How to make a bird is a journey of discovery, both for its key character and for the reader.  When Manon Clarkeson, in her mother’s fancy red dress, jumps on the early train from Castlemaine to Melbourne, she is running away from problems and disasters. What she finds, over the course of the next day, is that she is also running towards the answers. 

This is an intensely emotional book as the 17 year old Manon tries to make sense of the life in which she finds herself.  Some of her situation is her own doing, other parts are caused by her family, all of it is seen through her eyes – fanciful, biased, hopeful and teenage. 

Her quiet, country vet father and flamboyant actress mother are estranged, her sensible boyfriend does not offer the same excitement as lead singers in pub bands.  Castlemaine and Harcourt are not exactly Melbourne and Paris. 

Martine Murray has crafted Manon’s journey as the gradual untangling of an intricate knot.  Some of the details of her personal and family story are revealed as Manon discovers them through the events of the day; others she knows, but the reader only finds them out as Manon is forced to admit what she wants to ignore.  

While we only have the words that Manon thinks and says, we can also read between the lines.  She makes mistakes and poor choices and the reader can see disasters looming.  But we can also see her maturing as she faces the issues.  We make the journey with her. 

How to make a bird is a very moving story.  Martine Murray has created an immediate and very real voice in Manon.  Her journey through places she really does not want to visit may not be what she planned, but it is an education for her and for us.

Review by David Beagley

© 2004 David Beagley