Bird Suit

Mythological creatures and strange relationships shape this beguiling debut novel from Hegele (after the collection The Pump). Georgia Jackson was born in the vacation town of Port Peter, Ontario, where unwed mothers like hers are expected to give their babies up to the Birds, feminine sirens who dwell on the cliffs above the lake. Georgia’s mother initially left her with the Birds, but changed her mind. Now, in 2008, 22-year-old Georgia has entered into a sexual relationship with Anglican priest Arlo Bloom, whose wife, Felicity, has given her consent. Felicity is a rare birth daughter of one of the Birds and was in love with Arlo’s twin sister until her suicide. Felicity only stays with the violently abusive Arlo to protect their son, Isaiah, a tender, poetry-loving 20-year-old. Georgia and Isaiah’s friendship during her affair with Arlo leads to a shocking and tragic episode, which lays the groundwork for a final act set in 2019 that sees Georgia living a new life as a successful playwright in Toronto, having buried her traumatic memories because “what ceases to exist could not be painful.” Hegele’s distinctive style includes bulleted lists and wry observations (“Grief is a merciless matchmaker”). This unusual tale takes flight thanks to the beauty of its prose. Agent: Zoe-Aline Howard, Howland Literary. (May)