BKMT READING GUIDES

The Bird House: A Novel
by Kelly Simmons

Published: 2011-02-01
Paperback : 272 pages
4 members reading this now
1 club reading this now
1 member has read this book
From the critically acclaimed author of Standing Still comes a psychologically charged novel about the power and failure of ...
No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

From the critically acclaimed author of Standing Still comes a psychologically charged novel about the power and failure of family.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter 1
October 22, 2010
Beneath the surface of any problem, if you scrabble a bit, you'll find a secret.
It may take a while—decades perhaps—not for your excavation, mind you, but for your desire to appear; for that childlike curiosity to float up again. Indeed, you may need an actual child to summon it, as I did. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Ann reveals within the first chapter that her memory is failing. How did this confession affect your reading? Was Ann an unreliable narrator? Explain your answer.

2. Bird houses are a recurring theme throughout the novel—besides the title itself, Ellie chooses bird houses for her "Aspect" school project. Do you think the bird houses hold some sort of symbolism? Why or why not?

3. Throughout the novel, we get bits and pieces of what Ann's husband, Theo, was like. Do you think Ann is fair with his depiction? If the novel had been narrated by Theo, how do you think he would have described himself? How would his perspective differ from Ann's?

4. In the beginning, Ann describes her daughter-in-law, Tinsley, as almost perfect. She even attributes her granddaughter's wonderful demeanor to Tinsley. When do you see Ann's opinion begin to change? Why do you think it changes so drastically? Do you think they will ever completely resolve their differences?

5. Ann thinks the world of Tom and Ellie. In her mind, they can do no wrong. Do you feel the same? Or do you think she is fiercely loyal to them because they are her flesh and blood?

6. Adultery recurs throughout the novel and is also a shared commonality between Ann, her mother, and Tinsley. How do you think this bonds the women together? Does this shared connection help them relate to one another? Or could it also have an opposite effect on their relationships?

7. Ann, her mother, and Tinsley all have completely different personalities and lead completely different lives. What do you think lead each woman to cheat on her partner?

8. There were multiple instances throughout the novel where Ann's daughter, Emma, acts in an odd, and even malicious, manner. Do you think this is a result or an effect of the anger and resentment she feels for losing her daughter at such a young age?

9. Do you blame Ann for her daughter's death? Do you think Ann blames herself? Why do you think she kept this a secret for such a long time?

10. When Ann confronts Tinsley about her affair, she claims to have the best intentions. Do you agree with how Ann handled this discussion? If you were in Ann's position, what would you have done?

11. Ann never gave her father the chance to give his side of the story, and after his death she discovers he was not her biological father. Do you think she should have given him the chance to explain himself? And do you think this was what he was trying to tell her?

12. Ann reveals a great deal about her past, and even present, to Ellie. Do you think this relationship was inappropriate? Why or why not?

13. On page 272, Ann says to Ellie: "'If you ever have to choose between a man who's serious and a man who's fun, choose the fun one. Promise me.'" Do you agree with Ann? Who do you think was the "fun one" and who was the serious one? Theo or Peter?

14. Did you like that the novel was told from only Ann's perspective? Or would you have a more objective, third person narrator?

From the publisher

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Note from author Kelly Simmons:

If you can read my second book, THE BIRD HOUSE, thank a teacher. Seriously. Thank two of them. The one who taught you to read, and the one who sent home this assignment to my daughter in fifth grade: “Interview your grandparents about the family’s past. Identify an aspect in the family history –a sport, hobby or theme—for a series of projects called Generations.”

I immediately thought, hmmmm. With the right kid and the wrong grandparent, this assignment could go totally astray. Some family secrets. A grandparent who is a little unstable. A grandchild who is super-curious. Combustible, I thought.

What if all those secrets, filtered through a grandmother who may or may not have dementia, threatened the family’s future? What if the little girl had a secret about her mother too? Pit mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, with the grandchild in the center, and you have the core idea for THE BIRD HOUSE.

THE BIRD HOUSE, in paperback. Kirkus starred review. Visit Kelly’s website at www.bykellysimmons.com or ask her a question in the Ask The Author section at www.simonandschuster.com

Book Club Recommendations

Paint a bird house night
by CHAZRA_TMF (see profile) 03/12/12
For food set out trail mix, bread snacks. For activity purchase un-painted bird houses and paint from a craft store. Have members paint their own bird house as they eat and chat about the book.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Well written"by TYSHEENA F. (see profile) 03/12/12

Not one wasted word. Very intriguing!
We invited the author for dinner and she was such a cool person to be around.

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...