Among Animals: The Lives of Animals and Humans in Contemporary Short Fiction

Among Animals #1

by John Yunker (Editor), Diane Lefer, Jean Ryan

The relationships among human and non-human animals goes back to the beginning of time-and the ways in which these relationships have evolved (and sometimes not) is the inspiration for this collection of contemporary short fiction, penned by writers from across the globe. This diverse collection of stories explores the ways in which we live among-and often in conflict with-our non-human counterparts. These stories feature animals from the familiar (dogs and cats) to the exotic (elands and emus), and in these stories animals are both the rescuers and the rescued.

Within these pages are glimpses of the world through the eyes of a zookeeper, a shelter worker, a penguin researcher, and a neighborhood stray, among many others-all highlighting the ways in which animals and humans understand and challenge one another. Among Animals is a dynamic collection of stories from the world's most gifted contemporary authors-those who pay close attention to the creatures with which we share our planet, and who inspire us to pay closer attention as well.

Stories and contributors include:
Alas, Falada! by Diane Lefer
Greyhound by Jean Ryan
Beyond the Strandline by Mary Akers
Meat by C.S. Malerich
Aren’t You Pretty? by Patrick Hicks
The Ecstatic Cry by Midge Raymond
Litter by Philip Armstrong
The Boto’s Child by Rosalie Loewen
Emu by Jessica Zbeida
With Sheep by Carol Guess and Kelly Magee
Pelicans by Julian Hoffman
The Weight of Things Unsaid by Sara Dupree
Blue Murder by Suzanne Kamata
Bad Berry Season by Melodie Edwards
Miriam’s Lantern by Ray Keifetz

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Short Stories

232 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

UPDATE: John Yunker is co-author (with Midge Raymond) of the mystery DEVILS ISLAND, coming in September 2024 from Oceanview Publishing.

- - -

John Yunker is a writer of plays, short stories and novels focused on human/animal relationships.

He is co-founder of Ashland Creek Press, a vegan-owned publisher devoted to environmental and animal rights literature. He is author of the novel The Tourist Trail and the sequel Where Oceans Hide Their Dead.

His full-length play Meat the Parents was a finalist at the Centre Stage New Play Festival (South Carolina) and semi-finalist in the AACT new play contest. Species of Least Concern was a finalist in the Mountain Playhouse Comedy Festival. His short play, Little Red House, was published in the literary journal Mason's Road, and produced by the Studio Players Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. The short play Of Mice and Marines was workshopped and given a staged reading at the ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) conference in Las Vegas.

His short stories have been published by literary journals such as Phoebe, Qu, Flyway, and Antennae.

Reviews

[Ti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Short of It:

A deeply introspective look at the role of animals in society.

The Rest of It:

This is a powerful, and I’ll admit, at times, unsettling collection of short stories that center around animals and their place in society. I expected most of the stories to center around “man’s best friend” but the collection goes much deeper than that.

These stories include a man’s infatuation with a bird, a story told from a stray dog’s point of view, a woman impregnated (magically speaking) by a dolphin, a pregnant woman slowly becoming goat-like, and probably what was the most powerful story for me, one about an animal taken in as “meat” that suddenly becomes quite a bit more than that.

What I briefly mentioned above doesn’t even cover the half of it. My main reason for accepting this book for review, is that it also includes two favorites stories of mine, written by Midge Raymond (The Ecstatic Cry) and Jean Ryan (Greyhound). I was introduced to their writing through their story collections (Forgetting English and Survival Skills) some time ago and ever since, I’ve looked at short fiction in an entirely new light.

Short. Fiction. Can. Pull. You. In.

Yes. Yes, it can.

I know lots and lots of readers that shy away from short fiction. Trust me, I am a novel gal. I love to lose myself in a long novel but if you haven’t given short fiction a chance lately, you really should. Among Animals, in particular, really shook me up. I was all torn up over this one. It’s not a sad collection, but at the same time, it’s not a happy collection either. Each story seems to call the reader out, and then take you down a peg. It’s a little unnerving but at the same time, comforting. That’s a strange word to use for some of these stories but there was a solemnity to it all that made me revere the collection all the more.

If you are looking to stretch yourself a little as a reader and have been trying to work some short fiction into your reading schedule, I cannot recommend this collection highly enough. It’s thought-provoking, somber but also totally in your face. I loved it.

For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't know what I was getting into when I won this book, but I was glad that I did. This is a compilation of fictional short stories from a variety of authors that showcase the relationships between animals and humans. Through these stories, we are reminded that the way we treat animals reflects back on us as humans.

Some thoughts on my favorite stories in the compilation:

Litter: Told from a stray dog's point of view as the dog tries to survive on the streets and an examines the relationship of its human rescuers as the muddle through a relationship. I loved this story and the dogs point of view, we hear many rescue stories from the human's point of view that is always how the animal saved the human. I appreciate the story from the other side and examining how dogs end up on the street.

The Boto's Child: An enchanting and magical story about the mythology surrounding the pink river dolphins of the Amazon, the Boto's. Even though completely based on mythology of several native Amazon tribes, this moving story shows how humans have empathized with the Boto for centuries.

Miriam's Lantern: An appropriate closing story for the collection; a young man watches the last of a species of bird die alone in captivity. As he watches the bird live out it's life, he examines his own choices, knowing that he had a hand in the species demise. I thought this story was especially poignant today, as we may very well be watching a variety of species die due to choices we have made.

Among Animals was provided for free through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among Animals is a diverse collection of short stories regarding the relationships between human and non-human animals. The stories explore how we live and survive with both domestic and exotic animals. This is truly an amazing collection of stories that will inspire the reader to take a closer look at the animals in their life.

Animal lovers will most definitely want to check this collection out.

[Зlata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I'm just baffled. Was hopeful after reading John Yunker's novels. I got pretty tired of the trope of a male animal rescuer with women swirling around him after reading some "eco-fiction", was even ready however to forgive some of that crap for the animals' sake, but some of the stories here are just on another level. Btw, comparing lesbians to pedophiles???
(Internalised) misogyny of some authors is crazy, and the objectification of women and stereotyping in some stories made me sick. Moreover, some of the stories are simply badly written and/or are not about non-human animals at all and just briefly mention them. Also lacked vegan lens for me.

I certainly expected much more from the book. 3 stars because I want to support the vegan publisher and believe in the better future for them.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short stories in this book are about humans and their story. The animals in these stories are showing how the humans live their lives. It’s not a warm and fuzzy relationship. It is an interesting relationship. Some of these stories will make you think about how you are living your life.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked in my book journal at this title and said, "what is this?" I read it in January and it is now May. Sometimes in my journal I write about the books I've just read, but so far this year I've been lazy. Once I put in the title, I remembered what this was. We had planned to read it for our reading group, but the group the disbanded before we did that. I don't think I'd have finished it if we hadn't needed it for that. However, I did take notes for the reading group that we never did, so I have some actual reviews done at the time of reading.

The problem with groups of stories by different authors with vastly differing perspectives is that it can make a confusing book. Some of these stories I hated and some I liked, and most were kind of in-between. The reviews are primarily centered on an animal rights perspective because the book was read for that kind of reading group.

Alas Falada - first about this story - WTF is "I may be a pedophile more than a lesbian because I'm not attracted to boobs"? The second part of that isn't an exact quote, but the first part is and I found it revolting. Way to compare lesbians to pedophiles, a-hole. So that was not a good start to the book. In terms of non-human animals, the narrator of the story is clueless about her part as a zookeeper in the tragedy of the eland. The eland's problem is that she was either captured in the wild and held captive, or born in captivity; that her existence was merely to help a zoo profit from being exhibited. The narrator probably does care about the eland but she doesn't move forward in her thinking. She fails to recognize that human domination over other animals is the problem.

Greyhound Well, it would be nice to see lesbians in two out of two stories if the stories were a little better. I didn't quite understand this story, unless it's about how people can live together without really knowing each other? Soooo ironically and typically, the narrator and her girlfriend Holly live together, care deeply for a frightened and abandoned dog, but eat other animals. I mean... no difference but species between that greyhound and the pig on their plate. (I can't remember what kinds of animals the characters actually ate, but the sentiment remains). I just remember this story, like the first, feeling overall depressing.

Beyond the Strandline This is less about animals than people; it's tiresome to see animals used as metaphors, as things rather than individuals. My notes show that I didn't get much out of this story, and months later I barely remember it, just a question about taking someone off life support vs killing dolphins outright? Is it the same? (No). And Walt sucks.

Meat. Probably the best story in the book! A creepy story with a twist that makes you gasp while also being perfectly obvious. The comments by the butcher are going to be hilariously accurate to any vegan who's had to hear excuses by meat-eaters. An excellent horror story that shows the major difference between humans and animals is really just a point of view.

Aren't You Pretty? I don't remember this one, despite my notes. I have questions about whether animals are seen as themselves or as metaphors, whether the comparison between cat and burn victim works, and whether there is enough, not enough, or too much detail to understand what's going on in the story, but I haven't answered those questions in my notes.

The Ecstatic Cry Again, animals appear here but are on the periphery; the study of them is the reason that humans are in close proximity but they are kind of ignored. However, the human-centered storyline can also be seen as a metaphor for the extinction of animals in general, of penguins in particular, and this story is definitely one of the stronger ones in the book. The atmosphere is superb - I was cold the entire time I read this. The loneliness, isolation, death are metaphors as well as truth. It's depressing but very good.

Litter This is a pretty heartbreaking story according to my notes. An abusive guy being nominally kind to a stray dog but in the end, kicking her out. I like the attempt at a different POV, but am not sure if it works. Sometimes I find 3rd person the strongest; and in this case I know I'm not this dog and so I feel less connected than if I were just reading her story. The humans here are, as usual, horrible people. And the whole thing is very sad.

There are more stories and I'm not really in the mood to review them all. I guess it's not surprising that so many of these stories of animal-human interaction would be depressing, difficult to read, show exploitation but it's hard to be so inside it for an entire book of fiction without much reprieve. This is, unfortunately, the way of the world but damn, it would have been nice to read a cute story about an animal saving a human and something to do with cats making a person's world better (I write as one of my cats is going crazy running around the house).

I'm neutral on whether I'd recommend this -- I think I actually would but with some reservation. It's a downer.

[Lauren Rev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for something inspiring after reading the lead on the back cover: “Stories that affirm the indelible bond among humans and animals”. I should have read further. The introduction was more descriptive, noting that the human/animal is “a relationship in need of serious therapy” The editor writes: “The stories in this anthology call attention to the many walls we have constructed.” He explains, “We create barriers in our minds and on lawns and in our legal systems to keep animals in their place and us in ours.” Overall, I felt the book had an uneven quality. The only thread I perceived was that, by and large humans treat animals poorly. Most of the stories focused on people and their relationships to each other with animals playing a minor role. Many of the selections chosen were sad or disturbing. I guess that means they were “good writing” because they were able to evoke an emotional response. The final sentiment expressed by the editor in the introduction reads, “I hope you enjoy these stories as much as we have, and that you’ll share them with others”. Some were interesting, but the only selection I wholeheartedly recommend is “Mariam’s Lantern.”

More details concerning each story follow:

Alas, Falada! Didn’t get the point. Not sure where the head ended up. Seemed to want to honor the animals more when dead than alive. Saw zoo animals as pets rather than sentient beings locked in a cages or maybe she was finally coming to terms with that disconnect. Seemed a pointless exercise. I just don’t know **

Greyhound: Liked the characters. The dog reminded me of Petunia, my rescue dog, and her recovery and integration into our home. Liked the history and information about greyhounds and the personal stories about Holly & Fawn. The narrator was interesting and her observations were natural not all-encompassing. A story of the rhythms of life. ****

Beyond the Strandline: This one I found kind of creepy. Letting go of Lulu seemed analogous to letting go of his wife and I didn’t trust that his intention was the best for the dolphin. The narrator seems to have too much emotional baggage. Some of the facts regarding dolphins and dolphin rescue were interesting as well as the narrator’s growth in his right relationship to these sentient beings. Liked it a little better on second reading. ***

Meat: Another unsettling story. The scene at the butcher was graphic and seemed truthful but through the eyes of the six year old somewhat sanitized. I wondered at the effect that it all had. The characters seemed disturbed by the event but it did not seem to change their behavior except for the older sister. I was very disappointed that they seemingly were going to engage in the same practice with Drumstick. Didn’t really get the point of the story. Was it to show the horrors of “sustainable” backyard farming or to show that it wasn’t that bad and that well adjusted children can learn to rationalize killing animals if given the right training.***

Aren’t You Pretty? Definitely didn’t like this story where the woman has a choice to make between her abandoned niece and her pets. She chooses her niece, substituting her for the menagerie of animals that she has rescued and helped. It is almost as if the author sees the pets as preparation for the really important act of caring for humans. The narrator chose to care for her abandoned niece and give up her faithful pets. Bothered me like the dolphin story although this one was better written. ***

The Ecstatic Cry: I like the woman’s respect for the penguin’s way of life and her annoyance at the tourists interference with it. Didn’t really get the sex scene. Was this supposed to be akin to some sort of penguin mating analogy? She had finally found her mate but he had killed himself because he could not mate with his initial mate anymore. Evidently no mental health services in the Antarctica. And not sure about title reference, who exactly was giving the ecstatic cry looking for their lost mate, the woman researcher or the suicidal man. Might have to read this one again.****

Litter: Another sad one. Written from a dog’s point of view. The story of so many dogs. A commentary on the inhumanity of humanity and its horrid treatment of the one animal it considers its best friend. ***

The Boto’s Child: Liked this better on the second reading. Vivid descriptions of detail of surroundings and sensations. At first reading, saw a crazy woman driven to do a desperate thing to save what she believed was wrong with her child but the second time was more open to the mystery and experience and legend of a culture which with I was unfamiliar. ****

Emu: Another story that I liked better on second reading. More complicated than I originally thought. Shows the messiness of life though I wasn’t thrilled with the powerlessness of the woman. Again the emu was just a victim of senseless humanity though I did notice the juxtaposition with the dairy cows and especially the pork chops she mangled but did not occur to her as sentient beings. ***

With Sheep: Sci-fi but in many themes would fit into modern day. Again better the second time. First time around had not even noticed the character change. My take on it was that for money, the couple (the woman) had agreed to birth a woolie, part human, part sheep. She had to go through a procedure to produce this offspring that apparently turned her into a woolie as time went on and grew an attachment to her unborn. Interesting labor scene. In the end, it seemed she lost her humanity and became a sheep. Interesting idea, a mini “The Fly”. Technology not providing its promise and having unintended consequences. ****

Pelicans: This was more of the kind of story that I was expecting. The animals prove to be the saviors of the humans in the story or animals are seen with a new appreciation for what they are, not merely for what they can provide in terms of physical product. This one had a nice twist but I wish the author would have spent more time on the wildlife researcher. He came off as a bit flat ****

The Weight of Things Unsaid: I had the most issues with this story and felt very disturbed by the narrator. She didn’t really seem to have much insight into her actions, past or present. She seemed unsure about her feelings towards the humans in her life, almost annoyed by them and seemed unable to fully express or even acknowledge her deep loss and guilt for the frustration and loss surrounding her young dog which seemed to have affected her more than her miscarriage. My least favorite story as it seems to portray an unfavorable light for her animal/human choices. Again I kind of didn’t get the point and found the essay disturbing & unsettling**

Blue Murder: A lonely unhappy man’s existence is brought back to life by the discovery and time spent watching a beautiful bird. The title leads you one way but there is a twist. Finally, after a great sorrow, he is shown attention and kindness by his family which it seems is what he was really craving. Again the animal is quickly set aside for the humans. Kind of boring**

Bad Berry Season: Again not sure of the point but another animal is sacrificed due to someone’s emotional angst. Story could have maybe provided some closure on the motive behind the bizarre stunt, surely some kind of break with reality but even those have their reasons.**

Miriam’s Lantern: Enjoyed the juxtaposition of the fate of the chestnuts, the passenger pigeons and the narrator, Marner. The author brought in some astute observations and I liked the narrative. Not sure about the ending, but this was definitely my favorite selection in the book. *****

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among Animals touts itself as a collection of short stories "from the world's most gifted contemporary authors" and that these stories "inspire us to pay closer attention ["to the creatures with whom we share the planet"] . As far as the authors go, I'm not intimately familiar with any of them, not that that means they're not great writers. These stories are well written and avoid cliched ways of presenting the stories. Also, these authors do not tend to indulge in any "dreaded anthropomorphism." Instead, we find a collection which varies from story to story in the manner in which the objective is attempted / achieved. When it's all said and done, Among Animals is a collection of short fiction that can certainly open the eyes of open-minded readers and is well worth a read.

[Lilac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't actually finish the last story, as it kind of lost me early on.

I enjoyed most of the pieces in this collection, and I think I got something out of each of them. somehow I think I thought this would have more from the non-human perspective, but it was still good.

[Nathan Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads, and am grateful for the opportunity.

The short stories in the anthology covered a lot of ground in the animal kingdom, from house pets to wild animals. The style of writing also varied, with one having an almost magical realism element to it and another actually going into the mind of the animal.

What I liked about the stories in general was that they were all relatively balanced - they weren't patronizingly naive about nature, but even the depressingly realistic pieces had moments of hope and wonder that kept me interested. Still, some of the pieces were a little too dark for my taste; I thought they were good works, but they just weren't my cup of tea. On the other hand, I enjoyed many of the stories, and overall left the book with a positive feeling.

I also found it interesting how many of the stories made the human elements of the story equally important in parallel with the animals featured. I sometimes thought that the human focus was a little too strong, but I also felt that the links allow the reader to connect with the themes of the story and with the hearts of the animals better.

One issue I had with a few of the stories was that there were unresolved or unaddressed issues in the end that left me hanging. Many other stories in the book ended on conclusive, satisfying notes though, so I have no major objections.

I feel that the book opened my awareness to a number of issues I had not thought too much about before, from necropsies of deceased zoo animals to the hunting for captive dolphins to the fates of racing dogs.

My favorite story was The Boto's Child. It stood out to me with the magic blended in with the realism, something I really didn't see too much of in the other stories. The ending was touching. Plus, I felt a special sense of awe toward the Amazon river dolphin, a rare and beautiful species that is under threat of dying out. I felt that the story was a suitable treatment to the remarkable creature.

Overall, I think this collection of short stories embodies the theme of animals very well. Although a couple stories could use a little improvement, I am satisfied with the book.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of short stories was absolutely fascinating. The need for humans to study and understand animals is so prevalent. One story really got to me. Greyhound has made me think about looking into adopting said breed.
All of the stories were not as compelling, but brought to mind all of the fascination we as humans have for other creatures. The world would not be as fascinating without all the other creatures.

[Celyjane B.]

I have recently done my senior project and during my research I delved into the history of canine domestication and this book is a good read if you're interested in that topic. This book does a really good job of articulating the history of animal and human partnership through an unbiased lens - which is something that I really appreciated for my research.

[Mindy Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no Hollywood endings in this absorbing and challenging collection. You will wonder, you will ache, you will think deeply about the animals that surround your life, and after experiencing these fresh and startlingly honest stories you will no longer take any form of life for granted.