The Spirit Bird
Drue Heinz Literature Prize
Winner of the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, The Spirit Bird is a stunning collection that showcases Kent Nelson's mature artistry and profound empathy. These stories traverse a vast array of geographies and human experiences, touching on the complexities and intricacies of what it means to be alive. You’ll encounter characters as varied as a man running a movie business in the desert, another who inexplicably transforms into a donkey, and a woman grappling with an unstable father. What unifies these disparate narratives is Nelson’s singular ability to expose the unsettled nature of the human spirit, the constant flux of our hopes and aspirations. Each plot is masterfully crafted, with unexpected developments that challenge your perceptions of reality. Together, these thirteen tales form a powerful chorus that speaks to universal themes of love and loss, and the arduous yet essential journey of overcoming obstacles. Critics have lauded Nelson's magical way of making ordinary descriptions come alive, and his nuanced exploration of identity, acceptance, and the desire to be whole. If you seek a collection that is as moving as it is surprising, filled with rich characters and exotic backdrops, The Spirit Bird is an absolute must-read.
“The spirit bird, unseen but always felt, guided them through the shifting landscapes of their lives, reminding them that wholeness was a journey, not a destination.”
“Over a 35-year career, Nelson has garnered frequent widespread acclaim for his finely crafted short stories, which have been regularly featured in esteemed venues such as the ‘O. Henry’ and ‘Pushcart’ prize anthologies. His newest collection has won the 2014 Drue Heinz Literature Prize . . . Embracing a wide range of stirring themes and exotic backdrops, Nelson draws equally on his imagination and his own colorful experiences in 13 tales that are as moving as they are full of inspired surprises. . . . Nelson captivates his readers with finely nuanced prose that reaches into his characters’ deepest feelings as they confront their unique personal misfortunes. Highly recommended.”
“The Spirit Bird indicates a seasoned talent at work. It’s a collection set in disparate geographies and touching on disparate lives, but it explores consistently the terrain of loneliness and yearning. One of its more impressive features is the way it artfully balances saying too much with saying too little. These stories open out instead of closing up. They’re moving, which is hard to do, and surprising in the sense that we’re unprepared for how they end. I respect and admire The Spirit Bird. It’s the work of an author whose passionate immersion in life is evident on every page.”
“Nelson’s story collection explores a number of lives and loves across a variety of geographies. Each story, whether about the man running his own movie business in the desert, the man who transforms from his normal self into a donkey in the blink of an eye, the woman struggling to deal with her unstable father, or the man exploring the further reaches of his sexuality, touches on the complexities and intricacies of personal relationships. . . . Nelson’s stories show how humans become unsettled; how our spirits, hopes, and aspirations are always in a state of flux. Each plot turns on unexpected developments, which challenge our perceptions of reality. Together the stories act as a powerful chorus that speaks to the reader about love and loss, and overcoming obstacles.”
University of Pittsburg Press, 2014