The Bird Market of Paris

""The Bird Market of Paris" is a stunning, exceptional memoir from a woman who truly understands and appreciates birds--who could not resist the warmth of a baby lovebird in her hand, or the poetry in watching eggs turn to baby birds--and who found strength in them to carry her through addiction and heartache. A captivating, heart-warming tale and a delightful, inspiring read." --Joanna Burger, author of "The Parrot Who Owns Me: The Story of a Relationship""I've long been a devotee of Nikki Moustaki's poetry. Now, her keen eye, deft language, and startling voice shine just as brilliantly in her memoir, "The Bird Market of Paris," a work of remarkable honesty, proving the power and exuberance of her prose. The wisdom of an exceptional grandfather, a passion for birds, and the darkness of addiction--all spun together by Moustaki's gift for finding just the right words, at the right time--give life to this epiphany-provoking gem of a story, skillfully crafted, vivid and rich with feeling."--Richard Blanco, Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of "The Prince of los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood""No one writes better about birds than Nikki Moustaki. To her, the smallest beating bird heart is full of the same strength and longing that is her own. This astonishing book is the story of Nikki's growth, fall, and triumph, as she seeks to protect every bird in her path, often while not protecting herself." --Deb Olin Unferth, author of "Vacation" and "Revolution""Through breathtaking, lyrical prose, Nikki Moustaki bares herself on the page, and renders her coming of age and its uncontainable desires through the surprising metaphor of birds. This debut narrative is a stunning, inspiring, honest, break-your-heart recovery memoir with wings, a triumphant story of the brick-by-brick building of sobriety and of family love." --Christa Parravani, author of "Her: A Memoir""Nikki Moustaki's "The Bird Market of Paris" is a terrific book, a beautiful memoir of a child's lo
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Nikki Moustaki is the author of twenty-five books on the care and training of exotic birds. She holds an MA in creative writing, poetry, from New York University, an MFA in creative writing, poetry, from Indiana University, and an MFA in creative writing, fiction, from New York University. She has received a National Endowment for the Arts grant in poetry, as well as many other national writing awards. She splits her time between New York City and Miami Beach.
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