This was a very interesting book about this man named Jan. He was working in Pittsburgh.. He was from poland so he had a lot of wives and you had a son but he was not very happy there. He talked about poland when he was as a young boy and how he wanted to go back. This was a hard life as well. Woman didn't really understand him at all. But this man was a fighter. And you tried to do good by everybody. But he liked to b.....e alone with his thoughts. You'd like to drink and you would go to the pub or drink at home alone. I can see where this was confusing because it's going in America. I'm being alone as an immigrant but have to leave your country because of it beingcomin. I think his son really understood him because he could see how hard was his father to work. The title is interesting to because it talks about A bird and this is really interesting because it really tells the story together. Because you look at the bird's prospect of how things were changing. I think people really have to look at how people have to leave a certain country. But they still remember their country..

In this lush novella, a man’s quest for his grandfather underscores the human need for closure — seeking answers to the 'whys' yet bearing the inability to handle truths. Set in Zakopane, the center of Goral culture, the novella begins with an unnamed narrator dreaming of a dead magpie in a garden of purple crocuses. Before the impending grimness (as foreshadowed), the author's vivid sensory descriptions set the stage for an intriguing atmosphere.

There's a distinct folkloric quality, drawing in readers who've never set foot in Zakopane, luring them into the beauty of its cultural mundanity. Despite the confusing timeline shift, the author's poetic language delighted me with its palpable essence. The author's use of parallelism heightened the coherence of the narrative structure, echoing the characters’ individual choices while mirroring one another.

The story prioritizes sensory descriptions over deep character exploration. The characters are meant to convey prejudices and illustrate how their viewpoints drive the storyline. Themes encompass family dynamics, employment, gender expectations, and the contrast between aspiring for greatness and finding comfort in the familiar.

But the narrative's strength lies in its symbolism, transcending specificities. The fusion of cultural superstition and science illuminates the symbolic significance of magpies, depicting them as both mourners of death and bearers of luck. The allusion to the "thieving magpie" is also worth noting, but I'll refrain from discussing it to avoid spoiling the readers. I'd like to bring it up to emphasize the author's adeptness in using symbolism.

In its entirety, “The Magpie Funeral” presents an astute storyline, employing literary elements that encourage deep thinking. While the slow burn may cause readers to lose interest at first, its poetic approach deftly alters seemingly matter-of-fact details. It holds a poignant blend of tragedy and catharsis, offering profound insights into the power and magic held within this sleepy town.

I'd like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Querencia Press for providing this book for review. All thoughts shared are solely my own.

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I think this was a good concept, and I loved the use of the magpies, but it felt a little contrived. I didn't reach the same conclusion about the past as the main character, who felt immature, rash and unlikable. The descriptions of the town and region were interesting and imaginative, and felt real. This is the author's real skill. The flashbacks made some sense, but still didn't lead me to the conclusion reached by the author.

I enjoyed the story, but it just didn't totally connect with me.

I received a complimentary copy of the story from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely..

This is a short story focused on a young man's journey to understand his grandfather by understanding his grandfather's past and the world he lived in.

This book is thought-provoking and made me reflect on the motivations and the previous generations. It reminded me that we are sometimes too quick to judge without knowing the full story. Additionally, the descriptions of the magpie birds and their behavior when they lose one of their own was intriguing and a unique way to provide context to the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#TheMagpieFuneral

The Magpie Funeral is a beautiful short story about the search for family, culture, and the need to understand others and to be understood. It is about a young American man's journey to visit his Polish grandfather in the Carpathian forest, intending to learn more about their family's past and establish a deeper connection with his roots.

Magpie Funeral is a beautifully written book that captures the essence of life's journey through an exploration of love, loss, and art in less than 100 pages. The book is full of rich, poetic language that is both inspirational and heartbreaking, leaving me yearning for more.