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January 19, 2026

Be More Bird by Candida Meyrick review

This contrived addition to a sub-genre popularised by H is for Hawk and Raising Hare falls to earth with a thud

Be More Bird by Candida Meyrick review

TL;DR

  • Candida Meyrick's book uses her hawk, Bird, as inspiration for 20 "life lessons".
  • Lessons are drawn from Bird's hunting preferences and defensive behaviors, urging readers to stay true to themselves and hold their ground.
  • The review criticizes the speculative anthropomorphism for overshadowing the hawk's actual physical life and biology.
  • Bird's ideal hunting weight and the consequences of weight fluctuations are detailed.
  • Meyrick's metaphysical interpretations of Bird's moult are questioned.
  • The author expresses self-doubt about her "rising phrases" and their pretentiousness.
  • The book's concept is compared to Helen Macdonald's 'H Is for Hawk' and Chloe Dalton's 'Raising Hare'.
  • The review concludes the book feels contrived and plodding.

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