Birdie

The debut novel by Indigenous law professor Tracey Lindberg was a finalist for Canada Reads 2016.

Tracey Lindberg

CBC Books Posted: Feb 07, 2017 12:12 PM EST | Last Updated: June 30, 2021

Birdiefollows a Cree woman known as Birdie on a modern-day quest from her home in northern Alberta to Gibsons, British Columbia, where she hopes to meet her teenage crush: Jesse fromThe Beachcombers.Birdie's troubled childhood has left her with inner demons, and her adventures take a dark turn, forcing her to find the strength to heal old wounds and build a new life. Informed by Cree lore,Birdieis a darkly comic novel about finding out who you are and where you're from.

Birdiewas defended byBruce Poon TiponCanada Reads 2016.

From the book

Maggie sits in the old tavern, amongst friends. The only spirits in the place, in the place with the endless celebration, are those that swirl around them, little tornadoes of light, laughter, love and grace. She reaches out and touches one, is lit up, feels her littlebigwomandaughter/mother and knows the love by heart. The sensation is one of satiation: full and fed. With the same light, laughter, love and grace. She was peaceful the moment she left. She is at peace when she touches the spirit she knows is in Bernice. Her girl is rich, rich with possibility and lifeforce. It fills Maggie and the room and everyone is awed for a moment while it passes through and over them. Her girl is filled with feelings that Maggie only gets to feel now, in this place.

From Birdie by Tracey Lindberg 2015. Published by HarperCollins Canada.

Interviews with Tracey Lindberg

Unreserved11:27The darkness and light of Birdie reflects author Tracey Lindberg's own life story

Tracey Lindberg's first novel, Birdie, draws on the humour of her own family and the darkness of being a sexual abuse survivor.

The Next Chapter18:44Tracey Lindberg on "Birdie"

Author Tracey Lindberg on her debut novel, which is in the running for this year's Canada Reads.

More about Birdie

Author Tracey Lindberg talks about Canada Reads contender "Birdie"

9 years ago

4:13

On CBC Edmonton's Radio Active, the inspiration and social context of Birdie by author Tracey Lindberg are discussed. The novel is a CBC Canada Reads contender for 2016.

Canada Reads 2016 authors dissect their first sentences

9 years ago

3:32

The authors in this year's competition Anita Rau Badami, Lawrence Hill, Tracey Lindberg, Saleema Nawaz and Michael Winter read their books' crucial first sentences

Add some good to your morning and evening.