin movie, whom I also found enervating), most of Johnson's choices are really smart. I do appreciate the craft.
— Jan 24, 2026 11:23AM
Bonnie G.
is on page 31 of 736
This reminds me a lot of fantasy in its approach. So much world-building. Incredibly well done world-building, but just a lot of it. It is very early in the book, so we will see, but I generally lean toward more interior stories, and almost never read fantasy. If I don't end up enjoying this, the fault will be with me, because already the craft is shining like the sun.
— Jan 23, 2026 06:46AM
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Left Coast Justin
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Feb 03, 2026 08:20AM
Please tell me the parrot doesn't speak in prophecies.
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I really enjoyed the parrot, but it's also fun to watch how he drives you crazy - kraaahh kraaah! :-)
Left Coast Justin wrote: "Please tell me the parrot doesn't speak in prophecies."I could tell you that, but I would be lying. I will say that is not all it speaks of. It talks A LOT.
Meike wrote: "I really enjoyed the parrot, but it's also fun to watch how he drives you crazy - kraaahh kraaah! :-)"OMG, Meike, my whole body seizes, braces as if for a blow, when I turn a page and I see its name in my peripheral vision. I did not expect this author to go full-on Disney in making choices about adapting folklore. As the conversation drifts to him being the last of his breed, I keep thinking he is evidence of survival of the least irritating.
Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "I really enjoyed the parrot, but it's also fun to watch how he drives you crazy - kraaahh kraaah! :-)"OMG, Meike, my whole body seizes, braces as if for a blow, when I turn a page a..."
Hahahaha, the survival of the least irritating is clearly not a thing, as reality around as well as the news teach us (yes, I'm living in my full Aquarius energy tonight! :-))! I'm not a Disney person and would never be caught in a theme park to save my life, but I liked the magical realism in the novel, because it smartly comments on human relationships and belonging. So hooray for the parrot! :-)
Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "I really enjoyed the parrot, but it's also fun to watch how he drives you crazy - kraaahh kraaah! :-)"OMG, Meike, my whole body seizes, braces as if for a blow, wh..."
No particular defense of Disney from me, I like some of the movies a lot but I hate the theme parks. (Though when my son was small we had some fun visits.) A specific defenese seems in order though: Plenty of the magical realism in Disney does smartly comment on human relationships and belonging. I mean, that does not apply to the majority of films/scenes, but I can think of a number of examples. This book really does feel like a more literary version of Moana in parts.
Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "I really enjoyed the parrot, but it's also fun to watch how he drives you crazy - kraaahh kraaah! :-)"OMG, Meike, my whole body seizes, braces as if ..."
Haha, now we got to the heart of the issue: You might be right re: Disney, I still don't like it though. And I might be right re: the parrot, you still don't like it though. It's called taste, and I think it's extremely valid! :-)
Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "I really enjoyed the parrot, but it's also fun to watch how he drives you crazy - kraaahh kraaah! :-)"OMG, Meike, my whole body sei..."
Agreed!
