Member Reviews
Wasn't my usual genre but well written although I found it finished a bit abruptly. Found it a bit hard to warm to the main character and found a few of the other characters a bit annoying. Would have preferred a happier ending.
What an interesting and unique read. I enjoyed the narrator and writing, though the ending left a little to be desired for me. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC.
I admit I didn’t know anything about Yeats when I requested this book – I knew who he was, of course, but nothing more than that. However, I was fascinated by the description of the book, it seemed so mysterious and interesting.
It was really nice listening to this audiobook. I think the narrator’s voice is really soothing and her tone suits the story really well. Additionally, speaking from the perspective of a non-native English speaker, it was really easy to understand what she was reading and I could even listen to her at 1.5x or 2x speed without any problem.
This book basically tells the story of Georgie Hyde Lees, a young woman who works as a nurse during World War I. She’s an interesting character, I found her to be relatable, as she’s really naive and still wants to believe in what she thinks is the truth even though the people around her try to scold her and bring her back down to earth.
I really liked Lieutenant Pike’s characters; I think my absolute favorite chapters were the ones narrated from his perspective. While Georgie’s perspective was at times tiresome for her extreme naivety, it was just so interesting to dive into Pike’s mind, his war memories, his past and his thoughts. He definitely was my favorite character.
Georgie’s obsession with wanting to talk with dead people and the story revolving around Yeats, on the other hand, fell a bit flat for me and that’s a pity because more than half of this book actually revolves around the poet and the secret Order they are in. My interest sparked whenever the topic was Georgie’s growth as a person and her exploration of herself, her limits and her capabilities, and in the same way my interest died whenever they would talk about Yeats’ life, his poems or about the meetings of the Order and similar things.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but I also find it to be quite forgettable. I admit I would be surprised if after a few months I’ll still remember anything about this book at all. However I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook before bed: both the narrator’s voice and the plot were very calming and relaxing. I woud recommend it to anyone who is searching for a slow-paced read and anyone who likes historical fiction, realistic fiction and introspective novels.
I was drawn to this book to learn more about a time in history that I know little about (WW1), more about the poet W.B. Yeats and the secret society. Additionally I found Georgie's work at the hospital interesting.
The more I wanted Georgie to listen to her family and friends, the more I reflected upon my 20-something self. Thick headed and in love (with a much older man), lies and alcohol. Once my eyes were open and saw that connection, I really started enjoying the book.
Often with historical fiction, the author will provide additional information regarding their research. I was a bit disappointed that this was missing from the audiobook.
An advance read copy of the audiobook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and the author/Alice Miller.
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* good but like not really what i expected i guess? it was good but the ending was just like abrupt i guess? would consider rereading though!
Two Stories
Audiobook Review:
I absolutely adored the narrator of this book. I listened to it late at night, and her voice was soothing to listen to. She made each character sound unique and come alive. I am a fan of historical fiction. I love it when authors explore real life in a fictional way. I've always been a fan of WB Yeats but never had a sense of his personal life other than what is expressed in his poems. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. It actually seems like it is two books, one part taking place during World War I and the other part focusing on the Yeats’s early marriage. As a nurse and someone who has an interest in metaphysics, I found the first part of the book where Georgie is a wartime nurse and student of the Order of the Golden Dawn to be the most fascinating. This is where the author actually went into a fair amount of detail, showing Georgie’s day-to-day life taking care of wounded men who were convalescing in a woman's private home that she had opened to wounded soldiers; it also showed her night-to-night life as someone who is interested in the metaphysical and occult and is a trying to gain entry into the Order.
The author is a poet, and her use of language comes across beautifully throughout the book. But, unfortunately, I did not feel like she actually knew how to construct a story. Even historical fiction needs to have that story shape for us to follow, helping us keep an interest in the characters. Once Yeats and Georgie marry, the author stopped any sort of day-to-day showing of their lives, often skipping over large patches was just a few sentences telling us what had gone on. We see a few glimpses of their married life—which didn't start off so well—and as they become parents. We see the infamous Maude Gonne’s influence mostly through her adult daughter; the final scene with her was disturbing and never resolved in any satisfying way. The book ended abruptly. I couldn't quite believe it when the narrator said that it was the end of the story. I went back and listened to the last chapter to see if I'd missed something—something that suggested that the story was wrapping up. But I did not. Ultimately, I found this story unsatisfying on several levels, and looking back, it feels like a bit of a waste to have listened to it!
"I love this book. I love it because so many of the themes are in the subtext. The limitations of gender, class, status, relationship status, struggles with family of origin- all are present- but lie underneath everything, simmering under the surface. I love it because even though it was set in a different time, Georgia the main character is so relatable, shes kind, shes serious, but shes imperfect, she makes foolish decisions- that I'm sure all of us have made- and we are able to stay with her through those decisions. I love it because the detail and the turn of phrase are so beautiful, sometimes i would read a line and just stop for a while thinking about it. The characters are all totally believable and I felt like they were real. The description of the hospital, the party, and a scene from the war, stay in my mind. I feel like finding out more now about Yeats but also about the women behind the famous men - the women who were also talented and intelligent but limited by their position.
If you know Yeats and his compatriots, then you will really enjoy this book. If you don't- you will find it equally compelling. It accepts everyone. It is super visual, the plot moves along nicely, doesn't pretend to be anything else and it paints a brilliant picture of the woman behind Yeats legacy" Zoe Miller
I am having difficulty with the main charecter, so smart, but not emotionally intelligent and regularly makes wrong choices. It is a good piece of historical fiction and does a wonderful job transporting you to the era and I love all of the side stories related to spirits. Overall a good read and enjoyable. Ps. love the audiobook reader!
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
The language in the narrative is beautiful, as you would expect from a poet. But the same beauty also makes the story feel stuffy and old fashioned, as if the book was written during World War I instead of taking place during the time period.
The plot is not a quick-moving one as the book is more focused on Georgie's friends and interactions. As a woman in the 1910s, she doesn't have a very exciting life, even though her activities were far from normal. She joins the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which is a society focused on the occult. As an academic speaking several languages, she enjoys studying the order's texts when she's not working at the hospital.
There's a love triangle in the book. Georgie loves W. B. Yeats, but a soldier at the hospital also has feelings for Georgie. This part of the storyline seems extraneous and doesn't add anything to Georgie's tale.
Polly Lee has a soothing voice, and her English accent adds to the effect. The overall quality of the production lives up to Recorded Books' high standard.
Recommended for those interested in W. B. Yeats and his family and readers fascinated by the lives of women in the early 1900s.
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know what to expect when I was listening to this book. I didn't know anything about Yeats or Georgie.
I thought the story would get confusing at times with all of the story lines, but overall I enjoyed it. I got a good sense of the characters.
I thought the narrator did a great job. I would definitely listen to books by her again.
This title is beautifully and charmingly narrated by Polly Lee. I found myself looking forward to hearing her voice and was always immersed in her words. Ms. Lee makes the characters of this novel and its settings come to life with her melodic reading.
The novel tells the story of Georgie Hyde-Lees and those around her. She traveled in a circle with many in the arts. Much of the novel is about Georgie’s relationship with William Butler Yeats, Willie to her. Georgie’s close friend Dorothy marries Ezra Pound so the literary is quite present in this work.
Georgie, Yeats and others were interested in mediums and an organization that was cult like. I had no knowledge of this organization before hearing this novel and found that to be quite interesting.
An additional key character in the book is Pike. He serves as a kind of counterpoint to Yeats. Pike is a wounded soldier who very much wants to be involved with Georgie. There are many others in the story as well from Georgie’s parents to hospital the nursing director and more. Each seeks to influence Georgie in some way.
Georgie is portrayed as a young woman who is trying to live her life. She is human and makes mistakes. She is busy as a translator, hospital nurse and more. Her life unfolds in this work.
Some reviewers did not seem to like this book. However I did. I was interested in the time period, the characters and the story line.
I was dying to read this as a huge fan of Yeats. I remember visiting his home place as a child and being obsessed with his poetry ever since. I knew very little about his life though and this book seemed intriguing. Unfortunately it fell short for me. The story is told through the eyes of his young girlfriend Georgie and their ensuing love life and an eventual love triangle. Sadly I didn’t really warm to the story not to Georgie in particular.and the writing didn’t hook me in. Great narrrator though, she has a soothing and rich voice. With many thanks to the
Publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook. Congratulations to the author.
I didn’t not care for this audio book. The narrator was great, I just felt like the story line was all over the place. I am still not sure what this book was about.
I listened to More Miracle Than Bird via audiobook and have no complaints with the reader. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. It was very slow and I felt quite bored for much of the book. I didn’t connect to the characters or even care about their lives.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
2.5 stars. A love story about Georgie and WB Yeats. I love historical fiction. The narrator was wonderful and added great life to the story. But sadly the story fell flat for me. I liked hearing about Georgies duties at the hospital and it was interesting to hear more about famous Poet WB Yeats. Thank you netgalley and RB media for an audio arc in exchange for my honest review.
I just finished “More Miracle Than Bird”, and it really shed light on the love story between Georgie Hyde-Lees and W. B. Yeats. Though I knew some of Yeats’ poems, I knew little to nothing about his wife Georgie. Told from her perspective, it imagines her side of the marriage. I thought this was an interesting read, in line with The Paris Wife and Z: The Beginning of Everything.
"More Miracle Than Bird" is a historical fiction book that introduces us to a young Georgie Hyde-Lees as she navigates her 20's in England during WWI. By day, she works in a hospital, tending to bedpans and patients injured from the war. By night, she joins a Secret Society and studies how to talk to the dead.
Oh, and she's in love with W.B. Yeats, the poet, who is twice her age. Half of the story is about whether or not he'll finally "see" her.
The story weaves back and forth from her days and nights. And quite frankly, I prefered the former (her time with Tom, the Second Lieutenant who had a crush on Georgie). I was not fond of Yeats or definitely could have done without so much attention to her studies of the Afterlife. Yes, it's a true-ish story, but not a fulfilling one. (For me, anyway).
I thought debut author Alice Miller did a beautiful job as a writer. In particular, I very much appreciated the short-form chapters. (It helped keep my attention when I was bored of certain bits). The narrator, Polly Lee, did a fine telling it. I just didn't love the story.
This was a book about the life and pursuits of Georgie Hyde-Lees who was the eventual wife of the famous poet W.B. Yeats in England during WWI the years 1915-1917. Miller has a knack for showing each character's personality and quirks, so it made me want to keep reading to see what would happen next.
Georgie goes to London to escape living with her overbearing mother after the death of her endearing father to work in a small hospital caring for some wounded soldiers. While there, she meets Officer Pike, who befriends her, and wishes to pursue a relationship with her, but she is still more interested in Mr. Yeats. She also has some close friends in London she confides in and some interesting things happen as this book develops that make it an interesting read.
Georgie first meets Mr. Yeats early on, although at first he still goes on to date other women, which puzzles her. Then she became interested and involved in the occult and magic world and joins his secret society which dabbles in mysticism, seances and the occult. She also has her own interest in writing and poetry. As time goes on, they eventually marry, but they have the strangest relationship both before and after marriage. In my opinion, their whole relationship was...weird..? I'm surprised she stayed interested in him at all.
I very much enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Being a historical fiction, it was interesting to view it from W.B. Yeats' wife's POV. It was narrated by Polly Lee and she was a joy to listen to.
I would like to thank the publisher Tin House Books, the author Alice Miller and #NetGalley for this digital ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't know much about Yeats and apart from learning The Lake, Isle of Inisfree in primary school hadn't read any of his other works..Coole Park where Lady Gregory lived was only twenty minutes away from where I live and as children my parents often brought us there and my first stop was the autograph tree where anyone who had been her guest carved their initials including Yeats, Synge, O Casey, AE (George Russell) and I used to imagine the conversations that might have been held. So having seen the book on Netgalley, I requested as I was intriqued by the blurb, it's a, beautifully written book and as this was audio, the narrator was excellent and made the story come alive. I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views and are completely unbiased