The Night of the Animals

by J.J. Pascal

"An emotionally honest meditation on memory, masculinity, and familial inheritance, wielding rich prose and unforgettable imagery to create a rewarding and resonant experience." — Indie Reader

“Atmospheric satire of regret, recklessness, and rebirth.” — Publishers Weekly

"Fantastically unique...Very highly recommended."— Reader's Favorite ★★★★★

What if everything that kept you stuck—anxiety, regret, memory—wasn’t holding you back, but shaping the story you were meant to live?

At thirty-four, René Navarro’s life is far from what he once envisioned. Failed writer, mediocre journalist, single and drowning in debt. After the death of his eccentric, long-institutionalized mother, a letter surfaces, with a cryptic message pointing to a hidden inheritance she feared would be stolen by the caretakers at the psychiatric home.

Determined to recover what might be his last shot at redemption, he sets off on a quest that quickly spirals out of control. As reality blurs with dreams and carefully laid plans unravel at every turn, he’s forced to confront the one thing he’s never dared to face: himself.

Genres: Fiction

129 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2025

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first half of this book, I wasn’t totally sure where it was going. It felt a little meandering, and I had trouble getting a grip on what the story was trying to do. But somewhere past the halfway point, it started to click & from there, I was hooked.

The ending caught me off guard in a good way. It’s one of those books where different people will likely connect with different parts of the story, depending on where they’re coming from. There’s definitely meaning layered in there, even if it’s not always easy to pin down.

That said, I honestly don’t know who I’d recommend this to or how I’d even describe it 🤣 But I do think it’s worth the read if you're open to something a little offbeat and emotionally layered.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with René attending his mother’s funeral, and chaos ensues. From his strained relationship with his brother, to exploring his anxiety and regrets, we’re following along on his introspective journey.

While it was a quick read for me, it may also feel like a slow burn, but it also parallels how stagnant René is in life. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness and dark humor thrown in.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is going to be perfect for that deep conversational book club. It is layered and filled with deep metaphors that will make you think for the rest of your days about what you just read. It is relatable to everyone in someway if you read closely even if it’s just bits and pieces. It’s like reading a fever dream but by the end you will get it And feel fulfilled. This book feeds the soul. It’s so different and original.

[Alex Hoeft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the metaphorical depth that gave profound power to everyday moments and dark humor that pulled me further in as the story continued, Night of the Animals is written with a level of skill many writers won’t attain. Come for the intriguing blurb, enjoy the family drama and happenstance, and stay for the unexpected and thoroughly entertaining finish.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heidi Schoefs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night of the Animals is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of literary fiction and magical authenticity. It’s a story about the shadows we carry and the lengths we go to confront—or escape—them. While not without its challenges, it’s a rewarding read for those who appreciate layered narratives and emotional depth.

If you enjoy authors like Haruki Murakami or Samuel Beckett (who is even referenced in the epigraph), this book is well worth your time.

Star Rating:(4/5) — A compelling, melancholic, and unforgettable journey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night of the Animals, by J.J. Pascal, follows René Navarro through a series of winding, strange, and often grim encounters after his mother’s death. The story begins with a bitter family truce and moves through bars, dusty basements, cramped apartments, and funeral parlors as René becomes entangled with a man named Pascal, a theater troupe, and an elusive family “treasure.” The narrative jumps between present action and memories, mingling bleak humor, oddball side characters, and moments of quiet despair. Death hovers everywhere, sometimes literally, sometimes just the decay of lives gone stale, and yet there’s always a sense that René is searching for something to give all of it meaning.

I found the writing to be wonderfully vivid and strange, the sort that can make a chipped coffee mug or a hole in the wall feel like a portal. Pascal doesn’t shy away from disturbing images or awkward moments, and I liked that honesty. There’s a dark comic undercurrent that kept me turning pages, bits of absurdity dropped into the middle of grief or poverty. At times, the style felt almost claustrophobic, piling sensory detail on top of emotional weight until I felt just as trapped as the characters. That density could be exhausting, but it also fit the mood perfectly.

Beneath all the odd errands and shifting conversations, there’s a constant pull toward identity. How much of who we are is built from family history, and how much is just chance? The book plays with doubles, echoes, and repetitions, as if lives can overlap without ever quite touching. Some moments hit hard: the little observations about aging, fear, and small cruelties landed more heavily than the plot twists. Other times, I wished the story would move faster, but I can’t deny that the slower pace gave room for its unique textures to sink in.

I’d recommend The Night of the Animals to readers who enjoy literary fiction that leans into the strange and the melancholy. If you like stories where humor and sadness share the same breath, where objects hold memories, and where characters feel like they’ve been living long before the first page, this one will reward your patience. It’s not a light read, but it’s the sort that stays with you, gnawing at the edges of your thoughts.

[Ale · Rating 5 out of 5]

ITA
Quando muore la madre, René Navarro si ritrova circondato da parenti, ricordi e problemi pratici: il funerale ha prosciugato le sue finanze, e il bisogno di soldi diventa urgente. Intorno a lui si muovono legami familiari complicati, come quello con il fratello, e una superstizione sulla famiglia Navarro.
Il romanzo, (primo volume di una serie ?), segue principalmente René. Anche se a volte si dà spazio ad altri personaggi, è sempre lui il centro della narrazione.
Per me è stato un libro diverso da quelli che leggo di solito, soprattutto per la struttura narrativa: si passa da momenti introspettivi a episodi quotidiani, da situazioni rocambolesche ad altri passaggi più leggeri o tesi. È un mix di generi e toni che sorprende, ma funziona.
A un certo punto, accade qualcosa che potrebbe cambiare la vita di René. È lì che si pone una domanda che mi ha colpita:
“Se tu avessi la possibilità di ricominciare tutto da capo, lo faresti? A quale prezzo? Perdendo cosa e guadagnando cosa?”
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita di questo libro tramite Booksprout e sto volontariamente lasciando una recensione.

ENG
René Navarro faces relatives, memories, and practical problems after his mother's death. The funeral has depleted his finances, leaving him in urgent need of money. Complicated family ties surround him, such as those with his brother, as well as a superstition about the Navarro family.
The novel (the first in a series ?) mainly follows René. Although other characters are sometimes featured, he remains the central figure of the narrative.
It was a different book for me, mainly because of the narrative structure. It shifts from introspective moments to everyday episodes and from rocambolesque situations to lighter or more tense passages. This mix of genres and tones is surprising, yet effective.
At one point, something happens that could change René's life. This is where a question arises that struck me:
"If you had the chance to start all over again, would you do it? At what cost? What would you lose, and what would you gain?"
I received a free copy of this book through Booksprout and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Jeffrey Aitken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella aims for a literary, introspective tone but falters under the weight of excessive exposition and introspection.

While the premise, a man grappling with grief and unresolved familial tensions after his mother’s death, holds promise, the execution leans too far on telling rather than showing.

Internal monologue and narrative summary, rather than dramatised scenes, inundate the reader with backstory, memories, and character histories. This drains the tension and slows the pacing.

The prose aspires to an innovative, stream-of-consciousness style, but often feels self-indulgent and overwrought. Long, dense paragraphs full of reflections and analogies come at the expense of forward motion.

The author explains emotional beats instead of earning them through action or dialogue, which limits the reader’s ability to engage with the characters on a visceral level.

Despite occasional moments of sharp observation and wit, the literary style doesn’t quite land, feeling more like an intellectual exercise than a full immersive story.

The novel would benefit from grounding its abstract reflections in concrete, lived experiences and allowing characters to reveal themselves through what they do.

Furthermore, structural problems exist; the protagonist’s arc falters, and the plot lacks tension.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy, introspective and slowly unfolding.

A dense novella, with some great moments and haunting characters but a hard read with memories and narrative mixed together.

Rene's life changes when he receives a message about a hidden inheritance that should change his life, and as we all would, goes essentially on a quest into his past and his mind to ensure it gives him a life changing opportunity.

I enjoyed the premise and the story, but a stronger story arc and tighter structure would have helped readability immensely. Having said that, it's totally worth reading and the characters will rattle around in your brain.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

Thanks to Book Sirens and the author JJ Pascal for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrew Atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the book throughout, so was involved enough with the characters and wanted to see how events would turn out. However, the story did not grip me sufficiently to inspire me to seek out other works by this author. Perhaps that’s not fair; if I come across another offering I may be tempted to see if the author - who, for sure, shows some literary merit - has developed beyond the scope of this novella. A valiant effort.
I received a copy through the BookSirens service - which is strongly recommended - and my thanks to them. This is an independent review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He hates his life as it is so boring and he is about to be given a mystery to solve. His mother left secrets behind her and he is not sure if he wants to solve it but the more he looks into it, the more he wants to find out what happened. A great mystery tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it was a great mystery tale

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!! I was hipnotized with René’s plot and JJ’s pen!

[Lindsay Bice · Rating 4 out of 5]

slow start, but good

This book definitely started off slow. It kind of meandered around until about halfway through. It was a pretty fast read, regardless.