Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
It is the late '70s in Manhattan and God is dead. A group of people come together to explore the void left behind. New York mongrels of the spiritual, as brash and defiant as their chaotic, bankrupt city, they embark on what seems like a journey described in the 12th century Persian poem that gives this powerful novel its title. Among them are the shy and sweet-natured Bobby, a gifted cartoonist and the group's mascot; Maisie, the acid-tongued rich girl who is fighting a two-front war against mental instability and Hodgkin's disease; the narrator Louie, a very nearly accidental pilgrim torn between his friends and the purpose that has engulfed him; and their austere leader Joe, a saint to some, a pervert to others. An ordinary, half-finished loft in downtown Manhattan is the scene of the group's last, harrowing efforts to make sense of the words of the ancient Persian poem that seem to mock them: "Thirty birds set out on a perilous journey to reach the Mighty Simurgh, whose name means thirty birds." Is it self-discovery they seek, or oblivion? As thoroughly as any in recent fiction, the characters of The Conference of the Birds take the measure of a de-stabilized age, and wring from it not only tragedy, but dignity.
The Conference of the Birds: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This literary adult novel explores existential themes through characters dealing with mental illness, terminal disease, and spiritual crisis in 1970s New York. Mature themes of mortality, faith, and psychological struggles are central.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, moderate sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include death, grief, and mental illness (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adult readers interested in philosophical explorations of faith and meaning will appreciate this character-driven spiritual journey.