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ketchup_chugger_al's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I too would buy a Russian fox for $18,000 if it wasn’t horrifically inhumane
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Dementia, Grief, Child death, Infidelity, Cursing, Alcohol, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Terminal illness, and Cancer
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gore, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, War, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
unluckycat13's review
I just straight give up on this one. Normally I read a lot further to give it a chance, but I got the strong vibe what I was getting was what I would get for the next 300 pages. I knew I was signing on for minor quirk and I assumed this would probably be like a more bittersweeet Dickens novel-- Which I feel is accurate. I was not prepared for the level of quirk modern authors feel obligated to bring into their work though. I'm also not fond of greek choruses, the characters, or the writing style.
At one point a paragraph goes on so long it takes up half the page. It begins with the description of how she picked up a dog and ends with a dead ghost giving her looks a rating on a scale of 10. I love unconventional writing but I don't love badly constructed paragraphs that segue into casual sexism for a character quirk. I don't even know what that adds. That's part of my issue with "cozy" things, they often feel so completely unexamined in their baggage.
I picked it up for something different than what I normally read, but this felt a great deal like many things I've read and simply don't care for.
At one point a paragraph goes on so long it takes up half the page. It begins with the description of how she picked up a dog and ends with a dead ghost giving her looks a rating on a scale of 10. I love unconventional writing but I don't love badly constructed paragraphs that segue into casual sexism for a character quirk. I don't even know what that adds. That's part of my issue with "cozy" things, they often feel so completely unexamined in their baggage.
I picked it up for something different than what I normally read, but this felt a great deal like many things I've read and simply don't care for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
galexy_brain's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Never has a book made me cry in one paragraph and laugh in the next. Wish there was more payoff and explanation for why E.H.B. was able to/decided to haunt Cliff Starling in particular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Chronic illness, Child death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Drug use
Minor: Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
harmony412's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Cancer and Mental illness
julied's review
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Death, Mental illness, and Addiction
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt
rockshaw22's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Chronic illness, and Death
mssaelens's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Dementia, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
serendipitysbooks's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Unlikely Animals is a really quirky read, something I typically stay away from because those books tend to be more miss than hit for me. But I saw a lot of trusted sources enjoy this one and I’m glad I gave it a go.
It centres on the Starling family, particularly daughter Emma who has returned home to help care for her father Clive, who is suffering from a terminal brain illness which is giving him dementia like symptoms and hallucinations. It manages to be a warm picture of a flawed but loving family and the small town community they live in. It covers some tough topics - addiction, infidelity, terminal illness - but still feels light hearted and charming. Harnett manages to combine some seemingly disparate elements - a naturalist who shared his house with wild animals, a class of somewhat precocious fifth graders, a hilarious theatre performance, a missing woman, a pet fox, healing hands, and more - into a satisfying and cohesive story. And it’s all narrated by ghosts from the local cemetery!
One way to get the most out of your reading life is to find what you like and seek it out. Other times it pays to take a chance on something a bit different. This time was one of those times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Addiction, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Kidnapping
amibo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
rowanhill's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Unlikely Animals has been popping up in my recommendations for a while now and I am so glad I finally took the plunge! This quirky book is a conceptual menagerie that will make you feel all of the emotions…ALL OF THEM. Though the characters in this story are dealing with tragedy in its many forms, their journey shows how life in all of its complexity still moves forward. It is funny, sad, clever and everything in between. This is a must read for anyone who loves literary fiction and doesn’t mind some speculative elements tossed in.
The small town of Everton, New Hampshire rarely sees miracles. That is, not until Emma Starling was born with a gift for healing. With her eyes set on becoming a doctor and a desire to leave her complicated life in New Hampshire behind, Emma left for California with no intention of coming back. But when Emma’s father, Clive, has been diagnosed with a terminal, degenerative brain disease that is causing him to hallucinate and strike up a close friendship with the ghost of naturalist Ernest Harold Baynes. Things haven’t gone so well for Emma either and what should have been a triumphant return is overshadowed by a crushing truth: the gift of healing is gone. To top it all off, Emma’s best friend from High School has gone missing. But despite all of this hardship, Emma still has the fine folk of Maple Street Cemetery cheering her on.
The story is told through a Greek chorus of ghosts residing in Maple Street Cemetery. Being omniscient of all things in Everton, the mystery that was Emma’s life in California is very quickly revealed. Usually, it would bother me how quickly the information is divulged, but there is so much more to this story that it is almost a necessity. Despite having an omniscient narrator, Hartnett has still found a way to allow the story to gradually unfold and keep the reader guessing. The gossipy ghosts also have such a charming and sincere narrative voice that it is easy to get sucked in and feel like part of their group. I could see how the narrative style could be off-putting to some readers, but I quickly grew to like it.
What really makes this a stand out novel for me was that it felt true in a way that’s hard to express. Though faced with tragedy and struggle, the characters in this novel still feel like they are really living. There are still moments of joy, triumph, and comedy even while Clive’s condition deteriorates and Emma struggles to find her place after losing something that has always defined her and made her special. The affirmation and support the ghosts give to all of these experiences is a really beautiful and masterful touch that rounds out the whole experience.
The small town of Everton, New Hampshire rarely sees miracles. That is, not until Emma Starling was born with a gift for healing. With her eyes set on becoming a doctor and a desire to leave her complicated life in New Hampshire behind, Emma left for California with no intention of coming back. But when Emma’s father, Clive, has been diagnosed with a terminal, degenerative brain disease that is causing him to hallucinate and strike up a close friendship with the ghost of naturalist Ernest Harold Baynes. Things haven’t gone so well for Emma either and what should have been a triumphant return is overshadowed by a crushing truth: the gift of healing is gone. To top it all off, Emma’s best friend from High School has gone missing. But despite all of this hardship, Emma still has the fine folk of Maple Street Cemetery cheering her on.
The story is told through a Greek chorus of ghosts residing in Maple Street Cemetery. Being omniscient of all things in Everton, the mystery that was Emma’s life in California is very quickly revealed. Usually, it would bother me how quickly the information is divulged, but there is so much more to this story that it is almost a necessity. Despite having an omniscient narrator, Hartnett has still found a way to allow the story to gradually unfold and keep the reader guessing. The gossipy ghosts also have such a charming and sincere narrative voice that it is easy to get sucked in and feel like part of their group. I could see how the narrative style could be off-putting to some readers, but I quickly grew to like it.
What really makes this a stand out novel for me was that it felt true in a way that’s hard to express. Though faced with tragedy and struggle, the characters in this novel still feel like they are really living. There are still moments of joy, triumph, and comedy even while Clive’s condition deteriorates and Emma struggles to find her place after losing something that has always defined her and made her special. The affirmation and support the ghosts give to all of these experiences is a really beautiful and masterful touch that rounds out the whole experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, and Death
Minor: Kidnapping, Child death, Medical content, and Toxic relationship