Ricky Bird loves making up stories for her brother Ollie almost as much as she loves him. The imaginary worlds she creates are wild and whimsical places full of unlimited possibilities.
Real life is another story. Ricky’s father has abandoned them and the family has moved to a bleak new neighbourhood. Worse still, her mother’s new boyfriend, Dan, has come with the furniture.
But Ricky Bird is a force to be reckoned with. As the mastermind of so many outlandish adventures, her imagination is her best weapon. As her father used to say, if you can spin a good yarn, you can get on in life.
The trouble is that in the best stories characters sometimes take on a life of their own and no one, not even Ricky, is able to imagine the consequences.
Beautifully written, heartbreakingly funny and deeply moving, this book has already been compared to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Lost and Found, Shuggie Bain, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and A Monster Calls. But Ricky’s story is all her own – and it will stay with you long after the last page.
The Improbable Life of Ricky Bird is an impressive third novel from Diane Connell, whose first two novels, Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar and Sherry Cracker Gets Normal, were published under the name D.J. Connell. This time around, Connell takes on the voice of a powerful twelve-going-on-thirteen-year-old protagonist who just happens to be one of the best young protagonists I’ve read in a long time – she’s clever, independent and vulnerable all at once.
Connell takes the reader right into the rough Camden housing estate in the UK where Ricky, her mum and brother Ollie have just moved. A colourful cast of characters, especially the children, brings this novel to vivid life. Ricky’s penchant for telling wild stories is so well integrated into the novel that at times it is unclear whether what is happening is real or just her imagination. Ricky developed such a vivid imagination as a coping mechanism for many difficulties she faced at a young age. This novel has heavier themes of child abuse, illness and eating disorders, as well as young Ricky beginning to question her gender identity. Sensitively handled, these themes are combined with humorous storytelling and a light touch. The Improbable Life of Ricky Bird is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers with its warmth, depth and brilliant young protagonist. This is a novel that will leave a smile on your face, as well as tears.
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