First, a thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book.

I am honestly not sure how I feel about this book. Perplexed? Lost? Confused? I think it's all of those, but somehow still dulled and barely-there.

I have to admit, what drew me to this book was first and foremost the cover, and secondly I was pulled in due to this being a translated book.

However, I am left now wondering if something was perhaps lost in translation? I could see some good bones in the story, but overall, I feel like it fell quite flat in the end.

3.5 stars rounded up!

While I enjoyed this book, I would categorize it as one you read because you appreciate the words you are reading, but you aren’t necessarily reading it for the plot. I’m not really sure where the story ended up taking me, but I had fun and laughed along the way!

This book is humorous and quirky, but also poignant and deep. This story examines some complicated family dynamics, alcoholism, and has a social commentary on the homeless. These issues are talked about in simple yet impactful way, as we see it all through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy.

The actual plot has an intriguing premise, but then the ending was very anticlimactic to me. Is it weird to say I don’t think the plot was the main focus of the book? There's layers to this book that enjoyed, but the actual plot took a backseat.

I will also say this is a very fast read - I'd say you could easily read it in one sitting if you wanted to.

Also, I don't usually comment on the book covers, but this one is just SO gorgeous in my opinion. I would buy it simply for the cover!

Thank you NetGalley and Tin House for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars

This was elegantly written (the translation read effortless) and captured a sense of complex emotions that were somehow distilled simplicity in the end without any superficiality. However, I felt kept at a distance throughout and was hence left less emotionally impacted than I had imagined when I started reading it.

Miguel, a 12 year old, narrates this tale- almost a fable-about his uncle Ramon and their neighbors. Ramon has turned a perch on a billboard into his nest. He finds himself in the midst of a conflict when a child disappears. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This won't be for everyone but it's an interesting read for fans of literary fiction.

This was my first book to read by this author but won't be my last! The story and its characters will stick with you long after you finish the story. Highly recommend!

Narrated by a young boy whose uncle goes to live on a Coca-Cola building across from their apartment complex.

A man in Santiago, Chile has a job taking care of a Coke billboard, and he decides to actually go live in the billboard. Narrated by the man's nephew, the story has little plot (until a neighborhood child disappears) but presents thought-provoking messages on the power of human connections, the importance of shaping your own destiny, and the danger of a community becoming closed-minded.

HOW TO TURN INTO A BIRD is such an incredible story of the human will to survive in an often bewildering world.
I connected immediately with Ramon and Miguel and the writer does an amazing job with plot and pacing. I was quite anxious about what would happen next.

There's much to admire with the writing here, which is elegant and intelligent. I look forward to more from this author.

Recommended for fans of literary fiction.