I loved this book, and so has anyone else who's read it upon my recommendation. Funny, interesting, suspenseful (who will win?), so much more than a mere description of the plot can convey. You don't have to be a bird lover to enjoy this book, just open to a great, fun read. Non-fiction.

Knowing the outcome of the author's too-short life and her inability to finish her opus, our club was deeply affected by this novel. I loved her depiction of the French reaction to German occupation (which rang true to me), and the fact that this first part of her vision dealt with the human aspects of the war, not the politics. As was mentioned here by others, the inclusion of the appendices illuminated and enhanced the dramatic effect of the novel to no end. We felt that this was an important work, which presented the French experience through the eyes of a foreignor, making it more realistic.

The story of a mute boy, his special breed of dogs, and the troubles that befall his family. You will be drawn in immediately by the plot, and although the length of the book may be more than some book clubs will want to tackle (over 500 pages), it is so well written and plotted that I will recommend it to my group immediately.