The following version of this book was used to write the guide: Jones, Gayl. The Birdcatcher. Beacon Press, 2022.

Gayl Jones's novel The Birdcatcher is written from both Amanda Wordlaw's and Catherine Shuger's first person points of view. Embracing formal inventiveness, the novel also employs both the past and present tenses and subverts conventional notions of the linear plot line. The following summary relies upon the present tense and a streamlined mode of explanation.

Feeling trapped by her life and circumstances, Amanda Wordlaw decides to quit writing erotica and pursue a career as a travel writer. Shortly thereafter, she plans a trip to Brazil, from which she does not plan on returning. In turn, she abandons her husband Lantis and her young daughter Panda. When Lantis begs her for an explanation, Amanda offers him nothing.

After leaving the States, Amanda travels to places including Brazil and Madagascar. While in Brazil, Amanda meets and starts sleeping with a man named Ensinanco. During this time, she also develops a relationship with Ensinanco's mother Encobierta. Encobierta confides in Amanda. She thinks that her son's rare skin condition, which has turned the lower half of his body white while his top half remains Black, is a sign of his healing powers. She is therefore distraught that Ensinanco has decided to abandon his destiny as a healer.

When Amanda receives a letter from her friend Catherine Shuger, inviting her to stay in Ibiza with her and her husband Ernest, Amanda decides to leave Brazil. Encobierta urges her to stay, insisting that it is good for a woman to settle down. Terrified of remaining in one place or one relationship for long, Amanda heads to Spain.

While in Ibiza, Amanda works on her new writing project. The project is in fact the mirror image of Jones's novel. Amanda is observing her friends' marital dynamic and recording it on the page. Ever since she met Catherine and Ernest in Detroit some time prior to the narrative present, Amanda has been fascinated by them. Catherine suffers from a mental atypicality, which primarily manifests as sporadic bouts of violence against her husband. Although she repeatedly tries to kill Ernest, Ernest does not leave Catherine. Instead, he repeatedly institutionalizes his wife, taking her out again once he thinks she has recovered.

Throughout Amanda's time with her friends, intimacy grows between her and Ernest. Indeed, she is particularly curious about Ernest because he seems like an ideal man. She longs for closeness with him, but is afraid of this intimacy, as it would be a betrayal of Catherine's trust. In her dreams, however, Amanda often imagines herself in sexual encounters with Ernest.

Once Catherine and Ernest decide to return to the States, Amanda agrees to go with them. Not long later, however, Amanda reveals her plans to remain behind in Spain. Some time after the Shugers leave, Catherine writes to Amanda, accusing her of exploiting her and Ernest for her artistic amusement. She is also convinced that Amanda stole her therapy journal and demands it back. She goes on to inform Amanda that since returning to the States, she met Amanda's husband and daughter. Both were eager to know about Amanda's whereabouts and wellbeing.