Other Birds

Includes a brand new bonus story of how Mallow Island came to be!

The New York Times Bestseller


From the acclaimed author of Garden Spells comes an enchanting tale of lost souls, lonely strangers, secrets that shape us, and how the right flock can guide you home.

Down a narrow alley in the small coastal town of Mallow Island, South Carolina, lies a stunning cobblestone building comprised of five apartments. It’s called The Dellawisp and it is named after the tiny turquoise birds who, alongside its human tenants, inhabit an air of magical secrecy.

When Zoey Hennessey comes to claim her deceased mother’s apartment at The Dellawisp, she meets her quirky, enigmatic neighbors including a girl on the run, a grieving chef whose comfort food does not comfort him, two estranged middle-aged sisters, and three ghosts. Each with their own story. Each with their own longings. Each whose ending isn’t yet written.

When one of her new neighbors dies under odd circumstances the night Zoey arrives, she is thrust into the mystery of The Dellawisp, which involves missing pages from a legendary writer whose work might be hidden there. She soon discovers that many unfinished stories permeate the place, and the people around her are in as much need of healing from wrongs of the past as she is. To find their way they have to learn how to trust each other, confront their deepest fears, and let go of what haunts them.

Delightful and atmospheric, Other Birds is filled with magical realism and moments of pure love that won’t let you go. Sarah Addison Allen shows us that between the real and the imaginary, there are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways.

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Published Sep 5, 2023

352 pages

Average rating: 7.47

365 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

AbbeyLileTaylor
Aug 29, 2023
8/10 stars
Quick Take: As always, Sarah Addison Allen's story had me feeling every emotion, and at the end, happy, smiling and feeling warm inside.

From day one, I have ADORED everything that SAA has written. I know that she had some very sad family issues over the years that kept her from writing her much beloved books. So when Other Birds came out, I was over the moon!

While this may not be one of her best, it was still filled with her signature storytelling, love of family, and magic.

Solid 4.5 Stars
T Forkner
Jul 10, 2023
10/10 stars
I've loved Sarah Addison Allen since her debut novel, Garden Spells, came out. I've read all her stories and waited patiently for another novel to come out, and I'm happy to say that Other Birds, set in South Carolina is just as lovely as her earlier novel. Filled with magic and happiness, this was a perfect novel to start the year with.
Mhoovs21
May 12, 2025
8/10 stars
This wasn't my most favorite, but I really did like it. The ending was lovely. ❤️
katietopp
Jan 01, 2025
6/10 stars
Not my favorite SAA read. It was sweet but it just sort of ended. I feel like there are too many loose ends.
Jlaborie
Jul 11, 2024
2.33

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