Review: Featherhood by Charlie Gilmour [Memoir, Non-Fiction]

 Rating: 5/5 stars

Since the year is nearly at a close, I feel safe in saying that Featherhood is unquestionably the best memoir of 2020.

I have been following Benzene's story on here since the beginning, so of course I got my greedy little goblin hands on this as fast as I could.

Eyebrows are often raised amongst the cynical and the merely pragmatic whenever someone with famous connections – in this case the son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour – lands a book deal, but in this case within the first few pages it becomes clear that Gilmour is a superb writer, and that this book was published on its own merit rather than because of friends in high places. It is ostensibly a memoir about the bond between Gilmour and the magpie he and his partner rescued from near-death as a fledging, but it's also about so much more than that. Gilmour dives deep into the very heart of his past, relationships, and his soul.

Featherhood is about overcoming despair, learning from past mistakes, and creating a new life. As a celebration of the magpie, it is a must read for those indifferent to magpies or those who hate them – because it will certainly change your mind. It is impossible to read this book and not come out as a magpie-lover, as Gilmour extols the virtues, vices and sheer sparkling intelligence of these wonderful birds. By turns humorous and heartfelt, tragic and triumphant, if you are looking for a book that will bring a new, multi-faceted perspective to your life, Featherhood is it. By turns humorous and heartfelt, it is a reminder in these troubled times that there is always room for kindness, both to our human and animal neighbours.

I absolutely cannot wait to see what Charlie Gilmour comes out with next!