Barnes & NobleWhy Peacocks? - An Unlikely Search for Meaning in the World's Most Magnificent Bird by Sean Flynn

Entertaining story of peacock ownership!

I’ve always been fascinated and mesmerized by peacocks so was instantly attracted to this book title. It never occurred to me that anyone had peacocks as pets, as I’d only ever seen them at botanic gardens, running wild in nearby Palos Verdes, or on Hugh Hefner’s estate on Girls Next Door. Coincidentally, the peacocks in Palos Verdes are mentioned in this book, but I digress. This book is perfect in describing how one ends up with peacocks as pets, and how peacocks and other pets shape our emotional and psychological existence, both as individuals and in families. This book is well crafted and flows seamlessly from true tales of peafowl ownership to historical and biological references and wonderings. I was so fascinated by some of the historical details that I googled them to see pictures (example, Whistler’s Peacock Room). I laughed hysterically at the Martha Stewart references and easily followed the author’s train of thought, even when it leaned to absurd musings. I cried when he described the loss of pets, and his children and wife’s reactions. All of it was very real. He is neither pretentious nor mundane, and I enjoyed this book much more than anticipated. I don’t often read non fiction memoirs and I’m glad I strayed from the norm for this. It’s well worth the change of pace. If you, too, love peacocks, zoology, memoirs, do-it-yourself stories, mixed with historical references then I highly recommend this book. I’m grateful to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read th