I am so glad you did “warm up” to Pigeon, and I look forward to reading your review. As you say, not all books will appeal to all readers, but I find that most readers do feel protective of Pigeon and root for her. And most readers, I think, can relate to the theme of wanting someone to “look after” them, but realizing ultimately that we must all look after ourselves. And also the theme of selective memory– although Pigeon as an adult says she remembers every detail of that summer, ultimately she only remembers it through her own lens.
I’m also glad you saw the goodness in Uncle Edward. I see him a caring loving man who really does try to do his best by these kids (and Cary, too, tries to do his best although he is not exactly the perfect father figure). I guess we all fumble through life a bit.

At any rate, thank you for being such a wonderful reader and I will be sure to check out your blog tomorrow morning.

Maud

I liked Robin an awfully lot, too. He was quirky, without being out and out weird. I know what you mean about being afraid Uncle Edward to do something creepy. I had the same suspicion which fortunately didn’t pan out. Overall, he was a good Uncle to Pigeon and her siblings even though no one could make up for the self-centered father.Read more from Bellezza
Mailbox Monday
A

Bellezza and Jennifer,

I am so enjoying the ‘interchange’ about my book. Makes it come alive for me all over again. THANK YOU BOTH!

Maud

I find it fascinating that some people connect with certain characters and others don’t. I’m curious now whether I would connect with Pigeon or not.
Thanks for being on this tour, Jennifer!

Trish–
Give it a try and see. Most people I have spoken with have connected with Pigeon because she ‘speaks’ to that child in all of us. I will look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Maud

Thanks for being on this tour, Jennifer!

Maud, thank you so much for your comments. I did end up liking Uncle Edward after I finished the book. I guess I was waiting for him to do something to Pigeon. Every time he was alone with Pigeon I was waiting for something awful to happen. He really was a hero in the novel. Robin was definitely my favorite and you’re absolutely right about each family member having a different story to tell.
Kathy and Nat, I just had a chance to read Dolce Bellezza’s review, which is much different than mine: http://dolcebellezza.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/looking-after-pigeon/. I just don’t think I was the right reader for this book or, perhaps, that I read it at the wrong time. I’ll be curious to read other reviews alone the tour.
Read more from Jennifer
#208 ~ Looking After Pigeon
Looking After Pigeon by Maud Carol MarksonToday it is my great pleasure to be Maud Carol Markson’s host on her TLC Book Tour for her novel, Looking After Pigeon.  I would like to thank her for se[...]

Jennifer– If I had to be worried about Uncle Edward harming Pigeon throughout the book, that might have affected how I read it myself. Of course, no writer can please every reader, and different books resonate with different readers. Still, I always appreciate hearing different perspectives, and of course all reviews reveal something about the book!
I am enjoying your blog.

Maud

I am often more intrigued by less-than-glowing book reviews. I often read books that other bloggers were not so enchanted with just to see if my opinion aligns with the reviewer’s!
I really love novels that focus on family dynamics and am looking forward to getting ahold of this one! Thanks for the honest (and motivating!) review.

Dear Nat,

I certainly hope you will “try” Looking After Pigeon. It definitely focuses on family dynamics, on one’s place in one’s family, and on one’s forming an identity outside of one’s own family, and the attempt to answer the ultimate question: How can I look after myself? I will look forward to hearing what you think after you’ve had a chance to read the book– I love hearing from readers!

Maud