The Chicken Chronicles: A Memoir

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This book isn't a 'how to' on keeping chickens, it is a warm memoir chronicling her journey and the way in which keeping chickens led her to a fuller understanding of herself. Taking the Arrow out of the Heart. The Alice Walker Collection: The Temple of My Familiar. By the Light of My Father's Smile. The Way Forward is with a Broken Heart. In Search of Our Mother's Gardens. Living by the Word.

Now is the Time to Open Your Heart. The Third Life of Grange Copeland. The Stories in Our Genes. My Life with Wagner.

Book review: The Chicken Chronicles: A Memoir

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Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself caring for a mini-flock of "designer hens," nor would I have envisioned writing a review for a memoir I had recently read describing someone else's experiences with these most intriguing creatures. Alice Walker's recent Chicken Chronicles not only kept me entranced and delighted well into the wee hours but validated my fascination with these often misjudged and undervalued birds that give so much more than they receive.

Like Alice, I have learned the zen-like value of being still with them in the mornings while enjoying my first cup of coffee; the thrill of finding that first warm egg; their daily comical antics; and the genuine sorrow of losing a favorite "girl" to mysterious causes. Chickens have a good deal to teach us humans if we will only pay attention and learn.

Alice Walker knows there is much more to a chicken than eggs for breakfast and legs for dinner. And, for those whose life styles cannot accommodate such "exotic pets," Chicken Chronicles offers a fascinating glimpse into the human heart's capacity to love and learn. I love Alice as much as I love chickens so how could it miss? Having a backyard flock is the best thing I have done for myself in years and I think there is no question that Alice Walker would agree.

She articulates so many of the feelings I've had--the birds engage you on a level that I wouldn't have expected. They are pets, they behave like pets, and yet there remains a wildness that's lost in other domesticated critters.

They pull you into nature, into a oneness with the natural world. As you can see from the subtitle, Walker cherishes her birds on a whole other level--a level unique and precious for her. Sharing company with her flock took her back to her childhood experience of life with chickens.

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That kicked open a door that had closed on memory and allowed her to heal in ways she hadn't realized she was quite so broken. As memory was restored she was given the gift of herself, her mama, and the world that would shape her foundation. One person found this helpful. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. My friend Carol and I had an ephipany several years ago during which we learned about chickens.

The experience was moving and enlightening and among other things included the ritual "dust bath" which Ms. Walker so eloquently describes in her marvelous Chicken Chronicles. This book is about so much more than chickens. It weaves its magical way through life, love, history and many esoteric themes. She has always been a favorite of mine, but this little book has captured my heart.

I am an avid animal lover and fought along side a top animal rights group to change the living standards of the poor abused chickens that we eat after a horrible life they are subjected to.

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I like meat and will continue to eat chickens but I do not patronize the big businesses that torture their birds with a life of horror till its time to eat them just for the sake of profit. I pay more and purchase from farms that are humane to their animals.

This story gives an insight into the feelings that animals have. We do not give them credit for having the same feelings as humans do. They experience hate, fear, pain, anguish, joy, love, jealousy, etc It was hard for me to read but written incredibly well. There was joy and sadness in this heart rendering story of the little tykes.

I enjoyed reading the Chicken Chronicles. I appreciated the amusing, real-life snapshots of living with chickens and what it means to be a responsible flock-tender. Each "letter" or mini-essay is a stand-alone snapshot, which makes the book easy to pick up and put down though I read it over the weekend. The one thing it is not is a memoir, though. So, I think the book title is a little misleading. At least according to Alice Walker who coined the term. The chickens teach her a great deal about the nature of Nature and the place of humans and chickens in the pecking order of life.

The only annoyance was the repetitive reference to herself as Mommy. One person found this helpful 2 people found this helpful. I love Alice Walker.

Her intelligence, wisdom and compassion are always present in her writing. In the Chicken Chronicles, her wry humor, kindness and love for the chickens she shares her life with provide the context for her profound, as well as silly, musings. I, too am a lover of chickens, believing them to be beings every bit as sentient as I. I love her light, sweet relationship with backyard chickens. Alice writes as if to her hens, and we are let in on the conversation. I got 16 one day old chicks sent to our post office, then began building a chicken house and coop while they peeped in a pen inside the house.

Set up chairs, had popcorn for the guests, and the parade of chicks were the hit of the week. So the I had time to read Chronicles. Many of Alice's insights and observations meshed exactly with our chicken experiences. See all 72 reviews.

Most recent customer reviews. Published 1 year ago. Alice is a great writer. Published on May 22, Published on May 2, Published on January 29, Published on August 4, Published on June 10, Published on June 9, Published on April 14,

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