Steven Lovatt

This is a joyful book about the pandemic. Yes, really. It's about that man-made silence which descended on the Northern hemisphere last March, when lockdowns and birdsong began simultaneously. And we all noticed, even those who'd never knowingly listened to a bird in their entire lives. Lovatt had enjoyed birds as a boy, but it took the pandemic to re-kindle his interest. He's good as describing he birds he loves - the sounds, songs and croaks they make. He's good at weaving poetry, folk lore, science and myth to look at a history of birdsong in the life of man. It's been charmingly illustrated too, by Katie Marland. Perhaps it's not a great book, but it's a good book, and an evocative one, and perfect if you want to read something timely, yet uplifting too.… (meer)