The Spirit Bird

Nelson’s (Language in the Blood) story collection explores a number of lives and loves across a variety of geographies. Each story, whether about the man running his own movie business in the desert (“Alba”), the man who transforms from his normal self into a donkey in the blink of an eye (“Who Is Danny Pendergast?”), the woman struggling to deal with her unstable father (“My Crazy Father”), or the man exploring the further reaches of his sexuality (“The Path of the Left Hand”), touches on the complexities and intricacies of personal relationships. As the title indicates, birds play a reoccurring role in the book, and many of the characters are enthusiastic birders. An obvious yet still successful parallel is drawn between the lives and relationships Nelson depicts and the birds that flutter through the pages. One character asks questions like, “What was to be gained by counting species?” Nelson’s stories show how humans become unsettled; how our spirits, hopes, and aspirations are always in a state of flux. Each plot turns on unexpected developments, which challenge our perceptions of reality. Together, the stories act as a powerful chorus that speaks to the reader about love and loss, and overcoming obstacles. (Oct.)