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The Fairy Wren Kindle Edition

by Ashley Capes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 163 ratings
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From the moment a fairy wren drops his lost wedding ring at his feet, Paul realises there's more magic to the world than he thought...

 

When Paul Fischer receives a strange phone call asking for help, from a woman who might be his estranged wife Rachel, he's drawn into a mysterious search that threatens not only his struggling bookstore, but long-buried dreams too.

 

Unfortunately, the only help comes from a shady best friend, an Italian runaway and a strange blue fairy wren that seems to be trying to tell him something - yet the further he follows the clues it leaves the less sense the world seems to make. Is he on the verge of a magical, beautiful discovery or at the point of total disaster?

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    171 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Close-Up Books
  5. Publication date
    June 2, 2020
  6. File size
    575 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I loved being immersed in Australia and [the] descriptive narration propelled me there without having to book a flight."
N.N. Light's Book Heaven

"Paul Fischer's journey is a peculiar yet compelling one... I felt the need to know how the story worked out and how the characters would come through."
Space & Sorcery Reviews

"The Fairy Wren is an enjoyable read, which keeps you guessing until the end."
Magic Realism Reviews

From the Author

Ebook now also available

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08B34PC17
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Close-Up Books (June 2, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 2, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 575 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 171 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 163 ratings

About the author

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Ashley Capes

Ashley Capes

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Ashley is an Australian novelist, poet & teacher. You might have read his epic fantasy 'The Bone Mask Trilogy' or maybe you're familiar with his other work, the fantasy/adventure series 'The Book of Never.' Either way, you can read more about his books and get access to giveaways and free books via his newsletter below :)

Ashley occasionally dabbles in film, is addicted to 80s cartoon shows and Studio Ghibli films, and finds himself constantly awed by the simple beauty of haiku. He is also convinced that 'Magnum PI' is one of the greatest TV shows ever.

Sign up to Ashley's newsletter for free books and news:

http://www.subscribepage.com/b5w1k0

Find out about Ashley's fiction:

http://www.cityofmasks.com/

Check out Ashley's poetry:

http://www.ashleycapes.com/

And follow him on twitter right here:

@Ash_Capes

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
163 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Manie Kilian
4.0 out of 5 stars When magic comes.knocking.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Paul Fischer's life was spiraling completely out of control. His ex wife has a court order prohibiting him contacting or coming within a 100 yards of her.
His book business has been loosing customers for about a year now and is on the brink of being foreclosed. His landlord wants the bookshop closed within twenty days and have Paul locked up for assault.
His friend, Jon, wants to involve him in an insurance scam.
Then there is the Italian waif, Alessandra, that obviously is surviving on the street and the odd meal he provides her.
In short, Paul is in dire straits. Until a blue fairy wren drops his ex wife's marriage ring at his feet.
This seems almost a paranormal thriller the way this little wren keeps popping up in Paul's life at the oddest of times. We all know the adage of when opportunity comes knocking on your door. In Paul's case it certainly seems like magic having come knocking. The denouement at the end is simply magical and had me gasping in surprise. Lovely story. Enjoy!
One person found this helpful
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Elizabeth Archer
5.0 out of 5 stars Following a Fairy Wren Leads to Magical Places
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2014
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Some of my favorite stories begin with someone having the worst weeks of his life. When Paul Fischer is introduced in "The Fairy Wren," things aren't going too well in his world. All he needs is a miracle. In the best fiction, that miracle doesn't happen in the way the reader might expect, or even want. Those unexpected, beautiful gifts that change everything make the ordinary extraordinary, and by the last page, the story of Paul Fischer has become a magical fable that tugs at your heart.

The directions writer Ashley Capes takes in his story keep the reader surprised and intrigued, and he never opts for the predictable or saccharine. There is nothing predictable about this novel at all. Around every corner, new and surprising challenges come Paul's way.

This is so much more than a mystery, although there is a mystery. Like the namesake fairy wren, the story strikes a delicate balance of fairy tale and gritty true to life experience in a way that really defies normal classifications of mystery or romance. Once I became hooked in the plot, I couldn't put the book down. Like Paul, I had to follow the fairy wren, wherever it was leading me.

When a gifted poet writes prose, there is always something beautiful about the language, something in the descriptions that linger long after you finish the novel."The Fairy Wren" is full of wonderful descriptions, and I kept wishing someone would make a film that captured the world the word pictures built in my head. All of the characters became real to me.

I highly recommend this novel. You are in for a rare pleasure.
15 people found this helpful
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Nora Gainey
3.0 out of 5 stars Generous 3 stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2015
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Fairy Wren was a book I longed to love but I could not get past the main character's self pity. It was not that his wife was divorcing him or that he was losing his business but that he seemed to feel it was all due him. Perhaps that is the way one should feel but it lacked humility and grace. He may have grown up but how grown up can one be if one can be talked into driving a nice car off a cliff for the insurance money. His immaturity was just phenomenal. there was no closure nor compassion to the sequence about the fellow in the wheelchair.

In the end he has a girl and a job and goes back to spending money and going to parties. He does show appreciation for his family and friends. I just wanted to like the book but I could not find a reason to like it.
18 people found this helpful
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amazoncustomer
4.0 out of 5 stars Artful magic realism
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2015
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This is a much darker read than first appears. Paul Fischer alternately warms and exasperates as he attempts to navigate what appear to be fairly mundane small town battles between husbands and wives, small business owners and big-shot developers. But the mundane escalates, becoming a complex mess of secrets, abuse, and violence--a mess created for the most part by badly behaved men, including Paul himself.

Honestly, the middle was a bit touch and go for me, as was Paul's disastrous friendship with Jon, but overall there was a lot to like here. Artful magic realism with moments of downright weird, The Fairy Wren gathers itself carefully before hurtling to its conclusion--I read the final third of the book in one sitting. The author's style is distinctive and frequently poetic, and there's something unmistakably Australian in the voice. A vivid, encouraging new release from a good friend.
3 people found this helpful
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Erena Gray
5.0 out of 5 stars A fairy tale, magical, suspense bundle!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2015
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From the very start Paul Fischer’s life seemed to be spiraling down into a familiar pit of divorce, financial issues, and depression. But, life seems to know when we have reached our limit. That is when sparks of magic ignite our life and leads us down a different and not always easy path. Paul has gotten his spark of magic through the most wondrous characters. His journey to the happily ever after wasn’t always so happy, but the ever after came to his determined heart through courage, trust, and a little well-intended defiance.
Ashley Capes builds suspense with never-ending obstacles, creates wonder with unpredictable solutions, and embraces compassion with a true heart-felt story of an unknown love.
This story cannot be classified as just a fantasy, fairy tale, or suspense…it encompasses characteristics of multiple genres. It combines life’s trials with a mystery and finally sneaks in some fairy tale. I was captivated by every twist and turn. I, like others, couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this book. It will pleasure you in ways you never thought at first glance.
6 people found this helpful
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Ruthanne Taylor
3.0 out of 5 stars Not my favorite
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018
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The story went in so many different directions & only a couple were satisfactorily tied up. The main character was very whiney and not very appealing to me. All in all, I was disappointed.
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Carole-Anne Chambers
2.0 out of 5 stars Confused about Fairy Wren.
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2018
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I'm not sure how to express myself properly with regards to this book. I felt confused from beginning to end and left wanting more answers... I think a bit more depth was needed. But that's just my 2 cents.
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K. Hosley
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your time
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2019
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Ever have one of those weird dreams where everything seems to wander around in a pattern but doesn't make sense and then you wake up but it didn't really have an ending?
That's pretty much how this book was written.
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Top reviews from other countries

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GeoEng51
5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical and gritty - what a combination!
Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
I loved this story - combining so many disparate elements that shouldn't work together, but did! There's a little magic, a little craziness, and a lot of real life and grit. You don't get all teary-eyed at the end, but with all the unsolved problems (real life, remember), it still leaves you feeling upbeat and hopeful.
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Ulla Fleu
5.0 out of 5 stars Lieblingsbuch
Reviewed in Germany on March 21, 2015
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Seit "Timeline" von Michael Crichton hat mich kein Buch so fasziniert. Ich lese es gerade zum zweiten Mal. Das Taschenbuch ist von guter Qualität.

Ashley Capes schreibt sehr lebendig und schildert das Leben eines Buchhändlers, bei dem einiges schief läuft. Er schreibt kurz und präzise. Lange Beschreibungen finde ich bei manchen Autoren ermüdend und meiner Vorstellung hilft es oft nicht viel. Bei "The Fairy Wren" habe ich dagegen jede Szene bildhaft vor Augen. Ich genieße wirklich jede einzelne Seite. Das Buch ist nie langweilig oder langatmig. Beim ersten Lesen habe ich gegen Ende befürchtet, der Schluß könne enttäuschend sein, aber auch der gefällt mir gut.

Der kleine Vogel ist eine etwas mystische Gestalt, so etwas mag ich, aber es ist sicherlich Geschmackssache. Die Personen der Geschichte sind alle gut charakterisiert, der sprachliche Ausdruck ist schön und ich denke man merkt, daß der Autor ein Sprachlehrer ist. Das Buch bietet richtig gute Unterhaltung und ich konnte meine englischen Sprachkenntnisse damit verbessern.
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Veronica
4.0 out of 5 stars A magical ride
Reviewed in Australia on December 7, 2015
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Ashley Capes has written a story as beautiful as the cover.

Have you ever had a time in your life when everything just seems to be going wrong and you can barely keep your head above water? That is exactly how Paul’s life is going. His wife has left him and his bookshop is going under. On top of that his rent is about to be increased. Where can he possibly go from here? A friend offers him a financial proposition. But Paul isn’t that low that he will do something illegal – or is he?

Capes has drawn such everyday, ordinary people I feel like they are real people I can empathise with. I can visualise the seaside town of Stony Bay with its strip of shops and friendly shopkeepers. It’s very easy to be drawn into Paul’s world and want things to improve for him. Paul however is guided by his emotions and makes a lot of crazy decisions that get him deeper and deeper into trouble.

The only thing that let the story down for me was towards the end it started to become a bit disconnected and had too many separate elements all packed into the one story.

The mentions of books and music throughout the story are an added treat for book and music lovers.

My opinion is read it, go along for the ride; you will never guess where the story will take you.
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Kim Chesson
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, lyrical and soul stirring
Reviewed in Australia on March 13, 2017
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I read The Fairy Wren in an afternoon, because once I started I could not stop. The author weaves words into a beautiful fabric, without any floweriness or flourish; a beautiful and seamless blending of the ordinary and the magical. His characters are engaging, and the plot never falters. I will be searching out his other titles with great anticipation.
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Debra
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in Australia on January 23, 2017
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This is an action-packed yet delicately-written story. Ashley Capes, as a poet, handles words with care and puts them together beautifully. Paul is a fantastic character - and my heart broke for him a little at the end. A heart-wrenching but entertaining read. I loved it.
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