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Giveaway: Animal People - Product review
Animal People written by ‘Bestselling author of, The Children’, Charlotte Wood.
Excerpts from Animal People
Stephen pressed a fingertip onto a tiny opalescent shard on the tabletop and inspected it. It was either a bit of fingernail or a grain of rice. Rice, he decided, pressing the grain to his front teeth and nibbling as his mother went on about standby power consumption and energy ratings. He pulled a thread of fluff from his tongue. The tabletop was greasy, it really needed a clean.
…
They were all just captive animals, performing tricks for food.
…
And all the contempt the world had ever held for Stephen filled those last three words, and the great weight of this day swept up over him a terrible wave, and crashed down…Stephen sank his teeth deep into the flesh…
There is nothing more bliss on a rainy day than to find that comfy spot on the sofa and curl up with soft easy-listening, chill out jazz, a delicious aroma of vanilla caramel wafting from the burning candle, a bowl of fresh blueberries and vanilla bean icecream, and a good book. For those who don’t know me, I love my dog, Joey. He’s not just a pet but is acknowledged as the youngest member of the family. He gets birthday parties (3rd Dec), Christmas gifts under the tree, red pockets during Chinese New Year etc
Haha before you all judge me, don’t worry, he doesn’t get dressed up like a doll and is allowed to muck around in the yard. So when the opportunity arose from Nuffnang to review Animal People, I was more than happy to do so.
In most if not all books the protagonist is usually the hero character who will prevail over evil and feel sympathetic towards. However, the portrayal of the protagonist, Stephen, is a neurotic “loser” who works at the zoo kiosk and virtually has nothing going for him other than his relationship with Fiona. I actually started to loathe Stephen’s pathetic and unfulfilling outlook on life which built a tension throughout the book. Though I couldn’t stop reading as there was always hope that a change of events would occur and he would stop pitying himself.
Charlotte Wood encapsulates every aspect of the scene and characters so it’s easy to imagine and feel like you’re actually there. The build up of tension is so subtle that ‘the action hits like an unexpected blow’. It delves into issues on the similarities of humans and animals, societal values and the treatment of our pets. Animal People was a great read even though at times some things made me squirm in
and wanting to slap some sense into Stephen, but overall an entertaining read.
Recommended as adult fiction, not suitable for young children.
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And for one lucky reader, here is a chance to win yourself a free copy of Charlotte Wood’s Animal People courtesy of Nuffnang Australia.
All you have to do is:
Follow me on Twitter or Like the Facebook link below AND
Leave a comment telling me if you could be any animal, what would it be and why.
Entries will close on 10th December 2011, 11:59pm AEST. This competition is open to residents in Australia only. Winners will be announced on this blog. Make sure you leave an email so I can contact you in the event you win
Australian Competitions Club
