The Bird Hotel

A Novel

By: Joyce Maynard

Narrated by: Joyce Maynard

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Enter the magical world of La Llorona with New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard.

After a childhood filled with heartbreak, Irene, a talented artist, finds herself in a small Central American village where she checks into a beautiful but decaying lakefront hotel called La Llorona at the base of a volcano.

The Bird Hotel tells the story of this young American who, after suffering tragedy, restores and runs La Llorona. Along the way we meet a rich assortment of characters who live in the village or come to stay at the hotel. With a mystery at its center and filled with warmth, drama, romance, humor, pop culture, and a little magical realism, The Bird Hotel has all the hallmarks of a Joyce Maynard novel that have made her a leading voice of her generation.

The Bird Hotel is a big, sweeping story spanning four decades, offering lyricism as well as whimsy. While the world New York Times best-selling author Joyce Maynard brings to life is rendered from her imagination, it’s one informed by the more than 20 years of which she has spent a significant amount of her time in a small Mayan indigenous village in Guatemala.

As the New York Times said, "[Maynard] has an unswerving eye, a sharply perked ear, and the ability to keep her readers hanging on her words." People Magazine said of her: "Maynard’s spare prose packs a rich emotional punch.”

©2023 Joyce Maynard (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

Review of ‘The Bird Hotel’.

What a wonderful story of love lost, emotional trauma, emotional growth, and forgiveness. The setting, in a. Small village in Central America, was so well described that I might have been there myself. The story is narrated by the author and was sooo well done. Just terrific.

A most beautiful story.

The author has created a world
that we would all want to share
A piece of. The book is filled
with many imaginative characters,
all so interesting to read about.
It will always be one of my most
best loved books.

very real, unusual work of fiction

although it was dark in the beginning, I stayed with it long enough to find the light and then was hooked. a very good listen.

I loved this book

Once I started listening to this book, I could not stop. The writing is gorgeous. There are many stories and characters in this book and they are all beautifully told. I will definitely listen to this again.

Loved this book!

Beautiful,magical story, writing and characters! I was transported to this very special paradise! Loved this book!

Gorgeous, Evocative, Tender, Superbly Paced

I loved this book. I loved hearing about NYC, where I lived for some years, and the San Francisco area, where I lived for more years. Now Joyce's gorgeous writing has me yearning to go explore Central America to find some hippy-fied natural area to live out the remainder of my days. Listen to this book. You will not be disappointed.

And as for her remarks in her Acknowledgments about the cultural appropriation warriors, bravo! Where would our literature be without those writers who have travelled the world and brought back tales of its fascinating denizens? There is room in the literary pantheon for all writers who bring imagination, sensitivity and non-judgmental intelligence to their work.

Compelling and lyrical

As I told an online group I’m in after I read the opening chapters, “from the first words, it grabbed me by the arm, hard, and said, come with me. I have a story to tell you.

“It’s still pulling me along, but force is not necessary. I’m going willingly.”

I went willingly to the end and do not regret a moment.

Maynard’s plot surprised me many times, but she also lightly inserted foreshadowing here and there.

When I saw the book was read by the author, I hesitated because I’ve purchased a few books of that type that were unpleasant to listen to. However, Ms. Maynard’s clear, evocative narration complements her imaginative storytelling.

I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in quite a while.

(I say nothing about what happens because the book’s blurb tells you enough.)

Absolutely wonderful book, I loved every minute of it!!!

This is a book that so deeply moved me, I felt that familiar dread one feels with all great books toward the end. And yet I was also so immersed in the story and captivated by the characters that I couldn’t wait to know what would happen next. I absolutely loved The Bird Hotel and couldn’t recommend it more highly. I don’t really write reviews on audible, ever, but especially in light of the author’s acknowledgments, I wanted to share a few words about my experience listening to this book. I’ve read other books (that I’ve greatly enjoyed) by this author and I always enjoy her narration as well. To Joyce Maynard, or anyone who works with her: would you 🙏🏽 please consider writing The Bird Hotel Book Two…what happens next…?! This is one of my favorite books of the last year, maybe of all time. Thank you for continuing to write stories that inspire me to go places I’ve never gone & to see people & places & the world
through new eyes.

Fantastic story

I loved this book. It was so full of wonderful characters. So imaginative. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work. I’m so glad that she did not cave to the horrific notion of the so called “woke” media and will look for more books published by Skyhorse Publishing.

Best read in a long time

I absolutely loved this book. The narrator was great. You can smell the air, taste the food, be there in the moment. It stays with you for long afterwards and teaches some lessons. Overall a great book!