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Animales
«Yo no recuerdo haber insultado invocando a los animales; los han convocado a todos para insultar. ‘Perro’ está en la Ilíada: ‘Ojos de perro’, dicen. ‘El caballo’ le decían a una compañera en sexto grado; ‘Gato’ a las prostis, y ‘Vaca’, a las gordas. Me identifico con Felisberto Hernández, que dice en su cuento ‘Úrsula’: ‘Úrsula era gorda como una vaca y a mí me gustaba que fuera así’. Se necesita valentía en el Río de la Plata para decir eso. ‘Lengua de víbora’ es otro insulto; ‘Buitre’, también. El tigre, el león y la oveja tienen buena prensa. Me gustan mucho los dichos camperos de la provincia de Buenos Aires, en los que cada situación, habilidad o deficiencia es ilustrada con un animal. Para la monotonía: ‘Siempre igual, como cara de oveja’. Para la formalidad: ‘Formal, como burro en corral’. Para la desconfianza: ‘Más desconfiao que caballo tuerto’. Para el que habla de algo que desconoce: ‘Qué sabe el burro ‘e confites, si nunca fue confitero’. Para la gente que saluda a todo el mundo en los pueblos: ‘Saludador como tero’ (el tero hace un movimiento de cabeza). Mi papá contaba que los viejos vascos del campo tenían apodos de animales: ‘Cebruno’, ‘Overo’, ‘Malacara’.” Fragmento de «Mi historia con los animales», incluido en este libro.»Hebe Uhart se ha definido como una persona que mira, y cuando dice ‘mira’ quiere decir ‘escucha’. Quiere decir que los relatos de la veintena de libros publicados desde 1962 hasta la fecha siguen una línea que no se guía por el impacto de los acontecimientos, sino por el deseo de captar el detalle, almacenar en la memoria el microcosmos contemplado y, recién entonces, traer las historias de vuelta como si estuvieran ocurriendo ahora en este mundo y el lector las escuchara en tiempo real.» Palabras de los escritores César Aira y Martín Kohan -Argentina-, Alejandra Costamagna -Chile- y Jorge Volpi -México-, integrantes del jurado que otorgó a Hebe Uhart el Premio Iberoamericano de Narrativa Manuel Rojas 2017, máximo reconocimiento a la trayectoria literaria que otorga el Estado de Chile, y uno de los mayores galardones de la lengua castellana.
212 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2017
19 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Hebe Uhart
65 books109 followersHebe Uhart was an Argentine author born in 1936. She majored in Philosophy at the University of Buenos Aires and worked both as a teacher and a professor. She also taught in literary workshops.
Uhart published six short novels, among which we find "Camilo asciende" and "Mudanzas", and a number of short stories, collected in the books "Dios, San Pedro y las almas" (1962), "Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?" (1963), "La gente de la casa rosa" (1970), "El budín esponjoso" (1977), "La luz de un nuevo día" (1983), "Leonor" (1986), "Guiando la hiedra" (1997), "Del cielo a casa" (2003), "Camilo asciende y otros relatos" (2004), "Turistas" (2008) and "Un día cualquiera" (2013). During her last years she wrote the travelling chronicles "Viajera crónica" (2011), "Visto y oído" (2012), "De la Patagonia a México" (2015), "De aquí para allá" (2017) and "Animales" (2018).
Uhart published six short novels, among which we find "Camilo asciende" and "Mudanzas", and a number of short stories, collected in the books "Dios, San Pedro y las almas" (1962), "Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?" (1963), "La gente de la casa rosa" (1970), "El budín esponjoso" (1977), "La luz de un nuevo día" (1983), "Leonor" (1986), "Guiando la hiedra" (1997), "Del cielo a casa" (2003), "Camilo asciende y otros relatos" (2004), "Turistas" (2008) and "Un día cualquiera" (2013). During her last years she wrote the travelling chronicles "Viajera crónica" (2011), "Visto y oído" (2012), "De la Patagonia a México" (2015), "De aquí para allá" (2017) and "Animales" (2018).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 5, 2022
Animals (2017) is a truly delightful collection of interviews, book reviews and essays on animals, written with warmth and a sense of humour by an Argentinian writer, Hebe Uhart, whom I was thrilled to discover. I wish more of her books were translated.
Animals are a fascinating subject per se. If a talented writer observes and describes them — moreover, illustrates the book herself — you are in for a treat, and that is exactly what I experienced. I am indebted to Hebe Uhart for reminding me how much I adore nature books and for recommending a few titles I would love to explore further.
Animals offers not only a plethora of amusing and astounding fun facts but also quite a lot of food for thought. Aside from animals, the author depicts humans obsessed with them and I enjoyed their hilarious portrayals. The two things that bothered me were a few repetitions and Hebe Uhart's fascination with zoos which I find depressing.
Just a few extracts to give you a foretaste. Believe me, I had a hard time selecting as there were so many intriguing passages:
Among siamang gibbons, both males and females vocalize. From this vocalization, it’s possible to perceive not only their whereabouts but also the degree of integration and harmony between the pair. If their song doesn’t move to the beat, if they aren’t in tune, the neighbors will invade.
Studies have found that the better a male [a bird of paradise] is at dancing and the better he is at building and decorating his nest, the higher his rate of reproduction will be. A male who is an excellent dancer and builder/decorator will have more chances to bring forth progeny, and his offspring will no doubt inherit the same abilities.
These anthropoids [chimpanzees] can take care of a wounded comrade, and they’ll gather fruit for their oldest members who can no longer do so. Chimpanzees will comfort their companions with kisses and hugs when they’re distressed.
The drongos come to act like the police, sometimes protecting the people and sometimes taking from them.
There’s a bear who eats flowers and scratches his body up against a tree. He wears an expression of great happiness; I’d like to try both of those things.
Me too!
Franz Marc, The First Animals, 1913.
Animals are a fascinating subject per se. If a talented writer observes and describes them — moreover, illustrates the book herself — you are in for a treat, and that is exactly what I experienced. I am indebted to Hebe Uhart for reminding me how much I adore nature books and for recommending a few titles I would love to explore further.
Animals offers not only a plethora of amusing and astounding fun facts but also quite a lot of food for thought. Aside from animals, the author depicts humans obsessed with them and I enjoyed their hilarious portrayals. The two things that bothered me were a few repetitions and Hebe Uhart's fascination with zoos which I find depressing.
Just a few extracts to give you a foretaste. Believe me, I had a hard time selecting as there were so many intriguing passages:
Among siamang gibbons, both males and females vocalize. From this vocalization, it’s possible to perceive not only their whereabouts but also the degree of integration and harmony between the pair. If their song doesn’t move to the beat, if they aren’t in tune, the neighbors will invade.
Studies have found that the better a male [a bird of paradise] is at dancing and the better he is at building and decorating his nest, the higher his rate of reproduction will be. A male who is an excellent dancer and builder/decorator will have more chances to bring forth progeny, and his offspring will no doubt inherit the same abilities.
These anthropoids [chimpanzees] can take care of a wounded comrade, and they’ll gather fruit for their oldest members who can no longer do so. Chimpanzees will comfort their companions with kisses and hugs when they’re distressed.
The drongos come to act like the police, sometimes protecting the people and sometimes taking from them.
There’s a bear who eats flowers and scratches his body up against a tree. He wears an expression of great happiness; I’d like to try both of those things.
Me too!
Franz Marc, The First Animals, 1913.
January 16, 2018
Este libro reúne una serie de crónicas, y podríamos arriesgar ensayos, en los que la autora reflexiona sobre distintos animales que conoció en su infancia, en un paseo cotidiano por su ciudad o en algún viaje. Es interesante su visión sobre los zoológicos que visitó a lo largo de su vida y cómo cree que estos son un reflejo de la sociedad en la que están insertos. Animales es un libro muy sencillo que se lee muy rápido pero muy valioso para quienes amamos a los animales y disfrutamos conociendo más acerca de ellos. Se nota la pasión y la curiosidad que Hebe Uhart tiene sobre el tema y todo lo que ha leído enriquece las páginas de este libro. Este es mi primer acercamiento a la autora y planeo continuar, esta vez, con su ficción.
July 27, 2021
It's pleasant enough, while also being completely forgettable and ultimately somewhat empty. The animals featured here are largely birds, but they don't do anything memorable enough to warrant any special inclusion — they're just birds and the "stories" strung around them are really just descriptions, albeit nicely written ones. Hardly compelling reading.
July 30, 2021
Hebe Uhart’s Animals can be summed up in one word: delightful.
The 212 page book is like a marriage between Animal Planet and a conversation with a friend, in fact, within its pages Uhart describes the second-century Roman writer and teacher Aelian as the Animal Planet of his time. The pensive tone of the book in many ways reminded me of French author Muriel Barbery’s writing, which is perhaps fitting given the authors’ shared backgrounds in philosophy.
A central theme throughout the book is an exploration of protectionist versus conservationist thinking. As described by “Francsico” within the book:
“As scholars of birds and animals, we are generally divided into two camps, the conservationists and the protectionists…[conservationists] don’t get hung up over the well-being of individuals within a species but are inclined toward species conservation. In the case of pests, for example the beavers that destroy other species, we don’t hesitate about killing them. A protectionist won’t kill a beaver even if it’s a pest that’s destroying the environment. In general, though not always, protectionism is related to vegetarianism and veganism.”
Each chapter functions as its own anecdote, varying between childhood memories, wandering thoughts, collected research, and interviews with animal experts throughout South America. One of the beauties of the book is that it recognizes that expertise does not come from a degree - while Uhart’s interview subjects certainly include academics, they also include indigenous peoples, amateur animal enthusiasts, dog walkers, and more. The result is a mosaic of views that is grounded not only in research on animal intelligence but also in indigenous thinking, superstition, and popular beliefs. Animals creates a rounded view on animal life that is guaranteed to provide a new perspective on the relation between human animals, as homo sapiens are dubbed in this collection, and the rest of the animalia kingdom.
The 212 page book is like a marriage between Animal Planet and a conversation with a friend, in fact, within its pages Uhart describes the second-century Roman writer and teacher Aelian as the Animal Planet of his time. The pensive tone of the book in many ways reminded me of French author Muriel Barbery’s writing, which is perhaps fitting given the authors’ shared backgrounds in philosophy.
A central theme throughout the book is an exploration of protectionist versus conservationist thinking. As described by “Francsico” within the book:
“As scholars of birds and animals, we are generally divided into two camps, the conservationists and the protectionists…[conservationists] don’t get hung up over the well-being of individuals within a species but are inclined toward species conservation. In the case of pests, for example the beavers that destroy other species, we don’t hesitate about killing them. A protectionist won’t kill a beaver even if it’s a pest that’s destroying the environment. In general, though not always, protectionism is related to vegetarianism and veganism.”
Each chapter functions as its own anecdote, varying between childhood memories, wandering thoughts, collected research, and interviews with animal experts throughout South America. One of the beauties of the book is that it recognizes that expertise does not come from a degree - while Uhart’s interview subjects certainly include academics, they also include indigenous peoples, amateur animal enthusiasts, dog walkers, and more. The result is a mosaic of views that is grounded not only in research on animal intelligence but also in indigenous thinking, superstition, and popular beliefs. Animals creates a rounded view on animal life that is guaranteed to provide a new perspective on the relation between human animals, as homo sapiens are dubbed in this collection, and the rest of the animalia kingdom.
September 4, 2022
This wonderful book fulfills it title. Short chapters which tell little stories about how the author meets people who study or raise or live with animals.
Hebe Uhart is curious, asks all the needful questions and her love of both animals and people shines through.
Reading this book just made me feel happy. Being in Argentina's wild places was a joy.
Hebe Uhart is curious, asks all the needful questions and her love of both animals and people shines through.
Reading this book just made me feel happy. Being in Argentina's wild places was a joy.
January 27, 2021
Animals and birds are weird and wonderful, eccentric, full of personality and such a joy to observe! Their quirkiness, many unusual facts and observations are the premise of this engrossing book. The author includes many topics such as how animals interact amongst their own species, other animals and humans; the lengths they go to to survive; their incredible cleverness and their keen ability (and desire!) to learn.
The author describes a love for zoology which was heightened because of a wonderful teacher...if you are passionate about a subject, you want to do well and learn more. This compendium also includes expressions and sayings relating to animals. Many parts about this book stand out to me and include the meerkat aunt who will find scorpions for her nieces and nephews but remove the stinger for them first, which animals/birds will enter a house, the way a type of lapwing ensures intruders can't escape their nests, birds capable of tying knots, the special ability of the albino cobra and the crow which hides thousands and thousands of bits of food scattered over many kilometers and remember where they are.
We don't give critters enough credit in my opinion. As a nature person who loves nothing better than being immersed in a forest for hours, nature always astonishes me. My weirdest sighting ever was once late at night seeing and thankfully photographing a large hedgehog snuggled against an enormous toad of the same size, licking it all over. The toad shifted a bit but nothing more. They sat directly below the yard light so were easy to see. Early the next morning there was no sign of either. I would love to know what this meant. This book is about behaviours and odd stories like this.
Animal and bird lovers will find loads to inform them in this short book. It would also be wonderful reading for those who simply enjoy learning. Fascinating, fascinating stuff.
My sincere thank you to Archipelago and NetGalley for providing me with this fabulous book!
The author describes a love for zoology which was heightened because of a wonderful teacher...if you are passionate about a subject, you want to do well and learn more. This compendium also includes expressions and sayings relating to animals. Many parts about this book stand out to me and include the meerkat aunt who will find scorpions for her nieces and nephews but remove the stinger for them first, which animals/birds will enter a house, the way a type of lapwing ensures intruders can't escape their nests, birds capable of tying knots, the special ability of the albino cobra and the crow which hides thousands and thousands of bits of food scattered over many kilometers and remember where they are.
We don't give critters enough credit in my opinion. As a nature person who loves nothing better than being immersed in a forest for hours, nature always astonishes me. My weirdest sighting ever was once late at night seeing and thankfully photographing a large hedgehog snuggled against an enormous toad of the same size, licking it all over. The toad shifted a bit but nothing more. They sat directly below the yard light so were easy to see. Early the next morning there was no sign of either. I would love to know what this meant. This book is about behaviours and odd stories like this.
Animal and bird lovers will find loads to inform them in this short book. It would also be wonderful reading for those who simply enjoy learning. Fascinating, fascinating stuff.
My sincere thank you to Archipelago and NetGalley for providing me with this fabulous book!
July 4, 2023
Maravillosas, ingeniosas, interesantes, estas crónicas de la admirable Hebe Uhart en torno al reino de los animales son pleno goce literario, son un descanso para la mente, son el equivalente literario del disfrute de ponerse a contemplar un caminito de hormigas o el picoteo errático de un pajarito sobre unas semillas. Pero en su tarea de cronista Hebe no solo se queda en el relato de viajes, en la anécdota interesante o en el dato curioso. Además de todo esto en Animales recurre al procedimiento de la intertextualidad y traza un recorrido fascinante por obras y autores que se han ocupado del tema de los animales: desde los textos de Eliano en el siglo II, pasando por las obras de Humboldt, el Walden de Thoreau, los libros de Hudson, Historia de pájaros de Villafañe, hasta llegar a obras tan exóticas como el Fantástico aviario de Sir William McCrow. Así, Hebe despliega frente a nuestros ojos un verdadero panorama enciclopédico de lo que se ha dicho y todavía queda por decirse sobre los peces, las aves, los mamíferos y todos nuestros pares animales en el planeta. Como le dice ella a Eliano, se lo digo yo a ella: Hebe Uhart es el Animal Planet de la literatura.
February 22, 2023
Un lindo libro en formato de capítulos cortos que varían entre memorias, ensayos breves y divagaciones científico-filosóficas sobre animales.
Me recuerda mucho a la estructura de Criaturas dispersas de Natalia Gelós, uno de mis libros favoritos. Este fue el primero que leí de Hebe Uhart y me parece una autora interesante al haber dedicado gran parte de su obra a la recapitulación de sus viajes.
El libro me gustó especialmente por ser estudiante de estos temas y, al mismo tiempo, hay cosas que no me gustaron justamente por estudiar estas cosas: algunos datos medio incorrectos, inferencias extrañas y ciertas comparaciones filosóficas que me generan dudas (y lo digo siendo amante de la filosofía y habiendo estudiado un poco de la carrera).
Más allá de estos comentarios, es un libro muy simpático, relajante y divertido, que cita muchos libros de los viejos naturalistas dignos de mencionar. Los dibujos hechos por la autora acompañan muy bien y lo hacen mucho más personal.
Me recuerda mucho a la estructura de Criaturas dispersas de Natalia Gelós, uno de mis libros favoritos. Este fue el primero que leí de Hebe Uhart y me parece una autora interesante al haber dedicado gran parte de su obra a la recapitulación de sus viajes.
El libro me gustó especialmente por ser estudiante de estos temas y, al mismo tiempo, hay cosas que no me gustaron justamente por estudiar estas cosas: algunos datos medio incorrectos, inferencias extrañas y ciertas comparaciones filosóficas que me generan dudas (y lo digo siendo amante de la filosofía y habiendo estudiado un poco de la carrera).
Más allá de estos comentarios, es un libro muy simpático, relajante y divertido, que cita muchos libros de los viejos naturalistas dignos de mencionar. Los dibujos hechos por la autora acompañan muy bien y lo hacen mucho más personal.
March 31, 2023
muchos relatos sobre animales. Algunas reflexiones interesantes como por ejemplo "cómo es que siendo el mono y el hombre prácticamente de la misma especie, hay tanta variedad de tamaño entre el gorila y los monos que caben en una mano. No hay hombres que quepan en la mano." Jajaja fue divertido por momentos. Otros no tanto. Pero está ok.
January 9, 2023
Es el primero que leo de Hebe. Quiero leer todos.
January 18, 2021
Hebe consigue, de forma completamente orgánica a su narración, la humanización de los animales y la animalización de los humanos.
Sabiendo jugar con los datos, las anécdotas y sus observaciones cotidianas; nos contagia el exotismo de la naturaleza y comportamiento de los animales. Las anécdotas delirantes de un papagayo, también lo son sobre el ornitólogo o la etóloga que visitó.
También lo hace a través del refranero popular latinoamericano, donde los animales están tan presentes: "Pura espuma, como el chajá", "Más chueco que loro a pie".
Pone en entredicho nuestra visión antropocéntrica del mundo, sirviéndose de un estilo literario lleno de humor, anécdotas ilarantes, lenguaje cotidiano y profundas reflexiones filosóficas.
Sabiendo jugar con los datos, las anécdotas y sus observaciones cotidianas; nos contagia el exotismo de la naturaleza y comportamiento de los animales. Las anécdotas delirantes de un papagayo, también lo son sobre el ornitólogo o la etóloga que visitó.
También lo hace a través del refranero popular latinoamericano, donde los animales están tan presentes: "Pura espuma, como el chajá", "Más chueco que loro a pie".
Pone en entredicho nuestra visión antropocéntrica del mundo, sirviéndose de un estilo literario lleno de humor, anécdotas ilarantes, lenguaje cotidiano y profundas reflexiones filosóficas.
July 15, 2022
An amazing book for someone who loves animals. Includes discussion of cultural and behavioral aspects of animals interactions among themselves and with people.
August 15, 2022
Este es mi primer libro de Hebe Uhart. Llegué a ella por el premio Manuel Rojas (me llamó la atención su nombre también, siento que es un falso palíndromo). Es un texto episódico, viñetas de a veces dos páginas, sobre, bueno, animales. Hay escasos perros y gatos, y muchos, muchos pájaros. El adjetivo "pajaril" comienza a colmarse de sentido a medida que se avanza y vamos conociendo especies nuevas (yo al comienzo buscaba fotos en Google de los pajaritos, pero ya luego de un rato dejó de volverse edificante). Uhart escribe con una suerte de distancia de observadora curiosa. Se cuela eso sí una subjetividad medio juguetona. Es buena para preguntarle cosas a la gente (casi siempre ornitólogos). Las viñetas sobre zoológicos me descolocaron un poco, pero muchas de ellas son más acerca de los humanos que sobre los (otros) animales que encontramos ahí. Me hice también de un par de buenas referencias bibliográficas que Uhart tira al pasar y que abren el apetito. El libro trae unos dibujos medio kafkianos de los animales hechos por la autora.
November 22, 2024
No es mi libro preferido de Hebe Uhart, pero en esta obra conocemos otra faceta de la autora, más ligado a la crónica que a su labor cómo cuentista. Considero que en "Animales" nos relata acerca de sus inquietudes, conocimientos (sin caer en lo grandilocuente, por el contrario, esboza humildad permitiendo postular a otros científicos/autores/profesionales, y presentándose cómo una mera curiosa con ganas de conocer y entender al mundo y a sus habitantes). Sobre todo, propone una nueva y bella manera de entender a los animales y salir de nuestro pedestal de que el humano está por encima de todo y de todos.
Nos permite tomar dimensión de todo lo que nos rodea y animarnos a investigar y conocer la vida.
Disfrute mucho esta lectura y sin dudas voy a seguir leyendo a Hebe.
Nos permite tomar dimensión de todo lo que nos rodea y animarnos a investigar y conocer la vida.
Disfrute mucho esta lectura y sin dudas voy a seguir leyendo a Hebe.
May 25, 2025
Si bien algunas historias se mencionan varias veces (cosa que, asumo, es responsabilidad de la editora) lo que no me deja de sorprender de esta autora es su habilidad para poner en primer plano cosas que a simple vista parecen muy chiquitas como, por ejemplo, un mono suspirando. Algo que parece poquita cosa se queda a vivir en tus recuerdos.
(apartado subjetivo) Me resulta loco cuando mis lecturas se superponen entre sí. Antes de leer este libro leí Un puñado de flechas, de María Gainza. En él se hace mención de los cuentos de Hebe Uhart y, también, de Walden, de Henry Thoreau (título que me anoté para leerlo en algún momento). Lo curioso fue que acá le dedicaron todo un apartado al Walden de Thoreau; será que existe un cierto entramado en todo y nosotros no lo podemos ver?
(apartado subjetivo) Me resulta loco cuando mis lecturas se superponen entre sí. Antes de leer este libro leí Un puñado de flechas, de María Gainza. En él se hace mención de los cuentos de Hebe Uhart y, también, de Walden, de Henry Thoreau (título que me anoté para leerlo en algún momento). Lo curioso fue que acá le dedicaron todo un apartado al Walden de Thoreau; será que existe un cierto entramado en todo y nosotros no lo podemos ver?
June 4, 2025
Como gran amadora de los animales. ¿Cómo no tener un libro dedicado a ellos?
Este libro es una colección de crónicas en la que la autora presenta nuestra relación con los animales desde un punto de vista reflexivo, curioso, gracioso. Algunos de los relatos son experiencias personales como entrevistas que le realizó a diferentes profesionales, otros son observaciones o referencias culturales.
Más allá de la descripción de algunos animales (acompañados por bocetos propios de la autora), estas crónicas proponen una reflexión que me gusta mucho: cómo los animales se ven representados en nuestra lengua, literatura, cultura y vida cotidiana.
Este libro es una colección de crónicas en la que la autora presenta nuestra relación con los animales desde un punto de vista reflexivo, curioso, gracioso. Algunos de los relatos son experiencias personales como entrevistas que le realizó a diferentes profesionales, otros son observaciones o referencias culturales.
Más allá de la descripción de algunos animales (acompañados por bocetos propios de la autora), estas crónicas proponen una reflexión que me gusta mucho: cómo los animales se ven representados en nuestra lengua, literatura, cultura y vida cotidiana.
October 8, 2024
A delightful little book filled with reflections about animals. Hebe Uhart really runs the gamut with some of the sections being based in scientific observation through conversations with naturalists, some being based in history, and some being more playful and nodding to an imagined interactions among animals. Uhart’s main focus are birds and monkeys although other types of animals are mentioned. I learned quite a lot about animals and was particularly fascinated to learn about communication between primates.
April 14, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
Animals is the sort of book one should really like, but I found it hard to really get into. The author picked stories, and random tidbits, but sometimes tidbits went on for too long. I think I'd prefer a paperback rather than an ebook when it comes to this one.
Animals is the sort of book one should really like, but I found it hard to really get into. The author picked stories, and random tidbits, but sometimes tidbits went on for too long. I think I'd prefer a paperback rather than an ebook when it comes to this one.
March 7, 2023
Hebe nos cuenta en esta crónica todo lo que sabe, ve, lee y escucha de los animales. Desde el monte a los zoológicos.
Con su mirada curiosa nos plantea preguntas sobre la lógica de los animales, sus sentimientos, sus aspectos y gerarquias.
Es una perspectiva nueva y refrescante que nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo vemos esos seres con los que compartimos tierra.
Con su mirada curiosa nos plantea preguntas sobre la lógica de los animales, sus sentimientos, sus aspectos y gerarquias.
Es una perspectiva nueva y refrescante que nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo vemos esos seres con los que compartimos tierra.
September 26, 2025
Amé cada uno de estos relatos. Los disfruté como una caja de bombones, todos los días probando uno. Un remedio contra los días malos: elegir un cuento al azar y dejar que baje la marea. Hebe tiene el poder de recordarnos lo maravilloso que es estar vivos, y en este caso particular, lo similares que somos los humanos a los animales en lo cotidiano.
July 28, 2024
Me deja intrigada para leer sus cuentos. Es graciosa, llevadera de leer, aunque es un poco reiterativa y quizás pone demasiada opinión en cada cosa que dice. Es una crónica muy subjetiva, casi un diario.
August 29, 2021
Animals rock(s)
November 30, 2021
Con su libro me di cuenta que los animales son más humanos que nosotros mismos!
March 2, 2024
Te amo con todo mi corazón, Hebe Uhart.
((siento que este libro se complementa muy bien con la lectura de 'cuando el lobo viva con el cordero' de Vinciane Despret))
((siento que este libro se complementa muy bien con la lectura de 'cuando el lobo viva con el cordero' de Vinciane Despret))
September 17, 2024
It's quite charming... as far as it goes. Delightfully written, a collection of bits and tidbits, observations and asides on a variety of birds and animals.
December 25, 2024
Es el mejor libro del mundo aunque flojea al final. Me lo leí 3 veces
October 9, 2023
This charming little book caught my eye in my local public library. It is a little collection of little stories/essays about animals and the people who care for them (zoo keepers, park rangers, pet owners). The author also littered her book with little sketches of various Argentine birds. Her sketch of the chimango caracara (a sort of falcon, look it up) on the cover is what caught my eye. I say "stories/essays" because it's not clear which these are, how much of each narrative is fact or fiction. The ambiguity would be fine if the writing reflected the peculiarities and wonder of the animals and their humans, but the writing does not. The language is largely pedestrian, lyrical it is not. On the other hand, the book served for me as a sort of field guide to the fauna of the southern cone of South America. Uhart names each animal without reference or explanation, suggesting that they are common and familiar denizens of Argentina. I live in, currently writing this review in, the northern temperate zone on the opposite end of the Americas from Argentina, and these species' names are totally unfamiliar to me. I looked up each one in turn and confirmed each was as common and familiar in southern South America as cottontail rabbits and American crows are in northern North America. There are animals clearly ecologically equivalent to, or evolutionarily related to, animals in my neighborhood. But there are many animals that are not: e.g. the tiny brocket deer, and the seriema, a predatory bird that hunts down its prey on foot rather than by wing. This book is perhaps a slightly more literary way than a natural history guide to remind me of the similarities and differences between faraway parts of our world.
September 23, 2022
Charming.
Reading "Animals" is sort of like listening to your most scintillating friend talk to you about, well, animals. Mostly birds, admittedly, but also monkeys, a little about anteaters, and more.
It's not a book of plot, then. It's also not quite a work of research. Essays, perhaps. Brief essays on one woman's interest in animals, and birds in particular. You're meant to take her word for the facts she passes along, but as you would in conversation, not as a primary source.
But it's the style that is the joy here, that conversational tone, that eagerness of our narrator to learn more. And whether we see it as learning or not, it's hard to stop listening. Not really a strong choice for the plot-based reader, but delightful for those who read for the artifice of it.
Reading "Animals" is sort of like listening to your most scintillating friend talk to you about, well, animals. Mostly birds, admittedly, but also monkeys, a little about anteaters, and more.
It's not a book of plot, then. It's also not quite a work of research. Essays, perhaps. Brief essays on one woman's interest in animals, and birds in particular. You're meant to take her word for the facts she passes along, but as you would in conversation, not as a primary source.
But it's the style that is the joy here, that conversational tone, that eagerness of our narrator to learn more. And whether we see it as learning or not, it's hard to stop listening. Not really a strong choice for the plot-based reader, but delightful for those who read for the artifice of it.
April 7, 2020
La célebre escritora argentina, en su particular manera de narrar, reúne en este libro historias donde el tema central son aves, mamíferos y reptiles. “Animales” es un bella colección de relatos plagados de agudas observaciones sobre la naturaleza con la cuota precisa de humor y acompañados de dibujos realizados por la propia Hebe.
April 10, 2022
Anecdotal and a bit disjointed
Chapters seemed all over the place and not any logical or smooth transition between different stories. Some things were repetitive. And more than once, while interviewing someone, a questioned was asked and the answer didn’t relate to the question.
Disappointing.
Chapters seemed all over the place and not any logical or smooth transition between different stories. Some things were repetitive. And more than once, while interviewing someone, a questioned was asked and the answer didn’t relate to the question.
Disappointing.
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