How to Read a Book

Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s study on avian cognition transformed the world’s understanding of animal intelligence. Her trailblazing work with African Grey parrots, particularly Alex, questions the concept that humans possess complex cognitive abilities alone and that birds have tiny brains. Pepperberg’s research, which included teaching Alex to recognize objects, colors, forms, counting, and even abstract ideas such as zero, transformed the subject of comparative psychology. Her research proved that parrots can understand complicated concepts, communicate meaningfully, and build emotional ties with people. Dr. Pepperberg wrote a book entitled Alex & Me chronicling her unique relationship with Alex, which lasted three decades before his death at age 31 (“Alex & Me: The Parrot Who Said ‘I Love You.’“ NPR, 31 Aug. 2009).

Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s work heavily impacted Monica Wood, notably in how she addresses themes of communication, intelligence, and emotional connection through Violet’s experience working in Dr. Petrov’s lab. Wood visited Pepperberg’s lab in 2019, where she met Athena and Griffin, the parrots who replaced Alex after his death. In the novel, Wood introduces Charlotte and Ollie, brilliant parrots who deeply understand language and human behavior. Wood draws inspiration from Pepperberg’s research, using the parrot as a metaphor for human communication and understanding complexities. Like Dr. Pepperberg’s findings, Violet learns that the parrots are valuable beyond their ability to count and distinguish color. Violet teaches the parrots to sing and say, “I love you,” Alex’s final words to Dr. Pepperberg before his death. The fictional Dr. Petrov warns Violet to treat the parrots like pets, but her relationship with the creatures moves far beyond their ability to entertain her. Violet reveres the birds as unique individuals, each with something special to offer the world, a lesson she is also learning about herself (Wood, Monica. How to Read a Book. Harper Collins, 2024. “A Note on the Parrots”).

The presence of parrots in the story creates a purposeful examination of the similarities between human and animal communication. The parrots in Wood’s novel, like Alex in Pepperberg’s research, act as a conduit between Violet’s inner life and her ability to convey and comprehend emotions. The birds’ interactions with Violet and others frequently reflect the intricacies of human relationships, emphasizing the possibility of connection beyond species boundaries and animals’ ability to express empathy. Sometimes, the birds fly to her, landing on her shoulder when she needs comfort. The parrots represent that communication and comprehension may cross traditional borders among animals, persons, or even within oneself. This concept mirrors the novel’s investigation of the importance of how individuals interact with one another and the world around them, especially in extending empathy and understanding.