The Bird That Sang in Color
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The Bird That Sang in Color Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Grace Mattioli (Author, Narrator, Publisher)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 165 ratings
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Part family drama and part self-actualization story, this is about Donna Greco, who in her teens, subscribes to a conventional view of success in life and pushes her freewheeling, artistic brother, Vincent, to do the same. However, he remains single, childless, and subsists in cramped apartments. She harbors guilt for her supposed failure to ensure his happiness, until she discovers a book of sketches he made of his life, which allows her to see his internal joy and discover the secret to living free.

Thought-provoking, humorous, and filled with unforgettable characters, this book invites listeners to ponder what pictures they will have of themselves by the end of their lives.

"A refreshing family portrait about interpersonal evolution...presented with affection, humor, and insight...an inspiring slice of life blend of philosophy, psychology, and transformation that draws readers into a warm story and examines the wellsprings of creative force and future legacies...evocative, uplifting." (Midwest Book Review)

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 18 minutes
  2. Author
    Grace Mattioli
  3. Narrator
    Grace Mattioli
  4. Audible release date
    Feb. 4 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Grace Mattioli
  7. ASIN
    B08VYWFS74
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 18 minutes
Author Grace Mattioli
Narrator Grace Mattioli
Audible.ca Release Date February 04 2021
Publisher Grace Mattioli
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08VYWFS74
Best Sellers Rank #261,005 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#21,634 in Family Saga
#29,205 in Family Life
#33,520 in Genre Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
165 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

S. J. Main
4.0 out of 5 stars good fictional story
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2021
The bird that sang in color is the story of Donna. She has a particular image of what a perfect life looks like and imposes this thought on her brother Vincent. As she works hard to provide these things, she fails, and that guilt trips her until she finds a book of sketches he’s made of his life, allowing her to discover what truly makes him happy.

The dynamic of the family and the connection between donna and Vincent were beautiful. The author expresses her view about pictures and how one can use them to signify their life. Drawings are not photographing. They mean more, and for this reason, the author gets inspired to write this book. I found this to be very appealing to me as her interpretation truly reflected on the storyline.
The message is clear. Like the bird singing in color on the cover image of the book, the author believes that we shouldn’t just blend into the background of society’s convention. The literature was well written and enjoyable to read.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read fictional and inspirational stories.
2 people found this helpful
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Henry Roi
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting family issues
Reviewed in Canada on June 14, 2021
If you can relate to the never ending drama—or entertainment—of a dysfunctional family, this is a good one for you. The story is about Donna, from her early years to old age, as she battles through a once-happy marriage that is destroyed by her spouse's alcoholism. And that's just the beginning.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Iris J. Arenson-Fuller, PCC
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, Rich Characters
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021
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I was delighted to be re-introduced to the characters I had met in the author’s previous work. This time they have been further developed and enriched, so that I felt I truly knew and understood them. We learn about everyone from Donna’s viewpoint in the third volume of the family trilogy. In this tale of several generations of a New Jersey Italian family and their love, foibles, quirks and struggles, I recognized some of the familiar warmth and some family interactions I remember from my youth in Brooklyn. I am not of Italian background, but had many close friends who were when I grew up in a very ethnically diverse neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. We were constantly in and out of each other’s homes and my father always joked that we were “honorary Italians by affection and association”. This is a fine novel, worth reading. I was very drawn in by the characters and by Ms. Mattioli’s excellent storytelling. I look forward to seeing more from her.—Iris J. Arenson-Fuller, Author/Poet, Life & Loss Transformation/Life Reinvention Coach.
One person found this helpful
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Celia Ritchie
4.0 out of 5 stars A family saga
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2023
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A saga about an American Italian Catholic family spanning some fifty or so years told through the eyes of the author, so no plot as such, but still a pleasant, interesting story.
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Beekeeper's Wife
5.0 out of 5 stars It gets better and better
Reviewed in India on June 17, 2021
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It is only after the 40% mark that The Bird that Sang in Color begins to wrap you up. As it is the story of Vincent an artist and musician, there is a lot of art and music in it, which is always appreciated, and there is food, perhaps too much food. Though there are instances where it feels as if the conversations could be deeper, especially the ones with Vincent, the book exudes a warm glow.
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beverley
4.0 out of 5 stars A book for jaded souls
Reviewed in Australia on August 24, 2021
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If you are at a point in your life where the future seems uncertain, then this is the book for you.
This is not a book for lovers of plot and big narrative spirals. This is for the readers who cherish finely drawn characters, for the thinkers, the lovers of family, relationships, the creatives and believers in the music of life that we don’t always see, but which is often staring us in the face.
It’s likely you’ll need a box of tissues, but it’s also entirely possible you will find yourself awakening to the possibilities of living your own better life.
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Kindle Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2021
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This story is about a big brother named Vincent, who wanted to go to art school, but a headstrong father refused to accept anything creative, often saying that he would just be “another starving artist.” Told in the POV of the sister (Donna,) story follows a girl’s coming-of-age story encompassing her family and spanning the years from 1970 to 2012. Books, movies, songs, and philosophy are colorfully immersed in a delightful tale.

Over the years, Vincent didn’t amount to much with a philosophy degree; he was broke and living under his dad’s roof. Donna always knew that he was smart and talented and could do anything he wanted. Instead, he was proving their dad’s bogus prophecy. While Donna was living the great life she intended, Vincent was at the bottom of the barrel. If he would just clean himself up and stop wasting time on movies, he’d have everything—good job, nice house, a family. We see all this through the eyes of Donna as she goes through childhood, college, dating, pregnancy, and a rocky marriage.

Story was easy-going with a nice narrative. Full of drama and life. An interesting read.
3 people found this helpful
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