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ka_cam's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very readable short story collection from a diverse array of animal perspectives. Themes of attachment, death/loss, and change. The animal perspectives we largely as if animals thought just like humans, which is less creative/novel than I was expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: War and Violence
Minor: Blood, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
What We Fed to the Manticore stands out because all its stories are told from the perspective of animals from right across the globe. Not surprisingly conservation and other environmental issues like climate change are at the heart of this book meaning it was one I was primed to enjoy. But it also explores themes like identity, loss, belonging and family. The commonalities between animals and people were undeniable. So too was was the fact that human behaviour was at responsible for the plight of each animal in this collection. Subtle? No. Necessary? Absolutely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gun violence
jaimeeslitlife's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When I was young, I would whisper to my family pets and tell them that they could talk back to me and it would be okay, I wouldn't tell their secrets. I still truly believe that animals experience the world with emotions and thoughts and dreams that humans will never fully understand.
Kolluri gives the reader a glimpse into the inner lives of animals through a series of rich, beautiful, absolutely heartbreaking short stories. Her writing is genuine and full of beautiful imagery. No words are wasted, and every story is exactly what it needs to be.
At the heart of these stories is a flood of empathy and a reminder that humanity's actions have huge and oft ignored impacts on the world we share with animals and other people. Kolluri also challenges perceptions of what is "tame" versus what is "wild" - and proposes that the response depends on who is answering the question.
What We Fed to the Manticore is a truly exceptional debut and a must-read for those who find themselves curious about the complex ways that animals interact with each other, with humans, and with the world.
Kolluri gives the reader a glimpse into the inner lives of animals through a series of rich, beautiful, absolutely heartbreaking short stories. Her writing is genuine and full of beautiful imagery. No words are wasted, and every story is exactly what it needs to be.
At the heart of these stories is a flood of empathy and a reminder that humanity's actions have huge and oft ignored impacts on the world we share with animals and other people. Kolluri also challenges perceptions of what is "tame" versus what is "wild" - and proposes that the response depends on who is answering the question.
What We Fed to the Manticore is a truly exceptional debut and a must-read for those who find themselves curious about the complex ways that animals interact with each other, with humans, and with the world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Animal death
marissab's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Many of the stories are sad. The pigeon is my favourite; its perspective is unique.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, and War
Minor: Confinement and Grief
hilaryreadsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War
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