Shafi acknowledges the melodrama of a given moment that meant so much at the time, and instead of retrospectively saying it doesn’t matter now, she validates that experience for herself in front of the reader. The effect, as the book goes on, is luminous.
Murray’s illustrations of consequential plot points further add to the fun, combining with the novel’s zany, episodic sections to create a comic-book-like feel. Humour and cultural references aside, Dirty Birds offers a remarkably cynical take on the canonical male coming-of-age story, particularly those that spur Milton’s youthful thirst for adventure.
