Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Owls Do Cry
Literary Fiction· New Zealand

Owls Do Cry

by Janet Frame
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
#26,455of 99,626 books
Published 1957English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

When Janet Frame published Owls Do Cry in 1957, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. Owls Do Cry is Janet Frame's first novel and is considered one of her most important works. The novel is a poignant exploration of mental illness and family dynamics, drawing from Frame's own experiences. It is celebrated for its poetic language and innovative narrative style, which broke new ground in New Zealand literature and helped Frame gain international recognition as a major literary figure. Themes of mental illness, family, society run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorJanet Frame
Published1957
Country of Origin🇳🇿 New Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781844084626
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇳🇿 New Zealand

This book is part of New Zealand's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from New Zealand →

Editorial Assessment

Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1957 in New Zealand, it engages with mental illness, family, society, isolation in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Owls Do Cry lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of mental illness, family, society, isolation is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Owls Do Cry reflects Janet Frame's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with New Zealand's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
20090
✍️
About the Author
Janet Frame
New Zealand
View Author →

Janet Frame is a New Zealand author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Tribe Manager
The Leadership Companion
The Tribe Manager
Leading People the Way Evolution Intended
Manage with human nature, you get loyalty. Manage against it, you get quiet quitting.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Owls Do Cry about?

Owls Do Cry is Janet Frame's first novel and is considered one of her most important works. The novel is a poignant exploration of mental illness and family dynamics, drawing from Frame's own experiences. It is celebrated for its poetic language and innovative narrative style, which broke new ground in New Zealand literature and helped Frame gain international recognition as a major literary figure.

Who wrote Owls Do Cry?

Owls Do Cry was written by Janet Frame, from New Zealand. First published in 1957.

What awards has Owls Do Cry won?

Owls Do Cry has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Owls Do Cry worth reading?

Owls Do Cry is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in mental illness, family, society.

Where can I buy Owls Do Cry?

You can buy Owls Do Cry on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Owls Do Cry?

Owls Do Cry is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Owls Do Cry from?

Owls Do Cry originates from New Zealand's literary tradition. Explore more books from New Zealand on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇳🇿Books from New Zealand🇳🇿 New Zealand literature📅1950s BooksPublished in the 1950s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time