Encounters with Unexpected Animals: Stories

by Bret Anthony Johnston

An imaginative, moving collection of stories infused with the magic and enigma of the human condition and drenched in Texas heat, from the best-selling author of We Burn Daylight.

Encounters with Unexpected Animals takes readers deep into the heart of bestselling author Bret Anthony Johnston’s home state of Texas, where teenagers search for love, parents grasp at connections with their children, and animals—real or imagined, familiar or unexpected—are reminders of the mystery, danger, and beauty of being alive.

In “Caiman,” a father buys a baby alligator in hopes of keeping his family safe. In “Soldier of Fortune,” a teenage boy dog-sits for his neighbors after tragedy strikes, and his innocent snooping uncovers the family’s most guarded secret. And in the luminous “Half of What Atlee Rouse Knows About Horses,” an elderly man’s heart is laid bare with the raw and breathtaking power of wild horses.

Johnston’s humor, empathy, and mastery of prose ring out through each story, bringing every finely-drawn character to radiant life. Individually, the stories are by turns suspenseful, poignant and exhilarating. Taken together, they reveal the abiding connections that lead us from sorrow and impermanence back to ourselves and, ultimately, to each other.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Animals

224 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Bret Anthony Johnston is the author of the internationally best-selling novel Remember Me Like This, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, and the winner of the 2015 McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns Prize. The book has been translated around the world and is being made into a major motion picture. Bret is also the author of the award-winning Corpus Christi: Stories, which was named a Best Book of the Year by The Independent (London) and The Irish Times, and the editor of Naming the World and Other Exercises for the Creative Writer. His work appears in The Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, The Paris Review, Glimmer Train Stories, Virginia Quarterly Review, The Best American Short Stories, and elsewhere.

His awards include the Pushcart Prize, the Glasgow Prize for Emerging Writers, the Stephen Turner Award, the Cohen Prize, a James Michener Fellowship, the Kay Cattarulla Prize for short fiction, and many more. His nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Tin House, The Best American Sports Writing, and on NPR’s All Things Considered.

A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he’s the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship and a 5 Under 35 honor from the National Book Foundation. He wrote the documentary film Waiting for Lightning, which was released in theaters around the world by Samuel Goldwyn Films. He teaches in the Bennington Writing Seminars and at Harvard University, where he is the Director of Creative Writing.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are only two kinds of stories in Bret Anthony Johnston’s Encounters with Unexpected Animals. The excellent. And the extraordinary. And by extraordinary, I mean, “OMG, he just wrote something so amazingly exquisite and spot-on and TRUE that it’s laying my heart bare and it’s revealing something I’ve always known and yet I’ve never KNOWN I’ve known.”

Case in point. These are the last line of one of his longest short stories, The Beginning of Wisdom (curiously, this is not a spoiler because it will mean nothing unless you read the story): “He’s listening to the intricate music of longing and weeping when he must, He’s watching the clouds. He’s waiting and waiting, whiling away the hours until a storm gathers and his son can appreciate the painstaking labor of hope, the coded, sheltering lessons of sorrow.”

Many of his stories end this way, with reflections so poignant that I read them multiple times, and a 200-page collection ended up taking me a full week to finish. Animals figure in meaningful ways. In another favorite, Soldier of Fortune, a young teenage boy is asked to care for the dog of an older teenage girl, whom he has a crush on, when her little brother is severely burnt. He doesn’t realize it, but he is about to grow up fast. In another, Half of What Atlee Rouse Knows About Horses, an elderly horse-lover witnesses one of the collection’s most exquisite scenes: a grown stallion saving a drowning colt.

Then there is Time of the Preacher, which I recognized as a somewhat lighthearted addition to the collection, but it inexplicably moved me to tears – proving once again that reading touches each reader in broken places. It takes place during the pandemic when an ex-wife summons her ex-husband (who is wearing a bandana, not a mask) to search for a snake in a home that her renter – a preacher – just deserted. Or is the snake just a ploy? Once again, the last few lines are stunning.

The themes – people searching for connections and encountering the unexpected, the journeys and detours we take to understand ourselves and each other, the sorrows and the joys that are part of being alive – are all illuminated in this collection. I am so thankful to the author and Random House for enabling me to be an early reader and to share my honest and overwhelmingly positive review.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I love reading and teaching short stories, and I find short story collections to be such a gift, especially when sprinkled between dozens of back-to-back novels. They're typically a nice change of pace, and I really enjoy not just the stories on their own but also the messaging of the collection overall. For me, while there are some great stories here, it is that broad connection that really made this grouping shine. The author's note, replete with a well selected Pearl Jam lyric, really sealed that deal.

One obvious unifying note is the sense of place, and it's intriguing to observe a variety of characters operating in mostly typical aspects of life in their Texan settings. I thought I might have *not* positive feelings about potential tie-ins here, but I was pleased not to find myself put off.

While I enjoyed the whole group to various degrees, I did find some of the stories to be a bit *too* short, and there was one that was a strong standout in a positive way (which I'll keep to myself so you can make your own unmitigated determinations about the rankings). This is also my first experience with this author, so I'm now intrigued by the rampant appreciation for Johnston's previous work, particularly of a different genre. I am curious to know what I'll think of the different format and how much other readers' incoming appreciation for those earlier works impacts their impressions of this newest effort.

I enjoyed this very much not only because "I'd [also] rather be with an animal," but that didn't hurt. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Madison Dettlinger at Random House Marketing for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Mary Lins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a HUGE fan of Bret Anthony Johnson’s novels, and so I approached his new short story collection, “Encounters with Unexpected Animals”, hoping they would be as rewarding. Well, I fell in love on the first page of the first story with the recently widowed man who’s thirteen-year-old son was competing in a competition at a clown convention in Houston. This charming, funny, and poignant story assured me that I was in for a treat with this twelve-story collection.

Set in Corpus Christi, fourteen-year-old Josh remembers the year 1986 when he was starting high school and in love with the “fast” girl across the street. A horrible freak accident affects both families in ways that will change everyone’s lives. This poignant and tragic memory moved me utterly.

Dixon is a Dairy Queen manager wrestling with his fifteen-year-old daughter’s burgeoning drug addiction. This suspenseful story is a testament to Johnston’s prodigious writing talent that he can, in fewer than 30 pages, write a story as compelling, meaty, and deep as a novel!

The story “Young Life” perfectly encapsulates adolescence in the early 1980s. All the fears - rational and irrational – and how dropping your tray in the cafeteria can be soul crushing. And then there are the things you’ve forgotten, like grocery store encyclopedia collections, boom boxes and cassette decks, the Sears catalog, and when childhood abruptly and violently ends.

I was especially moved by the sweet and sad story of Travis, who follows a childhood memory out to a lake and a small family he had once known briefly. Revisiting this memory ignites hope and plans for Travis’ future.

Most of the stories have to do with seminal moments in the lives of teen boys. Like the summer Julian worked in a Mexican Restaurant in Corpus driving a classic Cadillac to make deliveries.

Leave it to Johnston to have the final story in the collection be a doozy! Atlee Rouse, now 80 in a nursing home, recalls his past based on the horses he has had in his life. It’s a beautiful story of a life and love, and of the majesty of horses. You don’t have to be a horse lover to appreciate this story, but if you are, you will be in awe.

Bret Anthony Johnson is the director of the Michener Center at the University of Texas at Austin (my alma mater) and each of the twelve stories take place in my home state of Texas, which added a richness of familiarity for me. Johnson never disappoints!

Many thanks to Random House for this first look at these amazing stories.

[Susan Poer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all collections of short stories, I liked some of these better than others. All are set in TX and explore residents hopes, dreams, tragedies, and life events. I loved 'Paradeability' about a widower taking his son to a clown convention in Houston. Who knew all the types of clowns that exist, and levels of effort some go to in perfecting their craft. 'Soldier of Fortune' was also a standout about a lovesick teenager who finds out his crushes' deep dark secret. Many are very short with abrupt endings, leaving you to determine what happened. Many will also stick with you as you compare and contrast different yet similar experiences. There are many stories of unrequited love, and families dealing with tragedies. There aren't many animals in this book, and the story of the namesake only briefly mentions animals, so the title is a bit misleading. It's very well written, and although I haven't read the author's other book 'We Burn Daylight', this made me interested in giving that a look as well.

[Andy Krahling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short story is sometimes an overlooked avenue for many authors -- I happen to love them. I had no idea what to expect from this collection, and I was pleasantly surprised. Set primarily in coastal Texas, these tales were examinations of humanity, from a range of different viewpoints. I loved the fact that many of the finales were open-ended -- you had to use your imagination -- it wasn't always clear as to the outcome.

The author wrote with humanity, humor, grittiness and love. While I didn't love all the stories, I really enjoyed most of them. The author has a good grasp on his characters and why they do what they do.

The author has a new fan.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have pointed out before that a well written collection of short stories is often more of a challenge to a reader than a novel of comparative length because of the need to reload every twenty minutes or so. This is such a collection. Johnston is a writer of extraordinary perception and heart, and the stories bear this out. An award winner married to another award winner, he is a master of the craft. These gems all share similar elements in that they are all set in the humid parts of Texas, with the action mostly at night, and with male protagonists, some being fathers trying to connect, some husbands, current and ex, trying to reach some level of understanding. This is definitely not the last of his work that I will read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quietly arresting collection of twelve short stories set in Texas, Encounters with Unexpected Animals treats animals not as symbols but as thresholds, signalling moments when something shifts. Each encounter opens onto grief, loss, or the raw, unfinished business of teenage becoming. The prose is clean and readable, but the emotional weather is complicated, with storms moving in just when you think the sky is clear. These stories linger in the way good field encounters do, not loud, but persistent, asking what it means to be watched, chosen, or left behind. Thought-provoking and humane, this is a collection that trusts small moments to carry big weight.

[Thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an opportunity to read and share my opinion of this book.]

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories, some about 20 minutes long, others are shorter. The common thread is they take place in Texas.
Some of theses are very emotional, and animals are referenced, some more than others!
There are some surprises here, and youngsters dealing with actions of their parents, like with cars.
I liked the gift of caiman, oh my! Also an ex-wife having her ex-husband come and get a snake out of the rental, standing on counters? Also special horses!
There is a bit of humor here, and some were page turning, and in the end wanting more answers!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Random House, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Tina Goldberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encounters with Animals is a collection of twelve short stories set in Texas. Very readable and thought provoking, some of the common themes include grief, loss, and teenage coming of age. Some of my favorites among these short stories are Paradeability (yes, this event/competition does exist in the world of clowns), Dixon, Miss McElroy, The Beginning of Wisdom, Time is the Preacher, and of course Half of What Atlee Rouse Knows about Horses.
I maybe expected more interarctions with animals in the stories, but we humans are also animals so its all good.

Thank you NetGalley & Random House for this eARC.

[Clarice Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!!

It took me a few months of off and on reading of these stories before finally finishing them. This set of short stories is *truly* Texas - the body, the mind, the soul.

I will say “Encounters with Unexpected Animals” wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. You know what? That’s okay! This was one of my first experiences with a collection of stories and I thought the setting brought a nice sense of cohesiveness while maintaining an edge of mystery and anticipation because you never knew what the next was going to bring.

“Paradeability” and “Dixon” were two of my favorite stories throughout the entire collection.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book was not in my usual wheelhouse, it was an unexpected surprise.

In a collection of poignant, short stories, this author manages to elicit strong emotions from his readers. Set in Texas, stories range from the sale of a car to questionable motives of a man for his son’s young girlfriend, the author memorably tells stories in small spaces leaving large emotions.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Random House , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#EncounterswithUnexpectedAnimals #NetGalley

[James B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the ebook. This is a short story collection that takes us all over Texas. Children trying to figure out how to grow up, parents trying to connect with their kids while keeping them safe, and even an ex wife who asks her ex husband to stop by and then all these animals. A possible snake haunts one story, a baby alligator shows up in another and it is Texas, so horses are never far away, both broken and gloriously wild.

[Patricia Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

most stories set in Texas. most are about marginalized children. kids who eat halloween candies for dinner. kids who have to watch their elderly alheimer grandmother. kids who have friends next door who "live better" than them. most of the most interesting is a story about a little kid who suffers life changing burns. and finds out that the kid's mother is not whom he thinks it is.

[Likestotravel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always awed by short story writers and their ability to so rapidly develop characters and situations. Encounters with Unexpected Animals is raw at times but builds a collection of touching tales about humans and their connections.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful collection of short stories. It is amazing how much character development can happen in tight spaces. There aren't repeated characters or heavy-handed themes but the whole book has an unmistakable vibe-- a little dusty but never boring, working class but never too poor.

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd)]

Thank you to Random House Marketing for sending me the arc!

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous, imaginative, moving, and absolutely fantastic book with some impeccable vibes and great plotting. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A splendid series of short stories, based around the state of Texas. I don't remember much of the book, only that I enjoyed the stories. The one about the Clown convention really stood out.

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is good and the emotions feel real. The conflicts are also realistic and relatable. It's okay that the stories focus more on people, but the animals stuff don't stand out as much as I hoped. I wanted the animal elements to be more showed. Still a solid book, but yeah … just okay for me.

[Jeremy Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written collection of stories of some sad folks lost in their own despair. A man tries to connect with his son through attending a clown convention. People invest too much in their dream car, the girl across the street whose brother got scalding water thrown on him, trying to smuggle toys across the border to Mexico for overly avid toy collectors. Set in the author's home state of Texas, these folks are vividly drawn with clear dialogue - they're just hard to read about sometimes. But isn't that life.