Birdy

Birdy by William Wharton. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780380472826.

Within the padded walls of a military hospital sits Birdy, utterly silent. But who is to say that hes really mad? His sub-standard army psychiatrist still hasnt caught on that his patient seems to think that hes a bird, and recruits Birdys childhood friend to try to get through to him. Out of a young mans need for escape and his consuming obsession with birds and flight, William Wharton has spun a dazzling story shot through with humour, wisdom, tenderness, tragedy and longing.