Reviews

The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller

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lindseyzank's review against another edition

2.5

I don't know where my whole review went.... this book was flat for me, I didn't care about the octopus, and the whole Revisit concept was a poorly executed way to give us narrative flashbacks. I did feel something in the last 10 pages of this book but it took me a long damn time to get there.

lenooox's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

3.5

kathrynwardle's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

esquared's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

novelvisits's review against another edition

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5.0

Let me start this review with the book’s author, Claire Fuller. She is nothing less than brilliant. If you have not yet read her, it’s time. Fuller has written five books and I’ve read them all. Of those, only one was a little iffy for me, but the other four more than made up for it. Her last novel,

eshalliday's review against another edition

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4.0

I have been sitting on this for a week or more, trying to word the review that says what I really think of this book. And I just can't put it into words how good 'The Memory of Animals' is.

So, here are some small thoughts. This is my first 'pandemic novel', but if that's putting you off - I can say that this is not a pandemic novel. This is soulful and heartfelt writing. Fuller has, again, delivered a resonant and beautifully crafted novel populated by emotionally intelligent, complex characters.

There are touches of such delicacy here; there are notes that could have reduced me to tears. I could take or leave the ending, but the majority of 'The Memory of Animals' spoke to me of a unique and original authorial vision and that vision is fully followed through.

I found the style and format just right for the main character's trajectory. The backdrop of a world in the throes of a global pandemic is not employed frivolously; rather, glancing back from the novel's conclusion upon its development, it really seems like the only set-up there could have been for Fuller's world-building in this particular book.

And, by the by, the audiobook is pitch perfectly performed by Genevieve Gaunt.