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Karen's Reviews > Unlikely Animals
Unlikely Animals
by
by
Karen's review
bookshelves: beautiful, book-discussion-perfect, captivating, compelling, complex, conversational, dog-love, easy-to-read, enchanting, engaging, excellent, heart-felt, loved-it, magical, makes-you-think, page-turner, quirky, sweet, thought-provoking, thoughtful, uplifting, whimsical
Jan 27, 2024
bookshelves: beautiful, book-discussion-perfect, captivating, compelling, complex, conversational, dog-love, easy-to-read, enchanting, engaging, excellent, heart-felt, loved-it, magical, makes-you-think, page-turner, quirky, sweet, thought-provoking, thoughtful, uplifting, whimsical
After I posted my review, “Rabbit Cake” by this author, you my GR friends said to me…
You must read this book.
So…
I ordered it from my local library and did exactly that. Read it.
So…
In its uniqueness, I found myself wowed by the author’s chosen narrators. An unlikely, but creatively interesting group of ghosts who inhabit the Everton Maple Street Cemetery.
How…
Can we not be impressed with this magical element of ghosts providing a play-by-play perspective of what is happening to its current town characters?...
Especially…
A point of view from such interesting “past” residents?
Somehow…
As readers, we were guided through some of the comings and goings of the living neighbors who struggled with addiction, were near dying themselves, and some just trying to find their niche in life.
And…
Speaking of addiction. The author handled the opioid crisis with delicacy, hope and tenderness.
This…
Is truly a story about family and caretaking, and the crises of small rural towns.
Which…
Felt raw and credible, even amongst the magical elements included in the story.
The author created an atmosphere where relationships and priorities evolved…
And…
At the same time, enhanced the experience for readers as we watched the characters navigate their view of life and death…
As well as…
Gain an appreciation for what really matters in the end.
It…
Has humor. Heartbreak. Laugh-out-loud moments.
And…
A tremendous love and respect for animals.
Compelling. Captivating. Uniquely original.
The author shares in her “Author’s Notes on her research” the following…
“I hope I’ve done right…, and I hope I’ve rendered the characters as complete and complicated people. This book is about rooting for everyone, and about loving a place. And I hope it’s clear that I deeply love the place.”
Yes, Ms. Hartnett, it is very clear. Thank you.
Lastly…
Speaking of the “Author’s notes…” I recommend you read them, too.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Rabbit Cake review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You must read this book.
So…
I ordered it from my local library and did exactly that. Read it.
So…
In its uniqueness, I found myself wowed by the author’s chosen narrators. An unlikely, but creatively interesting group of ghosts who inhabit the Everton Maple Street Cemetery.
How…
Can we not be impressed with this magical element of ghosts providing a play-by-play perspective of what is happening to its current town characters?...
Especially…
A point of view from such interesting “past” residents?
Somehow…
As readers, we were guided through some of the comings and goings of the living neighbors who struggled with addiction, were near dying themselves, and some just trying to find their niche in life.
And…
Speaking of addiction. The author handled the opioid crisis with delicacy, hope and tenderness.
This…
Is truly a story about family and caretaking, and the crises of small rural towns.
Which…
Felt raw and credible, even amongst the magical elements included in the story.
The author created an atmosphere where relationships and priorities evolved…
And…
At the same time, enhanced the experience for readers as we watched the characters navigate their view of life and death…
As well as…
Gain an appreciation for what really matters in the end.
It…
Has humor. Heartbreak. Laugh-out-loud moments.
And…
A tremendous love and respect for animals.
Compelling. Captivating. Uniquely original.
The author shares in her “Author’s Notes on her research” the following…
“I hope I’ve done right…, and I hope I’ve rendered the characters as complete and complicated people. This book is about rooting for everyone, and about loving a place. And I hope it’s clear that I deeply love the place.”
Yes, Ms. Hartnett, it is very clear. Thank you.
Lastly…
Speaking of the “Author’s notes…” I recommend you read them, too.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Rabbit Cake review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Quotes Karen Liked
“That’s why we like living with animals so much; they exhibit their joy so outwardly, remind us how to be better alive.”
― Unlikely Animals
― Unlikely Animals
“People talk a lot about first loves, or the love of your life, but people don’t say as much about the friend of your life.”
― Unlikely Animals
― Unlikely Animals
Reading Progress
January 18, 2024
–
Started Reading
January 18, 2024
– Shelved
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
beautiful
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
book-discussion-perfect
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
captivating
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
compelling
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
complex
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
conversational
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
dog-love
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
easy-to-read
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
enchanting
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
engaging
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
excellent
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
heart-felt
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
loved-it
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
magical
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
makes-you-think
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
page-turner
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
quirky
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
sweet
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
thought-provoking
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
thoughtful
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
uplifting
January 27, 2024
– Shelved as:
whimsical
January 27, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-10 of 10 (10 new)
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message 1:
by
MarilynW
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 27, 2024 10:06AM
This was such an interesting book, wonderful review, Karen!
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MarilynW wrote: "This was such an interesting book, wonderful review, Karen!"I agree with you Marilyn. Thank you. ☺️
Christina wrote: "Lovely review, Karen!"Thank you Christina. 🙂
So glad that you loved this one, too, Karen! I also read her 'Rabbit Cake' years before I read this one, but it was only after I read this one that I remembered that! I am so looking forward to whatever she writes next!
Cheri wrote: "So glad that you loved this one, too, Karen! I also read her 'Rabbit Cake' years before I read this one, but it was only after I read this one that I remembered that! I am so looking forward to wha..."Me too, Cheri! 🙂
Great review and I reminder I need to read Rabbit Cake.
Liz wrote: "Great review and I reminder I need to read Rabbit Cake."Thank you Liz. I think you will enjoy Rabbit Cake, too. 🙂
Wonderful review, Karen!😊 This is a good one!
Sujoya(theoverbookedbibliophile)- Lots of catching wrote: "Wonderful review, Karen!😊 This is a good one!"Thank you Sujoya. yes, it is! 🙂
