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Fly Birdie Kindle Edition

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

Hannah's life has given her no reason to be anything but bitter and afraid. She tries to hold on to her sanity as her life spirals further into superstition and dread, until a small averted tragedy leads to the melting of her heart, and teaches her how to love.

A Short Story.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009GDHVUE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Weaverback Press (September 24, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 24, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 274 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 28 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

About the author

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Jo Robinson
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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
38 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story charming and moving. They praise the writing style as well-crafted, with a compelling narrative and thoughtful character development. The story infuses readers with empathy and pride for the heroine's growth and transformation.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

8 customers mention "Story quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it charming, moving, and sweet.

"What a sweet, sweet story! I had to wonder just how autobiographical it was, after seeing the photos at the end...." Read more

"...If you stick with it, the real story emerges and provides an entertaining and engaging experience...." Read more

"...joy all mixed together in a wonderful recipe to turn out this charming short story...." Read more

"This story was so moving that it brought tears to my eyes. It's quite different from what I usually read and I truly had no idea of what to expect...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing style"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and well-crafted. They describe the story as gripping, compelling, and well-presented. The book is described as an excellent read that is sweet and charming.

"What a sweet, sweet story! I had to wonder just how autobiographical it was, after seeing the photos at the end...." Read more

"...The characters are thoughtfully developed and well presented." Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and smooth flow that Jo manages to convey in her writing." Read more

"...shrieks nervousness, timidity etc - the whole thing is really, really well done. I'd be proud to have written it myself." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed and presented. They are particularly impressed with the characterisation of Hannah, describing her as nervous even by name.

"...The characters are thoughtfully developed and well presented." Read more

"...I was struck with the characterisation of Hannah - even the name Hannah shrieks nervousness, timidity etc - the whole thing is really, really well..." Read more

"...story is gripping and wonderfully written, with mystery and compelling characters." Read more

3 customers mention "Heartwarming"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and well-written. They say it infuses the reader with sympathy and pride for the woman's growth into a strong and loving person.

"...I really enjoyed this excellent read. It was well-written, heart-warming, and I ended up reading it in one go...." Read more

"...This is a great short fiction work and infuses the reader with sympathy and pride for how the protagonist grows...." Read more

"...From a sad, frightened woman she grew strong and loving. The care she lavished on the bird was sweet and wonderful. A great read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2015
    What a sweet, sweet story! I had to wonder just how autobiographical it was, after seeing the photos at the end. Although I doubt Jo has all that much in common with Hannah - the wrecked woman who is terrified of a tree and finds salvation in the most unusual of places.

    I really enjoyed this excellent read. It was well-written, heart-warming, and I ended up reading it in one go. Jo has a knack for taking us into her characters' mind with as few words as possible, and a clear talent for writing.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2014
    Everyone loves how kind she was to the bird, but what about the tree? When she learned the tree had feelings and went out of its way not to harm her, she let it be chopped down anyway. She showed no compassion whatsoever for the stately tree. That was not something a nice person would do. For shame…...
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2013
    The plot was a little disconcerting in the beginning. If you stick with it, the real story emerges and provides an entertaining and engaging experience. The characters are thoughtfully developed and well presented.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2013
    This fits the expression 'short and sweet' perfectly. Fear, heartbreak, struggles, pain, healing, happiness and joy all mixed together in a wonderful recipe to turn out this charming short story. Following the healing process of a hurt women who is finding it hard to let go of the pain of her past, this story tells of how something as small and seemingly troublesome as a wounded bird can bring a new chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and smooth flow that Jo manages to convey in her writing.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2013
    Grade school quality SHORT story. Not enjoyable at all. I was disgusted by the actions of the "heroine" of the story.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2013
    This story was so moving that it brought tears to my eyes. It's quite different from what I usually read and I truly had no idea of what to expect. All I can say is that I really enjoyed reading it.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2013
    Wow! I'm not even sure how to classify this story, but then I think the current mania for putting everything into boxes is a bit silly anyway. Be that as it may, this story carries such a punch on so many levels! There's the animal story, always a winner of course. There's the overcoming of irrational fear. There's the worm turning. Normally there wouldn't be room for so many themes in one short story but somehow Robinson has achieved a kind of braid that allows them all the space they need. I was struck with the characterisation of Hannah - even the name Hannah shrieks nervousness, timidity etc - the whole thing is really, really well done. I'd be proud to have written it myself.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2014
    An excellent short story. Don't be fooled by the page count. The story of Hannah and her troubles quickly get into you heart. It starts quick as you delve into her tortuous relationship that is ending. The reader gets to accompany her through a terrible storm and experience her fears. This story is gripping and wonderfully written, with mystery and compelling characters.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars It Never Rains, it Pours
    Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2015
    Living with an abusive husband, Hannah is a nervous wreck. Everything around her is upsetting, stressful and nerve-wracking. She’s especially afraid the huge tree beside their house will one day fall on her.

    Her husband leaves in a huff, still belittling her. Alone and terrified, a huge storm scares her out of her wits as she listens to the cracking and splintering of the tree.

    A stranger shows up the next morning to take care of the half-uprooted tree. Hannah finds a tiny bird on the ground—a Weaver—presuming it fell out of the tree. She hasn’t the patience to look after it, but picks it up and leaves it on a cushion to die. Hours later she finds it’s still alive and nurses the Weaver back to health. The bird gives her great pleasure and she falls in love with it, a feeling she’s never experienced.

    Through researching how to set the bird free into the wild again, she meets Jason, an ornithologist, who helps her.

    This is a heartwarming and charming story.
  • Lucy Pireel
    5.0 out of 5 stars A tear and a smile. Very well crafted short story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2013
    Fly Birdy by Jo Robinson
    Reviewed by Lucy Pireel

    This was a short but utterly satisfying read which had me teared up a few times. It is a story about self-awareness, love and the freedom to choose.
    It is always difficult to write a review for such shorts, for I would hate to give away details. Wouldn't want to spoil your reading pleasure.
    With its mere 14 pages on my Opus One it was a fast read, but well told. This author has the ability to make you feel the hurt her main character goes through and the joy she must feel in the end.
    Well done Jo Robinson, I am looking forward to reading more of your hand.
  • Mys M
    4.0 out of 5 stars Healing for Hannah
    Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2015
    Fly Birdie is a delightful short story about survival. Hannah is a bundle of nerves. She's been living with an abusive, narcissistic husband who has finally "left in a cloud of dust" and sends spies in the guise of friends to find out if she has completely fallen apart as a result. Hannah, however, has survived her worst fears — a storm that partially fells the tree that has been her nemesis.
    Also damaged by the storm is a small weaver. As Hannah takes it in, and cares for it, she is taken out of herself and begins to heal herself.
    This is a poignant tale carefully detailing the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to be restored. It is beautifully told and full of hope. Another wonderful read from South African author, Jo Robinson.
  • Michelle cooper
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Little Story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2013
    I enjoyed the authors style of writing very much,the story flowed really well.and super little short story,whilst enjoying a coffee.Will be taking a look at Jo's other books.
  • FeedMyReads
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic piece of sweet writing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2013
    When all is spiraling out of control and you begin to wonder what life is all about sometimes it is the smallest of things that bring you back to having hope and reasons for going on and so it is in this short story. Hannah has a life which is pointless and spiraling down lower and lower but the smallest of things changes that and teaches her how to love again.

    This is a great short story that can help to inspire people to see the smaller things in life.

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