Place of Many Birds is a collection of six short stories that depict the beauty and harshness of the Australian outback. The stories are rich, evocative, and deeply moving, with themes of memories, family, and death. Jan Merry's prose is hauntingly elegant, setting the scene without unnecessary wording. The characters and settings are diverse, and the stories pack a powerful punch, leaving the reader reeling.
Place of Many Birds is a collection of six short stories by Australian author Jan Merry. The stories are set in diverse periods and locations, from remote towns to country roads, suburban streets, and cities. Each story is rich in atmosphere and mood, with Merry's talent for conveying the essence of each setting. The Breakaway tells a tragic tale of a youthful hunting trip, while Before Winter Comes recounts a sweet gift from a caring neighbor. Change of Scenery follows a son's return to his parents' country home, and Killing Time describes an old man's whimsical bike ride. Spirit of Activity narrates an encounter between a cyclist and an artist, and the title story, Place of Many Birds, details a life-changing train journey. Merry's prose is truly lovely, with vivid descriptions that immerse the reader in the Australian outback. The stories are deeply moving and can be read over and over, revealing more layers with each reading. The characters and settings are diverse, and the stories pack a powerful punch, leaving the reader reeling.
Quick quotes
Place of Many Birds is a rich, evocative read. Jan Merry’s prose are hauntingly elegant and she sets the scene without unnecessary wording or over describing.
With themes of memories, family and death the wonderful thing about Merry’s short stories is they can be incredibly tense and thickly laden without being overbearing.
Merry's strength is her talent for conveying mood and atmosphere: a dusty country town, a back road, summer in a beachside suburb, early morning suburban streets, all are rendered exquisitely: the reader can taste the dust, hear the birds, feel the sun beating down.