bryonydoran
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...
 2 China Bird E-Cover |  The China Bird Audio ExcerptBryony Doran reads from her novel, The China Bird. |
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 The China Bird ExcerptTake a sneaky peek at The China Bird... |  The China Bird and DisabilityBryony Doran writes on Disability and the aesthetics of beauty. Photo cred.: Dan Chung, featuring artwork by Alison Lapper. |
 The China Bird - Book GroupsClick to discover more about the Hookline Novel Competition and download a Book Group Guide. |
"Society’s perception of beauty even today falls within the very narrow band of the acceptable norm..."
In this unusual love story told with poignant delicacy, Bryony Doran explodes our concepts of beauty, love and disability.
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