Providence of A Sparrow: Lessons from a Life Gone to the Birds

Chester, Chris

ISBN 10: 0874807425 / ISBN 13: 9780874807424

Published by University of Utah Press, 2002

About this Item

First printing with full number line down to 1. Inscribed by author (Chris Chester) on title page: "Sharon, Thanks so much for attending this reading. All best wishes," then signed by author "Huntsville, UT 10/7/02". Otherwise, inside is clean and unmarked. Dust jacket has shelf wear, soiling, and small tears and abrasions, especially at base of spine. Dust jacket has indentations, as if used beneath as a backing/writing surface. See photos.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1725461941890

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Providence of A Sparrow: Lessons from a Life Gone to the Birds
• Publisher: University of Utah Press
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0874807425
• ISBN 13: 9780874807424
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Signed: Inscribed by Author
• Seller catalogs:
  • First Edition
  • Signed

About this title

Synopsis

In the years since Chris Chester and his wife Rebecca rescued a featherless baby bird—a creature with all the initial appeal of "a testicle with a beak" —they’ve had plenty of time to consider and reconsider their eccentric lifestyle. The upstairs floor of their home in Portland has become an indoor aviary. There is B’s room, which he shares with a varying number of finches; the canary room; and the room housing the three subsequent foundling sparrows they’ve adopted: Baby, Pee Wee, and Seven. There are screen doors mounted in the doorways, congruent with "the Appalachian-themed decor." They’ve learned sparrow games like "War Bird," "Love Bird," and "Hit the Cap." Since the birds’ bedtime rituals alone take an hour or more each night, the couple’s social life has suffered a decline.

But along the way the Chesters have also learned a great deal about the natural history of birds, and even more about that maligned avian species, the House Sparrow. And with this knowledge has come gratitude. For it is through B and the rest of this unorthodox family that Chester has discovered a renewed capacity for joy and wonder and an expanded realization of the consciousness and intelligence in living things. A book filled with acerb wit, frequent references to literature both high and low, and genuine reverence for the life around him, Providence of a Sparrow is Chris Chester’s beautiful meditation on life with B.

About the Author

Chris Chester is an electronics technician and writer. He lives in Portland, Oregon.