Synopses & Reviews
A gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around
us that hides in plain sight, written and illustrated by the
best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club - With a foreword by David Allen Sibley
"Unexpected and spectacular" --Ann Patchett, best-selling author of These Precious Days
"The drawings and essays in this book do a lot more than just
describe the birds. They carry a sense of discovery through observation
and drawing, suggest the layers of patterns in the natural world, and
emphasize a deep personal connection between the watcher and the
watched. The birds that inhabit Amy Tan's backyard seem a lot like the
characters in her novels." --David Allen Sibley, from the foreword
Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us,
The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through
daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches.
With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into
birding and the natural wonders of the world.
In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world:
Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and
the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned
toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the
birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace
turned into something far greater--an opportunity to savor quiet moments
during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and
imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.
Review
“Moving . . . Through diary entries, original sketches and questions to spark readers’ own introspection, this is a heartfelt look at the impact of the natural world—for those who take the time to look outside.”—People Magazine
Review
“Tan’s observations of her avian guests, recorded in journal form, are both entertaining and informative. And the drawings that illustrate her musings are remarkable . . . Like the early naturalists, Tan learns by watching, bringing no preconceptions, and it’s a pleasure to sit with her as she observes and accumulates knowledge. She takes careful notes, she sketches what she sees and she tries to draw conclusions . . . Fun, messy spontaneity, it turns out, can make for an awfully good book.”—Sue Horton, Los Angeles Times
Review
“Tan is a tremendously charming emissary from the world of birding . . . [Her] curiosity, along with a sharp eye and a novelist’s penchant for narrative, has been channeled into an absorbing, quirky book of days focused on the avian ecosystem Tan has established in her Sausalito backyard . . . The intensity of Tan’s love for her visitors makes The Backyard Bird Chronicles an unexpectedly moving account regardless of your level of interest in bird-watching. Because while the book is about goldencrowned sparrows and Cooper’s hawks and hummingbirds, it’s also a book about survival, adaptation, and chance.”—Francie Lin, The Boston Globe
About the Author
Amy Tan is the author of several novels, including The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter's Daughter. She is a co-producer and co-screenwriter of the film version of The Joy Luck Club and is on the board of American Bird Conservancy. She lives in Sausalito, California