All the Birds in the Sky

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The relationship between Laurence and Patricia is at the heart of the book, and it’s all about being different. And about two very different ways of seeing the world. They meet up as kids, and they struggle to survive the horrors of middle school – everything from mean kids to a school guidance counselor with a deadly secret. And then 10 years later, they meet again, after Patricia has graduated from a magical school, and Laurence has become a genius engineer and “wunderkind.” Patricia vowed with all her heart to do everything in her power to save this bird. This was what led to Patricia being asked a question with no good answer, which marked her for life. Patricia shook her head, she couldn't make a sound. But she was past that now. "Hello," she said. And thank all the birds in the sky, she sounded like just another bird gossiping. This is by far one of the best debut novels in the genre in years… A bright new author, destined to do well.” — Andrew Musk,Starburst Magazine Anders' first novel, Choir Boy, was published in 2005. Most of it was written in 2001, and she described it as "very weird literary" fiction. [5] After that she worked on several novels, including All the Birds in the Sky, but it was not until her science fiction novelette " Six Months, Three Days" won her a Hugo, that she realized what readers were after, and focused on All the Birds. In a 2016 interview in the science fiction book podcast Geek's Guide to the Galaxy, Anders said that, whereas the other books she was working on "felt like something that other people could have written", All the Birds "felt like something only I could have written." [5] She spent most of 2011 working on the book. [6] Tor Books acquired All the Birds in the Sky in March 2014, with publication planned for 2015. [1]

The very short list of novels that dare to traffic as freely in the uncanny and wondrous as in big ideas—I think of masterpieces like The Lathe of Heaven; Cloud Atlas; Little, Big—has just been extended by one."—Michael Chabon The latter half of the book is A LOT of fun, a bit more lighthearted than the first, despite Earth’s dire situation. There are menial jobs, rents to pay, dates to go on, and even the occasional bong to smoke. Wild concepts in both science and magic occupy the two distinct worlds of the book, including doomsday machines, timey wimey wibbly wobbly experiments, and crazy spells. And Anders fills the grand scale of her narrative with smaller, more personal moments too, giving us lots of funny exchanges between her characters—and especially technology. In fact, the book’s present isn’t much different from our own, as Laurence and Patricia traverse a world obsessed and dependent on technology. And although Patricia and Laurence’s philosophies differ quite a bit in the overall story, they both embrace the gadgets at their disposal when it comes to connecting with others—and the writer expertly ties how this technology is vital to their connection. Every so often a novel comes along that begs to be discussed among friends, argued over coffee, and read until the spine breaks. All the Birds in the Skyis such a book.It’sa gorgeous coming-of-age story about magic and science, the apocalypse, and love.” — Aidan Moher, writing in Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi Blog

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Well.” A giant turkey in one of the lower branches, with wattles that looked a bit like a judge’s collar, pulled himself upright and appeared to consult some markings scratched into the side of the Tree before turning and giving a loud, learned “glrp” sound. “Well,” he said again, “there are several methods that are recognized in the literature. Some of them are trials of death, but we might skip those for the moment perhaps. There are also some rituals, but you need to be of a certain age to do those. Oh yes, here’s a good one. We could ask her the Endless Question.” Patricia has magical powers, from an early age. When she tries to rescue a small bird with a broken wing, she discovers she can understand what the bird is saying—and she can talk to other creatures in the forest, as well. But becoming a fully-fledged witch is no easy process, and Patricia’s powers aren’t at all reliable. Once Patricia is a grown-up, she’s mastered her powers—but now she has to deal with the other witches, who worry that Patricia will break the one and only rule of magic. Charlie Jane Anders, part visionary, part romantic, one hundred percent gifted storyteller has written a gem of a novel in “All The Birds in the Sky.” A love story for our age and the next, and maybe the one after that.”— Tom Barbash( Stay Up With Me) Those of you reeling at the thought of reading any sci-fi beyond The Martian, take heart: This apocalyptic tale is a sly take on modern love and the need to figure out our planet’s future.” — San Francisco Magazine (including pie-chart!)

Into each generation of science fiction/fantasydom a master absurdist must fall, and it’s quite possible that with ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY, Charlie Jane Anders has established herself as the one for the Millennials… It’s complex, and scary, and madcap… The result is as hopeful as it is hilarious, and highly recommended.” — N.K. Jemisin, New York Times Book Review a b c Webb, Richard (August 30, 2016). " All The Birds In The Sky. Book Review". British Fantasy Society. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020 . Retrieved April 11, 2017. Patricia waited until Tommington had reached the top, then swung down the other side of the tree, dropping from branch to branch so fast she almost pulled her arm out, and then landed on the ground on her butt with an oof. When wizards meet scientists who have created time machines, one is left with no option but to expect wonders of the best kinds.” —The New Indian Express Into each generation of science fiction/fantasydom a master absurdist must fall, and it’s quite possible that with All the Birds in the Sky, Charlie Jane Anders has established herself as the one for the Millennials...highly recommended.” —N. K. Jemisin, The New York Times Book ReviewEarlier drafts of the novel included aliens and an evil wizard. Anders recalled she "overstuff[ed] it with genre elements" to the extent that it became "a kind of genre spoof". [5] But it was around the sixth draft she decided to make it about a witch and a mad scientist, Patricia and Laurence. [5] Initially they were to be rivals, using science and magic to fight each other, but Anders realized it would work better if they were friends. She said it was the relationship she had created in "Six Months, Three Days" that made her decide to make All the Birds in the Sky a "relationship story". [6] Anders cited Cory Doctorow's Little Brother (2008) and Jo Walton's Among Others (2011) as inspiration for the Patricia and Laurence coming of age sections of the novel. [7] Reception [ edit ] Both characters’ failings are instantly recognisable as those of young adults going out into the world for the first time and discovering that their actions have consequences beyond themselves. Because of this, and because the characters recognise and learn from their mistakes, Patricia and Laurence always remain sympathetic.” — Fantasy Faction Uh,” Patricia said. “Can you give me a hint? Umm. Is that ‘red’ like the color?” The birds didn’t answer. “Can you give me more time? I promise I’ll answer, I just need more time to think. Please. I need more time. Please?” Anders’ humor elevates this marvelous book above the morass of dystopian novels that have flooded the literary landscape. So does her ability to portray a realistic yet original vision of the near-future, especially in her depiction of the Caddy, a smartphone-like device that relies on serendipity (and which, one hopes, will soon be available in various colors). The result feels like one of William Gibson‘s baroquely complex worlds, aerated by lighter-than-air dialogue and an engaging, diverse cast of supporting characters you’d love to meet at your next end-of-the-world party.