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Setting the Family Free
“A supremely moving novel by turns ferocious and tender and funny from beginning to end. Goodman’s finest book.”
— Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
“A generous, boisterous, surprising read, like a tiger in your back yard.”
— Jacquelyn Mitchard, The Deep End of the Ocean
The loner who collects unusual things. The private reserve of exotic pets released into a rural Ohio community. The estranged wife who loves the animals like family. The caretaker who knows the beasts are dangerous. The neighbors and locals who fall victim to attack. The reporters who present the incidents to the world. The Sheriff and his team of experts who must hunt the creatures down. The animal advocate who winces at the spectacle. The celebrity zookeeper who knows what must be done.
This expanding story unfolds through the innovative use of multiple narratives, news broadcasts, newspaper articles, press conferences, political tapes, and quotes from experts, eyewitnesses, and those closest to the unfolding events. Who are the heroes; who are the victims? Who decides?
Advance Praise for Setting the Family Free
“A supremely moving novel by turns ferocious and tender and funny from beginning to end. Goodman’s finest book.”
— Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
“A generous, boisterous, surprising read, like a tiger in your back yard.”
— Jacquelyn Mitchard, The Deep End of the Ocean
“Warm, poignant, funny, and suspenseful.”
— Lucrecia Guerrero, Tree of Sighs
“A good read under the Big Top of a fine craftsman’s imagination.”
— Rafael Alvarez, The Fountain of Highlandtown
“One of Baltimore’s most riveting and prolific writers.”
— Katherine Cottle, The Hidden Heart of Charm City
“Part fable, part meditation, and total page-turner . . . at once funny, terrifying, and sometimes heartbreaking . . . rare and wonderful.”
— Jerry Holt, The Killing of Strangers
“A good read written by a thoughtful and skilled writer.”
— Bathsheba Monk, Nude Walker
“A rollicking story of things getting out of control . . . vivid as the nightly news!”
— Charles Rammelkamp, Mata Hari: Eye of the Day
“Wild, wonderful, well written, and highly original. It's a jungle out there in this page-turner novel.”
— Toby Devens, Happy Any Day Now
“A gripping read. This book will stay in my mind for years to come.”
— Tom Glenn, Last of the Annamese
“Every year, humans kill 50 billion animals for meat. Now, thanks to Goodman’s Setting the Family Free, the animals are eating us . . .”
— Mark Mirabello, Ph.D, Handbook for Rebels and Outlaws
— Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
“A generous, boisterous, surprising read, like a tiger in your back yard.”
— Jacquelyn Mitchard, The Deep End of the Ocean
The loner who collects unusual things. The private reserve of exotic pets released into a rural Ohio community. The estranged wife who loves the animals like family. The caretaker who knows the beasts are dangerous. The neighbors and locals who fall victim to attack. The reporters who present the incidents to the world. The Sheriff and his team of experts who must hunt the creatures down. The animal advocate who winces at the spectacle. The celebrity zookeeper who knows what must be done.
This expanding story unfolds through the innovative use of multiple narratives, news broadcasts, newspaper articles, press conferences, political tapes, and quotes from experts, eyewitnesses, and those closest to the unfolding events. Who are the heroes; who are the victims? Who decides?
Advance Praise for Setting the Family Free
“A supremely moving novel by turns ferocious and tender and funny from beginning to end. Goodman’s finest book.”
— Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
“A generous, boisterous, surprising read, like a tiger in your back yard.”
— Jacquelyn Mitchard, The Deep End of the Ocean
“Warm, poignant, funny, and suspenseful.”
— Lucrecia Guerrero, Tree of Sighs
“A good read under the Big Top of a fine craftsman’s imagination.”
— Rafael Alvarez, The Fountain of Highlandtown
“One of Baltimore’s most riveting and prolific writers.”
— Katherine Cottle, The Hidden Heart of Charm City
“Part fable, part meditation, and total page-turner . . . at once funny, terrifying, and sometimes heartbreaking . . . rare and wonderful.”
— Jerry Holt, The Killing of Strangers
“A good read written by a thoughtful and skilled writer.”
— Bathsheba Monk, Nude Walker
“A rollicking story of things getting out of control . . . vivid as the nightly news!”
— Charles Rammelkamp, Mata Hari: Eye of the Day
“Wild, wonderful, well written, and highly original. It's a jungle out there in this page-turner novel.”
— Toby Devens, Happy Any Day Now
“A gripping read. This book will stay in my mind for years to come.”
— Tom Glenn, Last of the Annamese
“Every year, humans kill 50 billion animals for meat. Now, thanks to Goodman’s Setting the Family Free, the animals are eating us . . .”
— Mark Mirabello, Ph.D, Handbook for Rebels and Outlaws
310 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Eric D. Goodman
12 books46 followersEric D. Goodman is the author of seven books, including FARAWAY TABLES (Yorkshire Publishing, 2024), WRECKS AND RUINS (Loyola University's Apprentice House Press, 2022), THE COLOR OF JADEITE (Loyola’s Apprentice House Press, 2020), SETTING THE FAMILY FREE (Apprentice House, 2019), WOMB: A NOVEL IN UTERO (Merge Publishing, 2017), TRACKS: A NOVEL IN STORIES (Atticus Books, 2011) and FLIGHTLESS GOOSE (Writer’s Lair Books, 2008).
Born in San Jose, California, Eric has lived in the Maryland for the past 20 years. More than 100 of his short stories, articles, and travel stories have been published in journals, magazines, and periodicals. He is co-founder of the Lit & Art Reading Series, Baltimore’s longest-running literary salon. Learn more about Eric and his writing:
www.EricDGoodman.com
www.Facebook.com/EricDGoodman.
Born in San Jose, California, Eric has lived in the Maryland for the past 20 years. More than 100 of his short stories, articles, and travel stories have been published in journals, magazines, and periodicals. He is co-founder of the Lit & Art Reading Series, Baltimore’s longest-running literary salon. Learn more about Eric and his writing:
www.EricDGoodman.com
www.Facebook.com/EricDGoodman.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 26, 2019
In this suspenseful tale of dangerous animals on the loose, the people who love them, and the people who hunt them down, Eric D. Goodman again shows his prowess as an unconventional storyteller. Along with a traditional narrative, he adds chapters of isolated comments, the transcript of a news broadcast, and the thoughts of exotic animals that have been freed with dozens of their fellow inmates from Sammy Johnson’s private zoo. Seeing events through the eyes of the animals is fascinating, but the people make the novel truly engaging as they grapple with questions of why Sammy set the animals free and what they should do now. It’s a compelling story told by a skillful, adventurous writer
June 23, 2021
One of the most realistic, but sensitive books I've ever read.
January 5, 2020
This book had me hooked from page one. Well written, suspenseful and very realistic. Points of view of this event given for all parties involved. It was a pleasure to have a book with no unanswered questions in the end. I found myself thinking twice and scanning the neighborhood while walking to the mailbox one night in the dark. It’s the fourth well written book written by Eric D Goodman and I recommend all of them.
October 17, 2019
Setting the Family Free is a quality novel
You may have wondered how the world looks through the eyes of an animal. This novel offers that world view and more.
While reading the story, you find yourself asking more and more questions. Eric isn't offering quick solutions, but a page-turner adventure and thoughts on animals and their relationship to people.
You may have wondered how the world looks through the eyes of an animal. This novel offers that world view and more.
While reading the story, you find yourself asking more and more questions. Eric isn't offering quick solutions, but a page-turner adventure and thoughts on animals and their relationship to people.
October 16, 2019
Not an everyday story and far from what I expected at the first glance.
The author illustrates the whole "accident" from different angles, and we (readers) never know what is the right thing to do.
Personally, I'm with the animals.
The author illustrates the whole "accident" from different angles, and we (readers) never know what is the right thing to do.
Personally, I'm with the animals.
October 22, 2019
Wow! Changing the way the story is told from chapter to chapter really made this a fun read.
The sections with quotes and interviews really painted parts of the story without making it part of the narrative.
The sections with quotes and interviews really painted parts of the story without making it part of the narrative.
January 6, 2020
The strength of Eric Goodman’s writing lies not just in the story, but in the voice and in the lush everyday details that make the characters real people.
November 18, 2021
Wow. This author started with an interesting premise and ruined it with execution (pun intended.) The descriptions are lacking. The characters are undeveloped. The animal behavior is ridiculous. The carnage is unsatisfying. I am a huge fan of man vs. nature plots but this one is laughably bad and even weak from a humor standpoint- shoot-em-up writing with animals.
If you are considering it, I suggest A Friend of the Earth by T. C. Boyle instead.
If you are considering it, I suggest A Friend of the Earth by T. C. Boyle instead.
May 24, 2022
I devoured this novel in two days. A fast paced read that’s a wild ride from beginning to the end. A wonderful mixture of interviews and live action sequences that was just perfection. 🤩
I loved it. Just do yourself a favour and pick it up. It’s fantastic.
I loved it. Just do yourself a favour and pick it up. It’s fantastic.
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April 1, 2021Has Amazon gone WILD?
This novel about dangerous animals, vulnerable people, and how they collide is now ON SALE AT AMAZON.
Both the hardcover and paperback prices are SLASHED by more than half. Also available as an eBook.
Find out why this book has been praised by authors like Jacquelyn Mitchard and Junot Díaz!
This novel about dangerous animals, vulnerable people, and how they collide is now ON SALE AT AMAZON.
Both the hardcover and paperback prices are SLASHED by more than half. Also available as an eBook.
Find out why this book has been praised by authors like Jacquelyn Mitchard and Junot Díaz!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews