Animal

by Alexandra Leggat

In a style reminiscent of Raymond Carver, the stories contained in Animal depict people on the brink of major life change. They stand at crossroads they are often oblivious to; they suck thick air in rooms filled with palpable tension. Leggat’s characters often seem captured in a cinematic slo-mo, teetering on the edge of something unknown, heroically resisting the ever-present pull of Fate. It matters little whether the characters take action or refuse to act; life acts for them. The reader is left to wonder: When does “meaning” cease to have meaning? Like travelling a mountain highway at night, what’s just around the next bend is never known. The stories in Animal never fail to deliver potent surprises.

Genres: Short Stories

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Alexandra Leggat’s Animal is about more than abortions and puppies. In fact, I know it’s also about uneven expectations in relationships, compromises, and the lies that appearances belie, but when I think of my overall impression what comes to mind are abortions and dogs. I don’t even think the short story collection has a single story with an abortion in it (miscarriages, yes) but somehow many of them contain the same kind of sadness: aborted love, aborted futures, aborted choices. As for dogs, characters routinely long for particular dogs. Not in the way a teenage girl longs for a prom date, but in the way older women long to return to their younger bodies so as to live in them with pride and confidence: that is, a frustrated, anxious and sad kind of longing. I’m not sure why it’s dogs they long for, and not, say, other people. Perhaps because the collection as a whole suggests other people ought not to be trusted, ought not to be relied upon, because they will inevitably be selfish.

I preferred stories in the middle section of the collection - no good reason why. On the whole I felt too many of the stories ended with a “This is a very symbolic ending!” kind of wrap-up, and that characters received uneven development. All the same, the rich thematic scope and some brilliant descriptions of suffering women makes the collection a worthwhile read if you’re into depressing scenes in bathtubs.

[Laksmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved when it was good and despised alot of the opening sentences because short story collections simply do that.

As a dog lover, woman who loves being alone and a once aspiring NFL player, this feels comfortable and personal to read. but it didn't do more than validate and acknowledge those aspects of my life. I was hoping for more thought provoking....

[Erica Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories were not memorable, but I enjoyed reading them. Exceptions to the not memorable rule are Tourniquet, Blue Parrot, Fuselage and Sweet Tea. This is a collection that people who like short stories will like, but I imagine the novel-lovers will find somewhat disjointed and atonal. Still, there’s a subtle quality, maybe something honest and genuine, sometimes ugly, but not gratuitous, that makes me think that I would pick up another one of her collections if I came across it in a bookstore in the right mood.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story collection
Hey pretty good! I really like the fishing one where the guy was sexually attracted to fish but also cursed with being the worlds greatest fisher. And I liked the one about the girl who kept lucid dreaming that she was an Indianapolis colt because of an unhealthy football obsession and her bf sent her to therapy and the therapist turned out to be a football fan too and used her for betting advice instead of helping her fix the crippling obsession that was ruining her life.
Quick fire mode:
1. I liked the old man who was addicted to getting hat bag so he arranged his wife’s marriage
Wow that was a quick fire.

[Catlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Corinne Wasilewski · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of oh-so-serious short stories with its heart on its sleeve. Loneliness, sorrow, regret, disappointment -- they're all here in abundance and proliferating like a field of dandelion gone to seed. It was too much for me. Way, way too much for me. I keep my emotions in a clay pot by the window and I pinch off the dead blossoms before they can seed:)

[Kari Burk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of short stories. The author is imaginative and , emotionally intelligent and funny.

[Gordon Muir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent short stories. Very engaging and thought provoking.