This work of historical fiction should have scratched a lot of itches for lovers of great poetry and the inter-war period in England. Georgiana Hyde-Lees married the writer W. B. Yeats--a strange coupling if ever there was one. Set in 1916 England during WWI, Georgiana has moved to London and taken a job as a nurse's aide in order to escape her over-bearing mother as well as to pursue her interest in mysticism, the arts, and Yeats himself.

The mysticism aspect of "More Miracle" is fascinating. The Order, a secret society that explores communicating with the many dead from WWI. Georgie is only 21 Yeats much older. Their relationship is uncomfortable, and neither of them is likable.

I wanted to like this book and was excited to start it. Sadly, there’s something distasteful about the whole endeavor. There may be readers who devour this novel with gusto, but I am not one. Nonetheless, I’m grateful for the DRC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was interested in reading about Georgie Hyde’s-Lee, whom I never heard of. I have heard of W. B. Yeats, but never really knew much about but read many of his works in high school. The moment I opened the first page, I was appalled by the storyline. The novel started off well with Georgie’s background. I liked her at first, she seemed smart, a hard worker, and very caring. However, when she meets W. B. Yeats, she starts to go downhill. I did not agree with her actions especially marrying a man who did not love her and who treated her horribly! I also did not like W.B. Yeats who seemed very creepy. He got his wife into the occult and seances and throughout the novel, he kept pursuing a woman who was not interested in him! Many times, I wanted Georgie to drop W. B. Yeats snd end up with Lieutenant Pike who seemed to love her. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. While it is laced with historical details, the story is very predictable and slow-moving. The characters, except for Lieutenant Pike, were all unlikable and kept making bad choices. Nevertheless, I recommend this for those that would like to learn about W. B. Yates! I recommend this for fans of Rhapsody, Nora, and Twain’s End!

I don't know much about Yeats and this book was one I thought would give me more depth about the poet but it was quite slow, actually boring in parts. I found myself skipping around just to finish. Disappointing.

DNF @32%
2020; Tin House Books/Recorded Books

THIS cover! Yes, I chose this book solely based on the cover...and it didn't work out this time. I tried reading the novel, and it felt like I wasn't even reading it. Nothing was sticking in my brain, so when I saw the audiobook available for request, I had to try one more time. Ugh, the same thing happened again. No matter how much I tried, this story would not stick.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook and audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

Thank you to Netgalley & Alice Miller for my copy of More Miracle than Bird, for an honest review. I really didn’t know what to expect from this story and was surprised of how it went. Georgie Hyde-Lees, is in London, right before the start of WWI. During a party she meets the poet W.B. Yeats & although he is much older and eccentric, Georgie falls for him. She is enamored by him, almost obsessed. He invited her to join a secret society and changes everything for her. Her job, as a nurse, becomes a distraction. She can’t concentrate and makes mistakes. The only person that holds her interest, other than Yates is a soldier she takes care. He is heartbroken and relies on Georgie while recouping. The story is a wonderful mix of her work life, day to day and her night life and the secret world Years brings her into. Georgie and Yates’ relationship becomes intense and the world war was becoming intense. Can they make a relationship during these hard times? Can she find peace with Yates. Can she continue to work and take care of soldiers? Her whole world is spinning out of control, during one the worst wars in history. The author did a great making me feel I could be in the early 1920’s. This Historical fiction novel blends to the two worlds together and I really enjoyed it. This was a four star read for me. I really was invested in how things would work out. I have recommended this to friends and family and on my Instagram page. I am glad I was able to read a copy and I hope you like it as well.

How refreshing to read a historical fiction book set in a different time period than WWII. However, I didn't realize that I would be getting into a fantasy book about magic and secret societies also. They were incredibly interesting even though no usually my cup of tea. I believe it was Alice Miller's writing of her complex, enigmatic characters that kept me interested and going. I do wish I did know more about W.B. Yeats before reading this book - I think I would have enjoyed him as a main character more.

This cover drew me in more than anything. I'm a fan of W.B. Yeats' work, but I know his personal life was... not as much to be admired. Still, this book intrigued me as it is told by Yeats' much younger wife and focuses on both her wartime nursing experience, her pursuits of the occult that coincided with her relationship with Yeats, and the ties that could have pulled her life in another direction but ultimately didn't. I liked the author's style, even as the story fell a bit flat in places. For someone who doesn't know Yeats' work and persona, it would be hard to understand what Georgie saw in him based only on this book, especially with regard to the shadow Maud and Iseult Gonne cast in his life.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

It's always fun to imagine the lives of historical figures, but I often leave this type of book confused between the real and the imagined.

"More Miracle than Bird" follows the lives of Georgiana Hydey-Lees and her husband (the writer) W.B. Yeats. Although I was familiar with the works of Yeats, his life was entirely unknown to me. Their WWI romance is the story of independence and love.

If you enjoyed "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald." I would definitely give this book a read!

I liked Georgie so much! She was a great character that felt like a real person and I could relate to her. I enjoyed going on this journey with her.

I found the central character appealing for both her courage in striking out on her own from her suffocating family and for her natural naivete. Her gradual acceptance into a spiritualist group that includes Ezra Pound and WB Yeats is realistic, though her gradual love for Yeats seems mysterious--which may be part of the point. Her friends, family, London during World War I and various other people and settings are realistic and all is subtly permeated with mystery and a bit of vagueness much like London fog. Atmospheric and with definite appeal for fans of historical fiction and real-history-and people-based fiction.

This compelling new novel by Ms. Alice Miller, takes the reader into the hidden romance between Yeats and Hyde-Lees.

This is the romance, at the time, that had the whole world talking. Young and beautiful, Georgie Hyde-Lees meets Yeats through an invite to a seance.

Rumors of a scandalous reputation and fascination for the spiritual and the occult surrounded this couple, as well as Yeats long time and ongoing affairs with numerous women. She was only 25, he was 52.

The author has captured the essence of this power couple. This was an intriguing and tumultuous time for writers and artists... it's just before the great war, and these Victorian radical writers, thinkers, and artists are on the brink of self discoveries.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers at Tin House Books and the author, Ms. Alice Miller, for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "More Miracle Than Bird". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

I’ve been reading a lot of WWII Historical Fiction books lately and so this book, More Miracle Than Bird has been a good change of pace.
Knowing little of William Butler Yates I was looking forward to reading more about his and his not so famous wife- Georgie.
The author writes this book as if it is like a secret whisper, it breathes in your ear, tells you things you aren’t expecting, and ravels it all up with gossip between 4 romantic ties.
I enjoyed More Miracle Than Bird.

Thank you, NetGalley, Tin House Books, and Alice Miller for the opportunity to read and review this book in lieu of my honest review.

Great historical fiction writers have a sense of imagination to bring the unknown forward. Georgie Hyde-Lees is a nurse tending to World War I soldiers by day and at night she a member of an occult London group. W.B. Yeats, the poet, is also a member. He’s quite a ladies’ man and one would never guess that the stubborn and not so attractive young Georgie would marry the older Yeats. Turns out there’s another love interest for Georgie in one of her patients. Yet Georgie marries Yeats and proves she’ll be more useful than a “glorified secretary.

This work of historical fiction depicts the life of Georgiana Hyde-Lees, who married the writer W. B. Yeats. Set in 1916 England during WWI, Georgiana has moved to London and taken a job as a nurse's aide in order to escape her over-bearing mother as well as to pursue her interest in mysticism, the arts, and Yeats himself. In a time where women without independent means have few life choices, Georgiana is looking for a way to achieve a level of independence. She is attracted to Yeats and feels that he reciprocates her feelings, yet she is confused when he does not propose marriage and instead seems to pursue other women. They share an interest in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society devoted to the occult, as well as poetry and writing. An excellently plotted and atmospherically written portrayal of the woman who greatly influenced the later writings of Yeats. Georgiana Hyde-Lees does not come off as simply the woman behind the man, but a fascinating and deeply nuanced character herself.

This is a great piece of historical fiction about the real-life relationship between Georgie Hyde-Lees and the famous poet W.B. Yeats. Even though Yeats was a lot older than her, Georgie set her sights on him and he introduces her to the occult which she becomes involved with. This story is set against the backdrop of World War I and focuses on the evolution of not only the relationship, but of Georgie as a person.

This an interesting piece of biological fiction. I liked reading about W.B. Yates. I was a bit put off by the intense descriptions of war wounds but overall the book was a quick read. I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

This was a fascinating story that grabbed me from the first page. Most historical fiction books don’t go into much detail about battle wounds, but I found myself cringing at the descriptions in the first chapter.

I loved Georgie’s character, though she smitten with Yeats. Obviously not a good match, but I am glad, to an extent, that this wasn’t the happy-ever-after-everything-is-perfect ending.

The afterlife element threw me a little bit. I don’t typically read books dealing with the afterlife, ghosts, spirits, etc because it is not something I personally believe in or can connect with. I wasn’t expecting that to be in an historical fiction novel, but seeing as how the Secret Society dealt with those elements, it makes sense.

Interesting and page turning, I enjoyed this book.

A fascinating look into two people I knew nothing about but really enjoyed reading this well written story. It takes you to a time you might know nothing about. Pick up this wonderful book. I look forward to reading more from this author. Happy reading!

I found to Love half of this book. I loved the story of Georgie as a nurse, caring for war heroes in London but did not So much care for her time in the Order and romance with W. b. Yates. They felt like completely different books.

This is an interesting bit of bio fiction that's clearly well researched and thought out. Georgie Hyde-Lees met WB Yeats when she was 21. Their courtship was unusual to be sure- starting with the large age difference. Her involvement in the occult came after he introduced her to the Order. She did keep her feet on the ground nursing soldiers during WWI, including Lieutenant Pike (who might have made a better partner for her but then where would we be?). Miller does a good job too with giving a sense of time and place. Big fans of Yeats might quibble about some points but those of us who know his name and perhaps a bit of his work will find the details of his life most informative. I found myself googling various individuals and inspired to look up several of his poems. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For those who like historical fiction and stories of the women who lived along more famous men.