Migrations, Charlotte McConaghy author; Barrie Kreinik, narrator
This is alternately heartbreaking and uplifting, but which one is the more overpowering will be in the eyes of each reader. I found the book to be enlightening when considering the information on bird migration, coupled with the information on the extinction of certain species that was taking place at the same time. This novel takes place at a time, in the not too distant future, when fish and birds are disappearing at a disastrous rate of speed. Humans have abused the environment, and they will pay the price. They have overfished, overhunted, littered the landscape, befouled the oceans and ignored their behavioral effects on the environment. The strong have overpowered the weak and taken advantage of nature’s bounty, destroying its natural order.
Franny Lynch (Stone) wants to follow the last migration of the tern. Why she wants to do this is revealed, very slowly as the book proceeds, with bits and pieces of her memory from her past and her present. She has many issues to deal with as do many of the characters that fill the pages of this novel. It is not about perfect people or happy endings. It is about the harsh reality of life, about people who often react without thinking, causing chaos. Sometimes, the time line gets a little confusing, but the idea the story wants to impart, remains clear. We will reap, what we have sown. Can we improve? Can we reverse our destruction? Are we destroying our world with abandon, with our blind eyes, deaf ears and silent lips?
Franny and Niles Lynch are an unusual couple. Both love the natural world. Both are capable of different kinds of spontaneity. As the creatures of nature become extinct, they become increasingly disturbed. Franny loves the sea. She doesn’t like caging animals or birds or anything, including herself. Niles wants to preserve the natural order of things. Franny can be a wanderer, not tethered to any one place for that long, if she can help it. She leaves those she loves, she leaves sanctuaries to search for one thing, freedom. She wants all to have the same freedom. She does not believe in cages. She does not appreciate the kindness or teachings of others until years pass and she has time to reflect on her past. She often rushed to judgment, but was generally motivated by kindness and compassion, even when she was destructive.
Protecting all species is of utmost importance if humanity is to continue; they all act in concert to keep us alive and thriving. We are all valuable, regardless of our differences. Reading about the lives of the characters in this novel, of different species, and of the lives of other ordinary people that are trying to succeed even in the face of hardscrabble conditions, will lead the reader down a road to a future that could be dismal, but one that could also carry with it the hope of redemption. Although Franny sleepwalks, causing unknown destruction, or in some cases saving some from captivity, we, too, are all guilty of sleepwalking through our own lives, relying on chance to save us, refusing to face the reality of how our behavior is impacting the planet, the natural predators and the food chain that exists in nature to support life and balance our ecosystems. We must work together to succeed.
The book raises many questions that are left unanswered. Are the sins of the father truly visited upon the child? Are our sins sometimes unintentional? Are we able to forgive? When is an accident simply that, an accident? Was there really a crime of murder? When is self defense appropriate? When is it okay to break a rule? When will women have the right to defend themselves against predatory men? The natural world and the human world contain many paradoxes that are similar and impact our judgment. Is it possible to adapt to changes in the natural world and thus survive? Will we learn to protect our environment because the long term effects of neglect could end life? Will we learn to accept all, regardless of individual differences, or will we simply continue to take what we want, and let sleeping dogs lie? If so, what will our future be like?

After reading MIGRATIONS, I understand why it has received so many good reviews. But, although it has a promising beginning, the bulk of the book is slow and depressing. It also seemed choppy to me until I got used to it’s going to and from various periods of time.

All is bleak, with nearly every animal species extinct and those not extinct close to being so. This is the world when Franny takes it upon herself to follow Arctic terns as they migrate from the Arctic Circle all the way to the Antarctic.

During her journey, we learn more and more about Franny through many flashbacks. They give the impression that she is a selfish person. But keep reading. As her secrets are divulged, your impression may change. And the secrets also make for a great ending.

As a matter of fact, I think those last couple chapters are the reason for all the good reviews and high ratings, although it is true that Charlotte McConaghy’s writing is beautiful throughout the book. Plus, her descriptions of the Arctic and the Antarctic made me cold.

But the story never addressed to my satisfaction how nearly all animal species could be extinct while human beings are just fine. All species depend on other species for their lives, including the human species.

The book is good but could be confusing. It got better as it went on, but we felt it also lacked character development. The main character wasn't very likable and there is little development of the other characters. You have to suspend belief for a lot of things to accept the world created for the book.