Drama in the novel and the backyard
https://www.audubon.org/news/amy-tans-newest-book-drama-all-about-birds
From Audubon Magazine: Tan refuses to dismiss such casualties with a writerly metaphor about the circle of life. “This is what happens,” she says. “But it doesn’t mean that I would ever use a cliche to comfort myself. I think it’s good to mourn any animal or person that dies.”
https://baynature.org/article/an-interview-with-amy-tan-wild-birds-and-backyard-journals/
“Birds afford stories that are tragic and comedic, very dramatic love stories, stories of betrayal—they’re all there. And they’re funny!