Kim Bagwill and Matt Adrian’s guide unveils a darkly humorous look into avian psychology, exposing the “insatiable id” and unsettling behaviors of common birds.
Overview of the Book’s Concept
“The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds” isn’t your typical field guide; it’s a pocket compendium revealing the hidden, often disturbing, inner lives of birds. Expect avian complaints, insults, and even “kinky confessions.”
The book challenges conventional perceptions of nature, portraying birds not as peaceful creatures, but as potentially psychotic, violent, and unstable individuals. It’s a satirical exploration of our romanticized view of the natural world.
Author and Illustrator: Kim Bagwill & Matt Adrian
Kim Bagwill crafted the witty and insightful text, carefully curating a collection of avian grievances and unsettling revelations. Matt Adrian’s illustrations bring this bizarre world to life, visually representing the birds’ troubled psyches.
Adrian’s artwork has been compiled into two volumes: “IT IS FOLLY…” and “I HAVE HEARD…”, showcasing his unique style and contributing significantly to the book’s darkly humorous tone.
The Unique Approach to Bird Identification
This guide diverges from traditional field guides, focusing not on plumage, but on identifying birds exhibiting psychosis, violence, and general instability.
Beyond Traditional Field Guides
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide abandons conventional bird identification methods. Instead of focusing on markings and songs, it delves into the darker side of avian nature. This pocket compendium presents a unique perspective, cataloging birds based on their psychological “troubles”—their complaints, insults, and even kinky confessions.
Focus on Avian “Troubles” ⎻ Psychosis, Violence, Instability
This guide fearlessly exposes the unsettling realities of bird behavior, detailing psychosis, violence, and instability. Bagwill and Adrian reveal owls as “remorseless killers,” prone to gang activity with circus clowns and goth kids. Even seemingly harmless birds harbor dark secrets and unsettling tendencies, challenging perceptions.
Key Bird Species Profiled in the Guide
The guide meticulously profiles troubled species, notably the remorseless owl and the mockingbird with its “insatiable id,” alongside other birds exhibiting unusual behaviors.
The Owl: A Remorseless Killer
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide portrays owls not as wise creatures, but as “remorseless killers” driven by thrills. Matt Adrian’s work reveals owls running with escaped circus clowns and goth kids, engaging in nocturnal mischief. Disturbingly, the guide cites a case of an owl killing a woman due to clashing outdoor furniture patterns!
Mockingbirds and Their “Insatiable Id”
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide delves into the complex psyche of mockingbirds, highlighting their “insatiable id.” Kim Bagwill’s compilation presents an array of avian complaints, insults, and even “kinky confessions” attributed to these birds. Prepare for a rude awakening if you admire them from a St. Francis birdbath!
Other Notable Troubled Birds
Beyond the mockingbird, the Guide exposes the darker side of avian nature. Owls are revealed as “remorseless killers,” even associating with escaped circus clowns and goth kids. A shocking case details an owl-inflicted fatality due to clashing outdoor furniture patterns – a truly bizarre detail!
Illustrative Style and Artwork
Matt Adrian’s illustrations vividly portray the troubled birds, compiled in two volumes: “IT IS FOLLY…” and “I HAVE HEARD…”, enhancing the guide’s unique tone.
Matt Adrian’s Illustrations
Matt Adrian’s artwork is central to the book’s appeal, bringing a distinctive and unsettling visual style to the portrayal of avian neuroses. His paintings aren’t merely depictions; they embody the birds’ “kinky confessions” and volatile personalities.
The illustrations capture the essence of the guide’s satirical commentary, presenting a darkly humorous perspective on nature and challenging conventional perceptions of these feathered creatures.
The Two Volumes of Paintings: “IT IS FOLLY…” & “I HAVE HEARD…”
Matt Adrian’s artistic vision extends beyond the guide itself, showcased in two published volumes: IT IS FOLLY TO ASSUME MY AWESOME LIES DORMANT and I HAVE HEARD MY PRAISES SUNG IN SCREAMS.
These collections offer a deeper dive into his unique style, presenting a broader range of unsettling and darkly humorous avian portraits that predate and inform the guide’s concept.
Themes and Humor in the Guide
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide employs satirical commentary, challenging human perceptions of nature with dark humor and unexpected revelations about bird behavior.
Satirical Commentary on Human Perceptions of Nature
The guide subverts idyllic views of birds, dismantling the peaceful image often associated with them. It suggests a rude awakening for those who idealize nature, particularly those using St. Francis birdbaths.
Bagwill and Adrian cleverly expose the dissonance between human expectations and the potentially unsettling realities of avian life, prompting readers to reconsider their understanding of the natural world.
Dark Humor and Unexpected Bird Behavior
The book employs dark humor by revealing shocking avian tendencies – psychosis, violence, and instability. An owl’s remorseless killing spree, even causing a human fatality over clashing furniture, exemplifies this unsettling behavior.
Adrian’s illustrations and Bagwill’s writing highlight bizarre scenarios, like owls associating with circus clowns and goth kids, creating a uniquely humorous and disturbing experience.
Publication Details and Availability
Penguin published “The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds” in June 2014, and it is currently available for purchase in very good condition.
Penguin Publication (June 2014)
Penguin brought this unique field guide to the public in June of 2014, offering readers a delightfully disturbing peek into the minds of birds. This publication marked a significant moment, blending natural history with satirical art.
The book quickly gained attention for its unconventional approach, challenging traditional bird identification guides with its focus on avian neuroses and peculiar behaviors.
Book Condition and Sales Information
Currently, copies of “The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds” are available in very good condition, often shipped within 24 hours of purchase. The seller inventory number is 6545-9780399170911.
Hardcover editions are being offered, appealing to collectors and bird enthusiasts alike, ensuring a positive buyer experience with a 100% money-back guarantee.
The Book’s Reception and Target Audience
This illustrated guide appeals to a niche audience, attracting those with a taste for dark humor and unconventional natural history perspectives.
Appeal to a Niche Audience
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide doesn’t cater to traditional birdwatchers; instead, it attracts individuals fascinated by the bizarre and unexpected side of nature. It’s a hit with those who appreciate satirical commentary and aren’t afraid of a darkly humorous take on the avian world.
Reviews and Popularity
While not a mainstream bestseller, The Mincing Mockingbird Guide has garnered a dedicated following, praised for its unique concept and Matt Adrian’s striking illustrations. Its popularity thrives within art and natural history circles, appealing to those seeking an unconventional field guide experience.
Understanding the “Troubled” Bird Mentality
The guide presents birds with surprisingly human flaws, detailing their “avian complaints, insults, threats, rants, taunts and kinky confessions.”
Avian Complaints, Insults, and Rants
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide doesn’t shy away from the darker side of bird behavior, compiling a collection of surprisingly articulate avian grievances. Expect to encounter insults, threats, and full-blown rants directly from the birds themselves.
This unique approach reveals a world where birds aren’t simply observed, but actively voice their displeasure, offering a hilariously unsettling perspective on nature.
Kinky Confessions and Unexpected Bird Thoughts
Beyond complaints, The Mincing Mockingbird Guide delves into the surprisingly scandalous inner lives of birds, presenting “kinky confessions” and unexpected thoughts. Prepare for revelations that shatter idyllic perceptions of feathered friends.
This isn’t your grandmother’s birdwatching guide; it’s a peek into a world of avian desires and eccentricities, delivered with a darkly comedic edge.
The Guide as a Pocket Compendium
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide is a conveniently sized resource, enabling quick identification of birds exhibiting psychosis, violence, or general instability in the field.
Portability and Quick Identification
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide’s compact format makes it an ideal companion for bird enthusiasts on the go. This illustrated field guide allows for rapid assessment of avian mental states, swiftly identifying species prone to unsettling behaviors. Forget peaceful birdwatching; prepare for a rude awakening regarding your backyard visitors!
Usefulness for Bird Enthusiasts
For bird lovers seeking a unique perspective, this guide is invaluable. It moves beyond traditional identification, offering insight into avian psychosis, violence, and instability. Prepare to re-evaluate your feathered friends, understanding their complaints, insults, and even kinky confessions – a truly unsettling, yet fascinating, experience.
The Owl’s Gang Affiliations
The guide reveals owls running with escaped circus clowns and goth kids, even linked to a bizarre case involving clashing outdoor furniture!
Owls, Circus Clowns, and Goth Kids
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide paints a peculiar picture: owls aren’t solitary hunters, but sometimes associate with unlikely cohorts. The book details sightings of these nocturnal predators running with escaped circus clowns and brooding goth kids, often past curfew. This unexpected social life hints at a darker, more complex avian world.
The Case of Clashing Outdoor Furniture
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide presents a startling incident: a woman was reportedly killed by an owl. The bizarre motive? Apparently, the owl took offense to clashing patterns on her outdoor furniture! This darkly humorous anecdote underscores the book’s theme of unpredictable, and potentially violent, bird behavior.
The Author’s Artistic Background
Kim Bagwill’s creative vision shaped the book’s unique tone, while Matt Adrian’s illustrations brought the troubled avian world to life with striking imagery.
Kim Bagwill’s Creative Vision
Kim Bagwill meticulously curated a collection of avian complaints, insults, and confessions, revealing a hidden, often unsettling, side to birds. She selected an array of avian “troubles,” challenging conventional perceptions of nature with a satirical and darkly humorous approach.
Influence on the Book’s Tone
Bagwill’s vision heavily influenced the book’s unique tone, blending natural history with unexpected, often kinky, avian thoughts. This approach dismantles the idyllic image of birds, presenting them as potentially psychotic, violent, or unstable creatures, prompting a rude awakening for bird enthusiasts.
The Book’s Format and Structure
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide adopts an illustrated field guide style, utilizing non-technical language to quickly identify troubled bird species for any enthusiast.
Illustrated Field Guide Style
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide mirrors traditional field guides in its organization, yet diverges dramatically in content. It’s a pocket-sized compendium designed for quick identification, but instead of focusing on plumage, it highlights avian psychosis and instability. Matt Adrian’s illustrations are integral, visually representing the birds’ troubled states and adding to the book’s unique, satirical charm.
Non-Technical Language
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide deliberately avoids complex ornithological terminology, making it accessible to a broad audience. Written in a conversational and often irreverent tone, the book presents its unsettling observations about bird behavior in a readily understandable manner. This approach enhances the satirical effect and invites readers into its peculiar world.
Money-Back Guarantee and Customer Satisfaction
A 100% money-back guarantee ensures buyer confidence, with the book shipped within 24 hours in very good condition, per the seller’s inventory.
Seller Inventory and Shipping Information
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds is currently available as a hardcover, listed under seller inventory 6545-9780399170911. This edition is noted to be in very good condition, promising a quality purchase for bird enthusiasts. Expect prompt dispatch, as the seller commits to shipping within 24 hours of your order confirmation, ensuring a swift delivery of this unique field guide.
Ensuring a Positive Buyer Experience
Your satisfaction is paramount! A 100% money-back guarantee accompanies the purchase of The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds, offering peace of mind. We prioritize a seamless transaction, from swift order processing to careful packaging and prompt shipping. We aim to deliver a delightful experience for every bird-loving, darkly humorous reader.
The Book’s Place in Contemporary Art
The Mincing Mockingbird Guide uniquely blends natural history illustration with satirical commentary, establishing itself as a distinctive contribution to contemporary bird literature and art.
Blending Art and Natural History
Matt Adrian’s illustrations are central to the book’s appeal, moving beyond traditional field guide depictions. He portrays birds not as serene creatures, but as complex, often disturbed individuals. This artistic approach merges observational natural history with a darkly comedic, psychological exploration.
The two volumes of paintings, “IT IS FOLLY…” and “I HAVE HEARD…”, showcase Adrian’s unique style, further solidifying this blend.
Unique Contribution to Bird Literature
“The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds” distinguishes itself by abandoning conventional bird identification. Instead of focusing on plumage, it delves into avian “troubles”—psychosis, violence, and instability—presenting a satirical commentary on human perceptions of nature.
This unconventional approach offers a fresh, darkly humorous perspective within bird literature.
Where to Find “The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds”
“The Mincing Mockingbird Guide” is available through online retailers and bookstores, with hardcover editions currently being sold in very good condition.
Online Retailers and Bookstores
“The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds” can be conveniently purchased from various online retailers, offering both new and used copies. Bookstores may also carry this unique title, though availability can vary. Currently, listings show the hardcover edition in very good condition, often shipped within 24 hours of order placement, ensuring a swift delivery to eager bird enthusiasts.
Availability of Hardcover Editions
Hardcover editions of “The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds” are currently available through several booksellers. Listings indicate copies are often in “very good” condition, appealing to collectors and avid readers alike. These editions provide a durable and aesthetically pleasing format for enjoying this unusual and insightful guide to avian behavior.
Further Exploration of Matt Adrian’s Work
Discover more of Matt Adrian’s captivating artwork through his published volumes, “IT IS FOLLY…” and “I HAVE HEARD…”, expanding beyond the guide.
Following the Illustrator
Matt Adrian’s distinctive illustrative style brings a unique vision to natural history, blending dark humor with detailed avian portraits. Fans captivated by “The Mincing Mockingbird Guide” can further explore his work by seeking out his published collections of paintings. These volumes, titled “IT IS FOLLY TO ASSUME MY AWESOME LIES DORMANT” and “I HAVE HEARD MY PRAISES SUNG IN SCREAMS,” offer a deeper dive into his artistic world.
Exploring Additional Paintings
Beyond the “Troubled Birds” guide, Matt Adrian’s broader body of work showcases his talent for portraying avian personalities with unsettling detail. His paintings frequently depict birds engaged in surprisingly human, and often questionable, activities. Discovering these additional pieces reveals the full scope of his darkly comedic artistic vision and unique perspective on nature.
