H Is for Hawk

Haunting, but not really satisfying. Macdonald takes us through her slow-motion journey through loss, loneliness, and a most uniquely primal isolation. During this period she takes on responsibility for another life, like so many of us do with puppies kittens and oh-honey-let's-make-a-baby. Unlike all those, this life is more alien than familiar; it takes special skills and sensitivity to work with. Macdonald has those, but her grief leads to poor decisions which in turn lead to eventual self-knowledge.

Macdonald writes beautifully: some sentences merited rereading with relish. She teaches us much about raptors, including their fascinating psychology. Her journey is a powerful one. On reflection, though, I'm not sure I needed to read this book or that you do. I don't feel transformed, don't really feel like it was the best use of my so-sadly-limited reading time. I don't see it staying with me. Obviously mine is a minority voice, and I'll be curious to hear your thoughts and what I've missed.