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There are currently 26 member reviews
for Bad Animals
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Celeste W. (Washington, DC)
Add "Bad Animals" to Your Reading List
I could not put this book down! Bad Animals by Sarah Braunstein was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved the unpredictability of the story; just when I thought I had figured out where we were going next, the book made an unexpected turn (with one exception). And this happened more than once, which is probably why I could not stop reading! The characters are well-developed. You get a true sense of their heartbreak, sense of loss, frustration, ambition, jealousy, narcissism. I particularly liked Braunstein's writing style at certain points in the book: you were given glimpses of what was to happen in the future, but those events actually did not appear later in the book as you would expect. Yet, they did not need to be recaptured later in the book because you already understood from the "glimpse," what had happened (I probably didn't explain that well, so you'll have to read the book to understand). I will definitely be recommending it to my book club.
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M K. (Minneapolis, MN)
Bad Animals
You don't read this book, you devour it, and like an Ourobourus, it devours you in turn. The many layers of the book (accentuated by deceptions, lies, and betrayals) are like 'bad animals' that sink their claws into you until the very last page. A book almost impossible to put down.
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Catherine O. (Altavista, VA)
Decidedly Different
Bad Animals is a unique novel. As an educator for many years, the accusation of impropriety by a librarian who led children's programs felt shocking. The developments that seemed to implicate the librarian in many ways made it difficult to see her as a sympathetic character. There were a few minor characters that I felt had redeeming characteristics but most characters were flawed, The character flaws seemed to be what drove the novel. The author's style made you question what was really happening, her foreshadowing about events that were to happen after the novel ended often sounded more interesting than what actually took place during the novel.
I admired the author's use of language to paint very vivid scenes, but this was not a novel I will be recommending to my reading friends or book clubs.
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Margot P. (Mandeville, LA)
Deeply psychological novel
The first few pages of Bad Animals led me to believe that the book would be a lighter, more comedic parody of sorts. But, boy did that quickly change! Braunstein's novel honestly portrays the human animal in all its dysfunctional glory; however, the story also has a strong permeating theme of love-in all its at times twisted forms. She takes on a lot in this story but it never comes across as crowded or cluttered. The ending is very thought provoking and a bit open ended yet fits with the story. I am a librarian so perhaps this book particularly appeals to me. I think it would be a good book club choice but might not be uniformly liked.
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Paula W. (East Wenatchee, WA)
An Interesting Book!
Bad Animals is an interesting book. The main character Mauve has an obsessive personality. As a librarian she has been writing to an author for years, wanting him to come to her library. Many letters sent even though he does not respond. But then she does meet him. There is an incident with a teenager accusing her of a wrongdoing. Mauve is proved innocent but then is let go due to budget cuts. She becomes obsessed thinking about this girl, trying to find her, actually to help her. She also wants to help a young refugee from Sudan. It is a fast moving book. A lot is going on. The reader immediately realizes Mauve has an odd personality. An emotional book about a woman trying to figure out her life and trying to do too much. It does have a surprising ending!
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Babe H. (Augusta, IL)
Bad Animal
Mauve, the main character, appears to be a semi-psychotic woman perhaps going through a mid-life crisis. Working as a librarian, Mauve is drawn into a sexual situation regarding teens actions in the library. Her life centers on her co-workers and establishing programs for the teens. With the loss of her job and apparently her sense of self, the author leads through Mauve's marriage, her dependency with her friend's partner, her relationship with a famous author and his wife, relationships with her daughter, her brother and several therapy providers.
Unfortunately, Mauve doesn't seem too likable. She might not be too forthcoming and she appears a bit flighty. The story is well written but this is not a book which would develop a lot of discussion or merit rereading in my opinion.
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Karen S. (Allston, MA)
Bad Animals: who and where?
The plot promises more intrigue than this book delivered for me. Braunstein does a good job conveying Maeve's inner life, but I was looking for more reflections from her external world. Maine, libraries, troubled teens, and an elusive author provide interesting vehicles for this novel. Sometimes I wish an editor had done more editing—I wonder if too much was edited out of this story. When I finished reading, I did not have the satisfying feeling I appreciate when a good story teller ends the tale.
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