Book Review: Nest

Book: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.

Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.

 Nest is Esther Ehrlich’s stunning debut novel. Her lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish Nest, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you.


Rating: 1 star

Review:

Have you ever read a book that's so well written yet you just couldn't seem to connect with it. I found this to be rather dark for a book geared towards children. And not to mention boring. The words are there but there is no heart in the story. This book reads more for of an older reader instead of being for middle grade readers.

This story is set during the 1970s and is about 11 years old Naomi "Chirp" Orenstein who is trying to deal with changes happening with her family and starting sixth grade. She's also becoming friends with her neighbor and classmate Joey Morell.

I was disappointed with reading this because it felt like the story was trying too hard to be tragic and kept piling more and more things onto this already dreary story. Both of Naomi's parents are sort of mean or jerky most of the time. Her father who is a psychiatrist spends so much time doling out psycho babble that he doesn't really understand anything but he did get better near the end of the story. Even Naomi's older sister Rachel is a bit of jerk to her but not that often because most of the time she's a good sister. I know the mother is sick but it seems like she is using that as an excuse to be able to push her daughters away and that's when they need her the most. I also didn't understand why she would place her self into an asylum, it didn't make any sense. Much like most of the story.

I also thought her teacher Ms. Gallagher was mean and sort of a jerk too.

There is also the trouble her friend Joey Morell has with his family (which was barely discussed even though you could tell something wasn't right). I guess you can include Joey as another person who was a little mean or a jerk to Naomi but that was due to him being upset with her and didn't know how to say why. This girl has such bad luck with most of the people in her life. As I mentioned before there is so much tragedy heaped upon this story. After a while it lacks any meaning.

It wasn't all dreariness, there were moments when the story had some good or happy moments but there were not as many as I would have liked.

The cover is just so pretty and interesting that it's one of the first things that caught my eye and had me wanting to read it. I really thought this was going to be a good read but it's not. Naomi or Chirp is an avid reader and has an interest in birds which was different but that's probably the only interesting thing about this story.

Even the tragedy near the end didn't have much of an emotional impact because it just felt like more tragedy instead of having the impact that it should.