George

A Magpie Memoir

By: Frieda Hughes

Narrated by: Frieda Hughes

“Poignant and funny…a passionate book about unconditional love and commitment.” —The Washington Post * “Captivating.” —Associated Press * “Rich with imagery…It’s impossible not to be smitten.” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

From poet and painter Frieda Hughes, an intimate, charming, and humorous memoir recounting her experience rescuing and raising an abandoned baby magpie in the Welsh countryside.

When Frieda Hughes moved to a ramshackle estate in the wilds of Wales, she was expecting to take on a few projects: planting a garden, painting, writing her poetry column for The Times (London), and possibly even breathing new life into her ailing marriage. But instead, she found herself rescuing a baby magpie, the sole survivor of a nest destroyed in a storm—and embarking on an obsession that would change the course of her life.

As the magpie, George, grows from a shrieking scrap of feathers and bones into an intelligent, unruly companion, Frieda finds herself captivated—and apprehensive of what will happen when the time comes to finally set him free.

With irresistible humor and heart, Frieda invites us along on her unlikely journey toward joy and connection in the wake of sadness and loss; a journey that began with saving a tiny wild creature and ended with her being saved in return.

©2023 Frieda Hughes (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Never Liked Birds But This Story is Heartwarming

Narrator is a little bland and slow speaking. When I changed the speed to 1.2 it was much better. Very good story but I could have done without the gross parts. Frieda and George’s relationship was better than most marriages.

If you love, someone, set them free

I was completely enthralled, listening to the author, read her words, describing her relationship to George, her magpie, I especially related to how she described George’s growing freedom as ventured forth, exploring the world outside the kitchen window. Coincidentally, my husband had just died three weeks before I started reading this book. He had been very sick and his death was a form of his spirit being set free, I couldn’t help but make a parallel between George taking out through that window, this idea gave me great peace, maybe the same kind of peace that the author felt as George flew to his freedom.

love affair

beyond humanity this is a love affair between a woman and the natural world . loved it

Loved this book

I am not a bird person, but I was super interested in what it would be like to raise a wild bird. And now I’ve learned one story. I wish Ms Hughes would write a book about her owls now. I sought her out on YouTube and found her on the CBS morning show in a relatively recent piece and it was really delightful to hear and see her talk and to see the grounds of where she lived and where this book was set in Wales. Thank you for this!

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, Frieda, for caring for George and for sharing his story with us. It was a delight to share in the journey.

Frieda Hugh’s connection to nature and her birds.

I loved that her then husband was referred to as X and that she loves poetry and motorcycles

The detailed descriptions and humor

I like positive animal stories. Why 15 words?
I like positive animal stories. This is ridiculous.

Disenchanted

I guess I was expecting the story to be more, I don’t know, awe-inspiring? Delightful in some aspects and fell flat in others. Animals certainly do spark joy, but this book didn’t particularly for me.