Started this little gem this morning & couldn't stop until it was done. The style reminded me of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, but with more warmth & sentiment. Spare yet poetic language. Loved it. ( )

Started this little gem this morning & couldn't stop until it was done. The style reminded me of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, but with more warmth & sentiment. Spare yet poetic language. Loved it. ( )

Excellent prose comes from writers who take the time to explore deeply moving topics and take them to heights, which are not only imaginative, but are earth real. Tom Gallant in “The Lord God Bird,” has brought a character to life, ‘the man’, who is an inspiration and inspires a throw-back to a time once thought to be extinct, just like the Ivory Billed Woodpecker who soars as a beacon gliding to new life and shares equality with ‘the man.’

Here is a novel written in the style of Hemingway or Steinbeck in their early years. Gallant has a methodology of writing which many aspire to, but few attain. Using few words to say what he feels, ‘the man’, is able to convey tenderness, alertness, and all-encompassing passion, which is definitely masculine. His love to share with those around him leads to a couple of relationships that help him step away from grief that he had been experiencing during the past 10 years after his wife had died. Recovery for him was learning to live again in the moment.

One of the outstanding features of this book is the ability Gallant has to bring “The Lord God Bird,” to life through the bird speaking to its mate and other animals. Lewis Carroll in “Through the Looking Glass” had Alice communicating with animals and Gallant creates an experience equally as well. Readers will explore their own imaginations without raising the least bit of concern when hearing a bird speak to them.

Another outstanding aspect is showing the parallel between the animal kingdom and humans as they share the planet. Each has their own place, but they desire peace on their own that takes precedence over mingling with the other’s life.

The Ivory Billed Woodpecker is a bird thought to be extinct until there was a sighting in 2004 in Arkansas. That and descriptive references to “The Lord God Bird” were the impetus for Tom Gallant to write this book with this specific title. There have not been any other sightings since that time and a bounty of $50,000 is still available for the confirmation of a sighting. Gallant’s book is one of strictly fiction.

Living in a rural setting and still being worldly is what this novel demonstrates. Raising children, animals, being self-sufficient and respecting nature are some of the parts of this story. Interpersonal relationships thrive and respect for nature abounds as ‘the man’ learns to live again.

A strange facet of this novel is the ‘man’ has no name throughout the book and the same holds true for his father and grandfather. All the other characters have names throughout the book. This imparts a very tranquil spirit throughout the entire story.

This is a five star book that is highly recommended. You should seriously consider placing “The Lord God Bird” on your bookshelf and handing it down to your kin from time to time so they can get in touch with great writing. ( )