The Birdcatcher

Gayl Jones

From Shelf: test jacket shelf

An exciting new novel from a major voice in American literature - exploring artists in exile, dangerous relationships and the demands of creativity.

FINALIST FOR THE 2022 NATIONAL BOOK AWARDThe Birdcatcher is the new novel from a major voice in American literature, which explores artists in exile, dangerous relationships and the demands of creativity.'A literary giant, and one of my absolute favourite writers' - Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage'I am living on the white-washed island of Ibiza with my friend Catherine Shuger, a sculptor who has been declared legally insane, and her husband, Ernest. Standing on the terrace, sheltered in the smell of oranges and eucalyptus, washed in sunlight, you'd swear this was a paradise. But to tell the truth the place is full of dangers. You see, Catherine sometimes tries to kill her husband. It has been this way for years . . .''My name's Amanda Wordlaw. Wonderful name for a writer, isn't it? . . . I guess I'm sort of a choice companion for the Shugers - professional watcher and listener that I am. It's like they need someone else to witness the shit, the spectacle they make of themselves.''A fascinating meditation on Black female creativity from the author of Corregidora and Palmares . . . Vivid characters shimmer through the pages' Suzi Feay, GUARDIAN