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The Chicken Chronicles

Sitting with the Angels Who Have Returned with My Memories
by Alice Walker
The Chicken Chronicles: Sitting with the Angels Who Have Returned with My Memories: Glorious, Rufus, Gertrude Stein, Splendor, Hortensia, Agnes of God, the Gladyses, & Babe; A Memoir. New Pr., dist. by Perseus. May 2011. c.208p. illus. ISBN 9781595586452. $21.95. LIT
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In this, her 11th title, Walker invites her readers into her personal spaces to share in the joy and wonder her chickens engender and to witness the trials collectively endured. Nearly entirely vegetarian, Walker began her chicken coop to fulfill not so much practical needs as sentimental ones, as a hearkening back to the rural Georgia of her childhood. As an adult, enjoying the still-warm eggs her individually named chicken companions provide her leads to heartfelt, thought-provoking ruminations on sustenance from perspectives of both giver and receiver. Through 37 snug chapters, many of which originally appeared on the author's blog, Walker and her chicken "Girls" lead readers through explorations of nature and nurture and the intricacies of the intersections between this traditionally opposed dyad. One can readily conjure Walker as she comes inside from the chicken yard and writes down her thoughts and impressions.
VERDICT Walker's use of the third-person diminutive "Mommy" to self-identify may not be to all tastes and lends to an overall tone here that may not appeal to some readers. Recommended for Walker's fans, readers interested in naturalism or spiritualism, YA readers, and enthusiasts of raising chickens.
Reviewed by Jewell Anderson, Armstrong Atlantic State Univ. Lib., Savannah , Apr 15, 2011
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