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The China Bird

A novel by Bryony Doran

Seeing beauty in Edward’s twisted spine, a young art student begs him to sit for her. Dubious but flattered, Edward is awakened from years of apathy, and experiences emotions he cannot suppress. But vulnerability can bring strength. This tale of secrecy, love and eventual understanding explores our perceptions of beauty and abnormality.

Chosen by book groups to win the Hookline Novel Competition, readers said:

"A very enjoyable read. I was with the characters throughout and wanted to know what happened to them."

Clapham Library Reading Group

 

"A fascinating read showing realistic reactions to disability and  Edward's emotions."

 

South Woodford Library Reading Group

The China Bird is a delicate novel. Not over-emotional, it hovers like an insistent moth around the edges of your consciousness, quietly insisting that you turn just one more page. Spot-on characterisation ensures you will have a view on each of the protagonists, a view that will change as the book moves back and forth, but one which will always have you wanting to know what will become of their hopes and dreams and disasters.

- The Book Bag

About The China Bird...

The China Bird: the Inside Story

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Read the story behind The China Bird and its journey to publication...

The China Bird Audio Excerpt

The China Bird Audio Excerpt

Bryony Doran reads from her novel, The China Bird.

The China Bird Excerpt

The China Bird Excerpt

Take a sneaky peek at The China Bird...

The China Bird and Disability

The China Bird and Disability

Bryony Doran writes on Disability and the aesthetics of beauty. Photo cred.: Dan Chung, featuring artwork by Alison Lapper.

The China Bird - Book Groups

The China Bird - Book Groups

Click to discover more about the Hookline Novel Competition and download a Book Group Guide.

Read an excerpt from The China Bird

Listen to an audio excerpt from The China Bird, read by author Bryony Doran.

"Society’s perception of beauty even today falls within the very narrow band of the acceptable norm..."

Article on Disability & the Aesthetics of Beauty

In this unusual love story told with poignant delicacy, Bryony Doran explodes our concepts of beauty, love and disability.

Guide for Book Groups

Reviews

'I would say that The China Bird is a real triumph; a novel which should be eagerly consumed by readers of all tastes.'

- Rob Around Books.

 

‘To steal a word from another reviewer, it is a delicate novel. Not over-emotional it hovers like an insistent moth around the edges of your consciousness, quietly insisting that you turn just one more page. Spot-on characterisation ensures you will have a view on each of the protagonists, a view that will change as the book moves back and forth, but one, which will always have you wanting to know what will become of their hopes and dreams and disasters.’

 

– The Book Bag

"Bryony Doran has a poet’s eye for detail and colour, and her central characters are sympathetically drawn and entirely believable, making the reader anxious to know what will happen to them. This unusual novel lingers with you long after the final page has been read."

– Berlie Doherty, The Company of Ghosts

 

"A sensitive exploration of disability.  The portrayal of a person with a disability was superb, as Edward displayed  fiesty characteristics not often associated with a person with a disability."

– Karen Davies

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