As Birds Bring Forth the Sun and Other Stories (New Canadian Library) Mass Market Paperback – June 1, 1992

This gifted writer shows that short stories can be captivating and leave you wanting more. I was glad that there were seven stories in this book. Each story was crafted well enough to stand alone, but after the third story, I could sense that MacLeod's stories are somewhat auto-biographical. Soon, you get to know his family, where he lives, and the intimate details of the lives of these hardy Scotsmen and women who came to Cape Breton Island from Scotland to find freedom and a chance to make hard work support their families. The characters are very well drawn, but I wish he had featured women more. Still, an excellent book, one which made me read other short story compilations by MacLeod.

You can read a lot of short stories without finding any like the ones in this collection. Gripping, touching, vivid stories of lives lived far away and far differently than most of us. The only comparison I can think of is Agee's "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" with Walker Evans' photographs for an insight into the lives of some other people. And this text doesn't have (and doesn't need) photographs. I did get out a map. But then I like maps and do that a lot when I read.

One of the world's greatest authors, Alistair MacLeod's deep ruminations on the nature of man's relationship with his creature companions as they're pitted against the raging elements are simultaneously lyrical and hard edged. His descriptions of the far reaches of the Canadian Maritime, its climes and its inhabitants are breathtaking. This book of short stories, as are his other writings, is truly magnificent.'

I haven't even finished the book yet but from page one I could see that this is a great book. The author has the ability to take you down the mine, floundering in icy water, to slaughtering farm animals. There's only so much one can experience first hand. Books like this give you the experiences of other people.

These short stories are little diamonds, capturing glimpses into the lives and family stories of varied Canadians of Scottish descent. Beautifully crafted, they capture the essence of the climate and weather and the toughness and sensitivity of the Higlanders who settled the north of the Americas in the late 18th century.

My friend seems to like the stories, so I am pleased with my purchase. I was alike surprised that the book was a thins and small as it is--a mass m pb. But that is less important than the work itself--'well kinda...'

I really enjoyed Alistair MacLeod's stories. Very fine, sensitive writing. I read aloud to a group of senior citizens once a week and am always looking for good short stories. I was happy to find these.

not read yet

Macleod is a justly celebrated writer in Canada, but seemingly little known outside it. His landscape is the harsh and dramatic coastline of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, and his characters are predominantly working men. As well as a deep respect for Macleod's own powers as a writer, I came away from this collection with a renewed sense of awe at the lives our ancestors had to struggle through. Even as recently as the 1960s, Macleod's Cape Breton miners are dying in far-flung corners of the world, leaving the survivors to bring the shattered bodies home.Alongside the demanding realities of labour, though, Macleod juxtaposes the vivid mental life of myth and story. So, for instance, the title alludes to an ancient belief that birds bring forth the sun, which features in a haunting legend of a huge dog, the 'cu mor glas', and the rough, kind man whose love for her was his doom. Somehow Macleod persuades you that the songs and superstitions of the Cape Breton people are just as tangible as the rocks and seas. His prose is superbly well-judged throughout, flecked with lyricism but essentially clear and muscular, and the stories reverberate in your mind for days afterwards.

Every story in this collection has its own spirit. Macleod.'s stories always seems to have a life of their own. The men and their families, the clans and the historical interconnections they brought with them from Scotland, the sea and the land are all intertwined into tender and enthralling nuggets of pure gold? the good news is that all his other work is just as good too.... I just wish there were more.

great Canadian read

So pleased to have this book. Thank you.

i only read a little, but it hadreally attracted me. i will continue to read this book in my spare time.