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The drawing of Vincent during his brief time in a seminary captures him looking outward, as if he would rather be anywhere else. True to all of his sketches, Donna is struck by how much feeling and emotion he conveys with just a few strokes of a

The theme of music pervades The Bird That Sang in Color. The story begins and ends with music, and throughout the novel, a variety of instruments and albums set the tone for key moments. But the musicality in this book goes beyond literal

Vincent’s sketchbook serves as a kind of pictorial autobiography, each drawing capturing the simple yet rich life he led. Throughout much of his life, Donna encouraged him to pursue a more conventional career, believing that external success was

In Chapter Two of The Bird That Sang in Color, Donna watches Vincent playing a dulcimer in his room while listening to one of his favorite bands, The Incredible String Band. The instrument’s delicate, intricate tones mirror Vincent’s own

In Chapter Three of The Bird That Sang in Color, Donna challenges Vincent’s decision to accept a baking job, insisting that he could achieve so much more. About a week later, she tastes the homemade bread he has baked and marvels at “how four