Animal Wrongs

by Stephen Spotte

Historical fiction and preposterous legal arguments intertwine in Stephen Spotte’s electric new novel Animal Wrongs, set in a medieval French courtroom where animals are put on trial for “crimes” against mankind. Sixteenth-century lawyers fill the air with bluster, heckled and cheered by spectators as they defend or prosecute accused animals facing penalties of being hanged or burned alive at the stake. Spotte deftly unveils a story of opposing attorneys facing off against each other in ever-more opaque, convoluted, and dilatory trials. By the end of this novel, Spotte uses his considerable, critically-acclaimed storytelling skills to explore still-relevent theories on legal precedent, the church vs. the state, mankind’s place in nature, and animal rights. Bears in the Backyard author Ed Riccuti notes, “Threaded with unique and sardonic humor, full and powerful, ANIMAL WRONGS is an off-beat exploration of human nature.” And Library Journal raves, "Spotte is a master storyteller."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy

386 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2021

About the author

Stephen Spotte, a marine scientist born and raised in West Virginia, is the author of 23 books including seven works of fiction and two memoirs. Spotte has also published more than 80 papers on marine biology, ocean chemistry and engineering, and aquaculture. His field research has encompassed the Canadian Arctic, Bering Sea, West Indies, Indo-West Pacific, Central America, and the Amazon basin of Ecuador and Brazil. ANIMAL WRONGS is his fifth novel. He lives in Longboat Key, Florida.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won an ARC via a giveaway at Librarything.

Spotte’s Animal Wrongs is one of those clever books that does not bludgeon you to death with its cleverness. Spotte’s book makes use of trials that occurred in the Middle Ages when animals were put on trial for things like eating grain stores. In fact, the set up of the book mirrors works from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The two lawyers are at the center of the novel, Chassenee and Revigny, were real lawyers who did take part in such cases.

That, however, is only one level of the novel’s cleverness.

Another clever aspect is the use of the two lawyers, who in many ways free like a darker, more cynical less hopeful versions of Crowley and Aziraphale. It’s not a complete comparison. Chassenee isn’t an angel but any definition. Yet, there is that same sense of two who should be on opposites sides, but pick a third side. In part, they function also as Dante and Virgil in a strange side trip as well. In many ways, it is the relationship between these two men

Another level of clever is the use of an actual trial to not only examine the rights of animals but also the ills of society. He makes use of scripture and philosophy. There are interesting scientific tidbits as well that are used to contrast with the beliefs in the Middle Ages, so you actually learn something when reading this novel.

It might help when reading to have some familiarity with the Middle Ages as well as with Medieval writing. In general, however, this amusing and clever book. It is the first book I have read by Spotte, but it will not be the last.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting--a sharp humorous take on medieval law with the protagonist acting as defense attorney to a rat, pig, and a man thought to be a werewolf. The prosecutor was a demon, who had once in real life been a noted lawyer. Each case was more and more bizarre and the story consisted of long-winded minutiae and digressions. The humor was artificial. I felt the author was forcing himself to be funny. I was tempted to abandon the novel, but I did skim it to the end. On the whole, I rate the novel as mediocre. I do thank LibraryThing for an ARC.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction meets humor in this witty book about putting animals on trial for their crimes against society. The idea of putting animals on trial is foreign in the world we live in now, but during the middle ages animals would be brought to court. It explores this moment in history and uses humor to capture the ideology and way of life during this time period. Chassenee and Revigny's relationship as rival lawyers keeps readers on their toes and laughing constantly. Revigny's demonic nature captures the way that society viewed and still views lawyers today. While filled with humor this book still manges to provoke conversation around law and justice.

[Anastacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a strange book, and I requested it only because I thought a rat on trial in the Middle Ages sounded funny. In this book there is a man named Chassene, and he is a lawyer. There are three trials in this book: a rat, a pig, and a werewolf. The shocking animal cruelty and cruelty towards peasants bothered me a bit, but I'm glad to live in Current Year. If you are Christian or Catholic, this book will be offensive, as there is a demon who likes to pontificate about God's "goodness." I would classify this book as fantasy.

[Lori Sinsel Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mid-evil look at the rights and wrongs of society. This is a story of two lawyers who go to trial with their clients who are animals. It is a clever look at what is wrong and correlates greatly with the wrongs in our society at the present time.
A strange but clever novel, that is quite entertaining at times, I would recommend to readers looking for something "off the beaten path" so to speak.
Thank you to author Stephen Spotte and Goodreads for the free ARC of this novel, I am leaving my honest review in return.

[Thomas Petri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Animal Wrongs by Stephen Spotte was awarded to me through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I googled animal trials in middle ages and, it really did happen. Animals were tried and even convicted of crimes, such as murder, beastiality, and other crimes, The absurdity of these trials questions the philosophy behind the modern criminal justice system. Capitol punishment, for instance. I thought it was well written and very persuasive. All-in-all, well worth reading, entertaining and, subtly, thought provoking.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[isitjefforzaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fairly easy and fun read