The Folk Bird Melody

The Folk Bird Melody is a dark, mythic Southern gothic novel set in 1933 America, where violence, race, and spiritual decay intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of creatures who understand mankind better than it understands itself. Framed by the perspective of three birds—a Mourning Dove, a Blue Jay, and a Red Cardinal—the novel treats history as a ritual unfolding, one in which animals bear witness while men act out ancient sins.

The story begins with a wealthy, young Philadelphian named Mo...