The Painted Bird

A friend of my mom gave me a book as a sixth grader...this book has stuck in my mind, title long forgotten. I happened to be shopping with my mom and his young (15 year-old) daughter and I mentioned the book. Loving daughter asked me what the book was about but I refused to inform her in the presence of my young children because the scene in the book I remember is not appropriate for young ears!!! (probably was not appropriate for my 6th grade mind either but the guy didn't have a child then much less a daughter so who can blame him?!) What I remember is the main character having a....moment...with a farmer's wife. The farmer came home and discovered the situation prompting leading the farmer to spoon the main character's eyes out...with a spoon (hence spoon his eyes out). Mom's friend's loving daughter called him even though he was sleeping (because he works nights) just to let me ask him what the title was (!...now she wants to read it...!). He said he is now embarrassed for letting me read it at such a young age but I don't mind because I want to read it again. After all he also gave me the Lord of the Flies and a book on Kadafi if I remember correctly. I always did love a good read (especially as a 6th grader :P )!

...Oh, the name of the farmer vs. main character book was The Painted Bird...