Description
The Bird Within Me
Sra Lundberg
Translated by B.J. Epstein
(Book Island)– hardback
£12.99
Berta Hansson’s mother fell ill during Berta’s birth. Berta gifts her with paintings in the hope she will recover. Yet this is the early 20th century and the family live in northern Swedish farmland. Life is rigid, as are the expectations of Berta and her future. While her older sister travels to Karlskoga to train in domestic science, Berta has other dreams. They do not include becoming a housewife. Meanwhile Berta’s mother’s doctor thinks that Berta’s art shows that she is ‘gifted. That [she ] should continue to study… Perhaps be an artist.’ Yet, what chance does she have, really?
Berta is confined by conventions of her setting and expectation. Though she wonders about images Uncle Johan has shown her from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, all of that is far away and out of reach. It seems that even her clay bird can escape. What can Berta do?
The Bird Within Me is Berta Hansson’s story, as imagined and created by Sara Lundberg in a beautiful, heartfelt, green-glorious, picture book, translated by B.J. Epstein. Bookwagon adores this book and urges readers to explore its wonder.
The Bird Within Me
Sra Lundberg
Translated by B.J. Epstein
(Book Island)– hardback
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