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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Often narrated by many of it’s now deceased residents, this book can only be described as “quirky”. Enter Emma, a daughter with healing hands lying about attending med school, a brother that is a recovering drug addict, a father dying of a degenerative brain disease who has hallucinations and purchases a fox online, a high strung mother that cannot forgive her cheating husband, a handsome former high school heart throb, a missing best friend, a small town drug kingpin and a 5th grade classroom filled with offbeat children, then throw in real life naturalist Mr Baynes for historical purposes and you have an unexpected, charmingly humorous story.
There are hard topics of real life that are presented in a lighthearted way that prevents the story from being too heavy yet shows how family and friends support and love each other. I recommend this for anyone who is looking for a quick escape from reality and an uplifting fun read.
There are hard topics of real life that are presented in a lighthearted way that prevents the story from being too heavy yet shows how family and friends support and love each other. I recommend this for anyone who is looking for a quick escape from reality and an uplifting fun read.
emotional
funny
informative
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:
Complicated
This is an unusual little book, but if you embrace its quirks, it unfolds into something truly tender, poignant, and often surprisingly funny.
At its heart is a touch of magical realism, with one of the primary narrators being the collective voices of the town’s local graveyard. These long-departed residents have an omniscient view of the town’s happenings, though they remain powerless to alter its course. Among the ghosts is Harold Baynes, a long-deceased naturalist who has formed an unlikely friendship with Clive Starling.
Clive, meanwhile, is clearly unwell—his rapidly declining health has cost him his job at the local university (he saw too many rabbits), his place in a cover band (he shouted "rats" in a crowded bar), and his marriage is hanging by a thread. His daughter, Emma, returns home to care for him, stepping into a role as a long-term substitute teacher for a class of fifth graders. Also in the picture is his son, Auggie, a recovering addict in a town deeply affected by the opioid crisis.
The novel brims with interconnected storylines—far too many to summarize without spoiling some of the joy of discovery. At times, it teeters on the edge of feeling overstuffed—too whimsical, too many characters, too many tangled threads. But somehow, through Hartnett’s lyrical prose, everything weaves together in ways that feel both wild and magical, as well as deeply meaningful.
As Clive’s condition worsens, his family is forced to navigate the complexities of love, loss, and what it truly means to embrace both life and death. Woven throughout the narrative are excerpts from Harold Baynes’ writings on his experiences with the animals he cared for—made all the more fascinating by Hartnett’s note on how much of Harold’s story is based in reality.
This novel is intricate and deeply human, exploring the rawness of emotion, the bonds of family, and the strange beauty of existence. A wonderful, thought-provoking read.
At its heart is a touch of magical realism, with one of the primary narrators being the collective voices of the town’s local graveyard. These long-departed residents have an omniscient view of the town’s happenings, though they remain powerless to alter its course. Among the ghosts is Harold Baynes, a long-deceased naturalist who has formed an unlikely friendship with Clive Starling.
Clive, meanwhile, is clearly unwell—his rapidly declining health has cost him his job at the local university (he saw too many rabbits), his place in a cover band (he shouted "rats" in a crowded bar), and his marriage is hanging by a thread. His daughter, Emma, returns home to care for him, stepping into a role as a long-term substitute teacher for a class of fifth graders. Also in the picture is his son, Auggie, a recovering addict in a town deeply affected by the opioid crisis.
The novel brims with interconnected storylines—far too many to summarize without spoiling some of the joy of discovery. At times, it teeters on the edge of feeling overstuffed—too whimsical, too many characters, too many tangled threads. But somehow, through Hartnett’s lyrical prose, everything weaves together in ways that feel both wild and magical, as well as deeply meaningful.
As Clive’s condition worsens, his family is forced to navigate the complexities of love, loss, and what it truly means to embrace both life and death. Woven throughout the narrative are excerpts from Harold Baynes’ writings on his experiences with the animals he cared for—made all the more fascinating by Hartnett’s note on how much of Harold’s story is based in reality.
This novel is intricate and deeply human, exploring the rawness of emotion, the bonds of family, and the strange beauty of existence. A wonderful, thought-provoking read.
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-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
“That’s why we love living with animal so much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive.”
I loved every second I spent reading this book. I’m not sure it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea — it’s very quirky — but what a unique and heartfelt story about how we handle loss and grief alongside all the other wonderful things we experience in life. A re-read for sure.
I loved every second I spent reading this book. I’m not sure it’ll be everyone’s cup of tea — it’s very quirky — but what a unique and heartfelt story about how we handle loss and grief alongside all the other wonderful things we experience in life. A re-read for sure.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Found family, mystery, mental illness, small town
This was a phenomenal read. I'm so glad it was brought to my attention. It made for a fantastic buddy read too. Lots of quotes/scenes/characters to discuss and relate to our own lives. Why the half star deduction? There was 1 character whose story arch didn't match the overall feel for me. Its a personal thing.
"Flick your headlights for them, all night long, every hour. Let them know you're always there in whatever way makes sense to you."
"'You're not too messed up at all. You're just as messed up as you should be.',"
This was a phenomenal read. I'm so glad it was brought to my attention. It made for a fantastic buddy read too. Lots of quotes/scenes/characters to discuss and relate to our own lives. Why the half star deduction? There was 1 character whose story arch didn't match the overall feel for me. Its a personal thing.
"Flick your headlights for them, all night long, every hour. Let them know you're always there in whatever way makes sense to you."
"'You're not too messed up at all. You're just as messed up as you should be.',"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Terminal illness
Minor: Kidnapping, Suicide attempt
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
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
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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