Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl

Wesley the Owl flew right into my heart!

I have always been very fond of animals. I picked up this book after reading about it here on B&N. I am so glad I did! This book was a fantastic combination of all sorts of things. Here are some words that come to mind as I attempt to describe this book: memoir, touching, inspiring, science, history, education, comical, thought-provoking, spiritual, sad, a love story. You will laugh and cry and get grossed out and feel so many different emotions and learn about relationships and animals all at the same time. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend reading it.

11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

A Book I Fell in Love with by Surprise

My daughter bought this book for me and my first thought was, "Uh-oh... she is giving me another animal story that will just make me feel sad." So I put off reading it for a while. Finally I picked it up, and then I could not stop reading. I do love animals and have cared for many. But this book was not sad until the very end when, of course, Wesley had lived a very long and happy life and it was time for him to go. Wesley lasted 19 years, which is longer than any owl in captivity. First, I could not believe that Stacy ended up giving 19 years of life to make her owl her priority. Wesley demanded that of her and she gave her time and life with him willingly. In the process, she had the most unique experiences. In Wesley's eyes and heart, she became his owl girlfriend as well as his mother and caregiver. I could not believe how much the two were able to communicate. It's just amazing to discover the owl's thought process. His antics do make you laugh. I don't read books more than once, but I may make an exception for this one. It was the most unique, enchanting, enlightening and loving story about a girl and her owl. I keep telling all my friends and family members about Wesley because I just can't help it!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Wesley The Owl-Five Stars Plus++++

Wesley The Owl is a phenominal book! The author combines scientific information on barn owls, while telling a about her eighteen year love story with her remarkable pet-Wesley the owl. You will laugh out loud, learn, (more than you want to know about mice!)and even cry at times. I cannot say enough about the authors love and devotion for Wesley, who gave her copious amounts of owl-love in return. He is so intelligent, with an emotional range that defies the preconceived notions we have about animals. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all animal lovers. You will feel better about after having read it, and it will put a smile on your face many many times.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Wesley the Owl, A Wonderful Read

I was scanning the book shelves in the Science section for no particular reason when my eyes settled on "Wesley The Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl And His Girl." I picked it up and and began to read. Twenty-three minutes later I pulled my nose out of the book with the full realization that this was one I had to buy - in hard back!

The author carries the reader along as she relives for you the complex and intimate relationship she and Wesley build over his lifetime. In the course she educates the reader about the barn owl and owls in general. The scientific/biological information is very good and presented in an intersting manner, but I found myself in tears laughing as I read about Wesley's antics and then in sorrow as I read about his death. The author's writing style tends to wander in a couple of spots, but this just was a book I couldn't and didn't want to put down. I just wish she'd write a children's version of this story. There are many things in it that young readers would enjoy learning about this marvelous creature.

I highly recommend this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A book for scientists and non-scientists alike!

"A love story about a girl and her owl"
Every biologists dream, college biology student Stacey O' Brian is offered an unbelievable volunteer job, the once in a lifetime chance to "adopt" and care for a new born baby barn owl in her home. A wonderful true story and flied with comical anecdotes that is bound to keep anyone entertained. Scientists and non-scientists alike will rave about this book.

This book is truly moving. It is a drama, a love story, an informative text, it is just about everything. It made me cry tears of sadness, and of joy. It helped me open my eyes about the capacities of nonhuman species, especially birds, I never though there were. I never imagined the amazing traits owls could have. This book actually changed the course of my life, I will now study birds along with mammals.

The way Stacey describes the antics of her feathered friend, both scientifically and motherly. Her attachment to "her" owl also sets this book apart from others. She speaks in a scientific manor, but also reminds us that animals are our fellow beings and not just subjects. Stacey tells a great story, and keeps you captivated because of her crafty way of telling it. You actually learn from this book and have a story to follow as well, keeping it fun.

A story behind a story, tidbits of Stacey's personal life weaved in with the Wesley's hilarious antics. Animal behavior and storytelling come together. 19 years of memories and scientific notes with Wesley the barn owl. I really love this book. An amazing, fantastic, highly recommendable book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Animal lovers will love Wesley

As a raptor rehabilitation volunteer, I was looking for books on raptors and happened across this gem. "Wesley the Owl" is for every animal lover who has known that, deep inside, there is often as much wisdom as love bestowed upon us by our companions and it's not until the end that we realize how much better we are because of their presence. I laughed out loud, was amazed and bewildered by the antics of a barn owl, and cried in the end (it is a true story afterall, so there has to be a bittersweet end). I have had the blessing of knowing such magical creatures as owls and Wesley is one I feel like I know intimately thanks to Stacey O'Brien.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

HATED IT!

Read it ONLY with a strong stomach. I thought it would be a 'cute' story about this little owl that Stacey saved but it was far from that. I finally had to stop reading it when she described in detail, how Wesley masturbated on her arm regularly and how the man in her department had worms inside his body noticably crawling around under his skin in the name of research!

I'm 70 years old and have done a lot of reading in my life - I even grew up in a Cemetery so can handle 'gross' - but this was way out of my realm of enjoyment.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Easy Read

I received this as a gift late on December 30th and had completed the entire book by mid day on the January 1st. It is easy to read and follow and I love that Stacey is not only compassionate about animals but also a biologist (I too am a biologist) and therefore her facts and statements about owls are very trustworthy. While many may yearn for their own chance to share their lives with a magnificent bird of prey, Stacey keeps those feelings in check by outlining the remarkable amount of responsibility it was to raise such a pet. Wesley's personality and antics will definitely keep you hooked.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Disappointing

After reading the entire book, I understand that this was a part of the healing process for the author; however, I have never felt SO disappointed in a book as this. The author fills most of the pages talking about herself and exploits and does not really delve into her relationship with Wesley, except on rare occasions. I walked away feeling that Wesley was nothing more to her than an ordinary lamp fixture would be. I wanted to fall in love with Wesley rather than feel resentment towards the author for being a blonde bimbo. She throws in scientific facts about other creatures rather than spending time talking about Wesley. I regret that she had a disease that impacted her life but I was ready to scream if I had to read one more sentence about how she was a blonde model, singer, musician etc, etc. I wanted to get to know Wesley. I feel cheated by the author, her publisher and editor.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Moving, interesting, touching, fascinating, and funny.

I laughed out loud during some of the sections of this book. It is such a lovely story. It shows that owls and other creatures have emotions and feelings just like we do. I never wanted this book to end.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a loving memoir of a girl and her owl

Wesley the Owl, The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl is a heartfelt memoir about a young scientist, Stacey O¿Brien and the four-day-old barn owl she adopts and spends almost 20 years with. Wesley teaches Stacey ¿The Way of the Owl¿, which is how Stacey describes his personality. Wesley couldn¿t tolerate lies, made sure she kept her promises and loved her unconditionally. The book is part biology text, with fascinating tidbits about owls, their habits and habitats, part humorous essay with stories delineating the differences between poop, sh*t and scat in scientist parlance, but mostly, all heart. Anyone who has ever loved an animal can tell you that they can communicate with us, something that science hasn¿t always agreed with. I loved the interaction between owl and human, and the depth that interaction had. The book doesn¿t make you want to rush right out and adopt an owl, thank goodness, since this isn¿t exactly legal anymore. But it makes you feel a deeper appreciation of the animals in your own lives. It brought back to me the endings of my much loved pets time with me, and made me dread the future when our sweet little Cookie mutt is old. Yet it also makes us aware of how much our animals enrich our lives. If we chose to share our lives with an animal, we have to understand that, with a few exceptions, we¿ll eventually lose them to age and death. But we do it anyway, we love our critters, dogs, cats, lizards, spiders, turtles, fish, snakes, birds, hamsters, rats, mice¿.all of them. If we can treat our ¿pets¿ as what they really are to us, loving companions with complex emotions, we¿ll all be better people for it. And if we could all live ¿The Way of the Owl¿, we¿d have a better world for it. This terrific book is available for purchase today, August 19th.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

If you are a birder this will be interesting to you

I love owls and birds and this story was recommended to me because of that. This is "true grit" nature so if you are squeamish, not a read for you. This book is a true story of a devoted human to her injured and cannot be released in the wild owl. Reading this removed my wish to rescue an owl as it takes an enormous amount of dedication and time to help in such a situation. Interesting. I like non-fiction stories that read like a story.

I love Wesley! So cute!

This is a great book for bird lovers; specifically owl lovers! I love barn owls, all because of Wesley! He is so cute and adorable!

Inspiring

This book was absolutely beautiful. I found it rich in detail and description, and cute and witty in its details about the incredible bird that changed Stacey O'Brien's outlook on life. The close relationship between these different species was amazing. I compliment the author on her wonderful ability to express herself. I am 11 years old, and have loved owls all my life, so this book was perfect for me, a true story with facts and personality to it. Rarely have I loved and been so enthusiastic about a nonfiction story, but here I am, recommending the book 'Wesley the Owl' to my parents, friends, and anyone who has an open mind and a desire to laugh, cry, and feel admiration for Wesley and Stacey. I am astounded at the detail in the 186 page book. It was as if Wesley was right next to me the entire time. This book has inspired me-- to write, to read, and to remember that the best teacher is experience.

Wonderful Book

I enjoyed every chapter--could hardly put the book down. I collect owls in every shape and form, so I was interested in reading the book when my daughter recommened it. It teaches us about life too.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

I love this book! It is one of the cutest, funniest books I ever read. Wesley is adorable and hilarious. I love owls so much! I am obsessed with them. They are sooooooo cute and this book is adorable also. It has great facts in it. You learn a lot while reading a funny, interesting, adorable book!

amazing read

I feel in love with this book and never put it down, I cried and laughed! This is one of my favorite books that I will cherish and have in my library forever. I have this in paperback and in Nook form. I need this book where ever I go.

Amazing book!

This is an awesome book for any animal lover =)

cool!!!!!

i dont have any idea if this is cool but i think so because i read the sample.

Beautiful, Absolutely Perfect

A touching story of, well, an owl and his girl! Beautifully written, with many unique facts many would not know about owls, this made for both an insightful and a heart-warming read. The facts and histories that the author applied to this memoir really helped the reader to understand and better enjoy the rich life of the charming little barn owl that she portrays. Don't allow the facts and information to deter you, it makes for a highly enjoyable and worth-while read in the end. Humorous, insightful, and heartfelt, this book makes a grand read! Perfect for animal lovers!!!!