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interlibraryloan's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
what a weird little book!
drifting from a story about work and money and generation differences (kinda) into one about becoming a fish and environmentalism, the prose in this one is WILD and entirely intangible (in a good, experimental way! like those tiktok videos of people trying to scoop water slimes) and it hurt my head a little
drifting from a story about work and money and generation differences (kinda) into one about becoming a fish and environmentalism, the prose in this one is WILD and entirely intangible (in a good, experimental way! like those tiktok videos of people trying to scoop water slimes) and it hurt my head a little
abbeyreads11's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wmbogart's review
Didn’t really land for me, unfortunately. The first half of the novel is an exploration of the dynamics within a workplace, with allusions and hints to a larger backstory that is initially withheld from the reader. I found the terse prose in this half difficult to engage with.
Then there’s a huge formal break where the tone shifts. It's interesting enough, but the novel’s commentary on the modern situation (w/r/t waste, labor, ecology, old/new money, fashion) seems obvious and is spelled out plainly throughout. It’s a quick read, and I can appreciate the spirit of experimentation, but I wasn’t able to get much out of it.
Then there’s a huge formal break where the tone shifts. It's interesting enough, but the novel’s commentary on the modern situation (w/r/t waste, labor, ecology, old/new money, fashion) seems obvious and is spelled out plainly throughout. It’s a quick read, and I can appreciate the spirit of experimentation, but I wasn’t able to get much out of it.
samranger's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
karentipsy's review against another edition
4.0
It is very weird. Story about people working together (tension, age related misunderstandings, fashion) then random spin off to something totally unrelated.
Edit: (several weeks later) I feel like I have been able to understand this book some more after spending some time mulling it over. I suppose the mark of a good story is one that stays with you and makes you think about it even when you have finished it. I think the author is using the 'new animals' term literally. But is it literal? Is it using new animals as a metaphor for what society is doing to our mental health? This will require more thought.
Edit: (several weeks later) I feel like I have been able to understand this book some more after spending some time mulling it over. I suppose the mark of a good story is one that stays with you and makes you think about it even when you have finished it. I think the author is using the 'new animals' term literally. But is it literal? Is it using new animals as a metaphor for what society is doing to our mental health? This will require more thought.
the_llawma's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jackgormley7's review against another edition
5.0
Wow wow wow wow wow. It takes a LOT for fiction to genuinely blow my mind and COMPLETELY occupy my thoughts, yet here it is. The New Animals starts off as a really good piece of literary fiction, that is five stars by itself, but it then melts away into a phenomenal piece of experimentation. It’s claustrophobic, prescient, and truly the most genius and strange book I’ve read in a very very long time. An unassuming hidden gem.
piripiw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
I realllly did not enjoy reading the first 2/3 of this book. No shade on the writing, in fact credit on the writing - conjuring the claustrophobia & tension thrumming through these lives & relationships & through late stage capitalist decay in general...
The last third of the book has a completely different style & mood. It's upsetting and exalted and I gobbled it down greedily instead of wincing through it as I had been.
Although it's shocking, the overall structure feels carefully assembled and related to the characters own creative work - a particular haircut is a clue. But it feels like I'd have to reread and have more company with this book to truly appreciate this aspect.
I've seen other people get mad about Pip's work not getting the attention it deserves. This is very true & my own annoyance about it is quite selfish - it feels like there's so much to digest & delight in & it would make much more sense to do that with more people.
The last third of the book has a completely different style & mood. It's upsetting and exalted and I gobbled it down greedily instead of wincing through it as I had been.
Although it's shocking, the overall structure feels carefully assembled and related to the characters own creative work - a particular haircut is a clue. But it feels like I'd have to reread and have more company with this book to truly appreciate this aspect.
I've seen other people get mad about Pip's work not getting the attention it deserves. This is very true & my own annoyance about it is quite selfish - it feels like there's so much to digest & delight in & it would make much more sense to do that with more people.
zacharyngow's review against another edition
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5