Natalie Brown

Harboring an enduring sympathy for helpless creatures, Margie falls in love with her lonely single father professor and joins a ragtag group of animal-rights activists that enmeshes her in a dangerous, illegal plot that forces her to flee her home and assume a new identity. Summary Book News Reviews

The first half of this debut novel explores the contribution of leader charisma to activism in the character of Margie's Latin prof (who takes Latin now??) The second draws parallels and contrasts in the conscious practice of aboriginal life on a reserve. Margie retains her personality while allowing any reader to still identify with her.

I paused a few times at Margie's attraction towards Jim, the handsome Crow, in whose house she seeks shelter from the FBI. Fevered references to his burgundy lips and ink stained hands....stood out as objectification in the otherwise psychological/political activist context.

I loved Granma's story; the novel truly shines there!

7.5 out of 10 Will be looking for Ms Brown's next one! Recommended to readers who enjoy psychological fiction, political activism or stories of modern aboriginal life.… (altro)

This book should have been right up my alley, as someone whose love for animals morphed into animal welfare and then into animal rights. Unfortunately, the just didn't work for me.

On the good side, although it mentioned some of the horrible things that are routinely done to animals, it didn't go into gory detail, something that most people who care about animals beyond their pets already know about. I certainly do, and didn't want more.

A couple of the first characters introduced were a man who was suspected of letting a parakeet die due to neglect, and an animal rights activist. I liked the parakeet killer and didn't like the activist, who had some pretty slimy personal ethics. This doesn't bode well.

The protagonist, a college student, came across as silly and contrived. She had a left ovary that twinged in emotional situations, and I heard more about her ovary than I ever wanted to know. Along with that, there was too much symbolic imagery – hyacinths, red roses, buffaloes, ladybugs. It all came across as feeling just too gimmicky. The story was too predictable.

I enjoyed some of the parts about the Crow Nation, but it also felt overly romanticized to me. And while there was some romance throughout the book, it devolved into a clichéd romance that I just didn't care for.

Other people have loved this book, so apparently my opinion on this one is in the minority. If it sounds like something you would like, go for it.

I was given a copy of this book for review.… (altro)

pub june 18 The Lovebird by Natalie Brown
Like how each chapter starts out with a Latin phrase with English translation under it. The reason why I selected this
book to read was the cover, it's so pretty and peaceful and that it's about a Latin professor. I remember my brother had
a book of Latin and I remember when I was able to read with my new glasses I would look through the book and found it fascinating.
Book starts out with Latin professor Simon Melinkoff at a university in San Diego and she, Margie Fitzgerald tries to get his attention by sitting in the front row of his class.
She's got a crush on him and tries to learn all about his life. We are told of her life, where her father raised her. Simon enriches her life on being green and not harming animals
or eating meats. She joins him and others in doing deeds and protests to help free the animals from harm.
He's in his 50's and has a young daughter, Annette. Margie is not sure if his wife died or just up and walked away from everything. He has his own secrets and she has hers.
When she's put in charge of the group she runs an info session to recruit more and things get out of hand. Things prior to that get the authorities onto her trail. She must leave the area...
The traditions of others that she is sent to are very informative and interesting. They sustain themselves on what they grow...
Descriptions of the fair are phenomenal! Love Indian time!
Love all the different relationships in this book and how they interact with one another.
I received this book from Edelweiss by Random House in exchange for my honest review.… (altro)