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There are currently 26 member reviews
for Bad Animals
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Becky H. (Manassas, VA)
a disturbing read
I have given BAD ANIMALS a couple days to "sit with me" before writing this review. I'm still not sure how I feel about the book. It was well written, the story was mostly engaging; but I didn't like any of the main characters. I can't decide if Maeve was just a total innocent caught up in circumstances beyond her control or she was a jaded and cynical psychopath who attempted to destroy a child. Or maybe the child was the psychopath who attempted to destroy the adult Maeve. I am certain Harrison was a cynical "user" of people for his own enjoyment and financial gain. Poor Jack was caught in the middle of Harrison and Maeve's shenanigan's and the ultimate loser. The other librarians were simply there for the author's ability to tell the story.
So, would I recommend this book to another reader? Maybe? Maybe not? Would I have finished the book if I wasn't writing a review? NO, I would have given it maybe 100 pages instead of my usual 50 before dropping it, but I wouldn't have finished it. But maybe would I have, if only to find out what ultimately happened to Libby, the only character I cared about.
So, 4 stars for writing. 2 stars for story.
3 stars for the total book.
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Jodi S. (Goldens Bridge, NY)
Just Okay
After reading a brief description, I really wanted to love Bad Animals. It sounded so interesting and fun. But I didn't love it. It was good, but not great for me. I didn't really like any of the characters (well maybe Willie) and all of it just seemed so unbelievable. I did like the writing style, but just not really the story itself.
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Gina T. (Natick, MA)
Self deception
I really wanted to love this novel. There was much to enjoy. My favorite part was the obvious love letter to libraries, authors, and librarians. The author did a wonderful job describing the awe, joy and importance of libraries in our society. She also portrayed a nuanced and realistic Maine setting.
As a person who frequently visits Maine, her capture of the essence of the area was spot on.( I do realize she teaches in Maine, but still)
The part that fell flat for me was the plot. It seemed contrived, forced and lost my attention. I think the point she was trying to make with " bad animals" was too predictable. Perhaps if she wrote more on a complete descent into madness, or more detail with supporting characters , the novel could have been great. Also, in my opinion, the title is poor…seems like it is trying to be hip.
The bottom line is that I liked the novel but I was ultimately disappointed .
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Nancy L. (Staunton, VA)
Forgettable
Maeve Cosgrove is a middle-aged woman who is married and the mother of an adult daughter. She has been employed in her city's library for some years and has created some interesting programs in her designated area. Her life, as she knows it, collapses when she is laid off from her job and she feels rescued when a well-known author arrives at his seacoast home and takes an interest in her. I am the kind of reader who can be hooked and reeled in either by a good plot or interesting characters that I can care about, but "Bad Animals" contained neither. Maeve is in a world of her own, in thrall to a famous writer while in denial about her lay off as a librarian. I kept waiting for a deepening of her character so I could root for her, but, unfortunately, I never really warmed to her. Indeed, I felt that none of the characters were fully formed and were forgettable. Even the plot seemed non-existent, and I felt the story line seemed to limp along. Altogether a forgettable book for me.
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Julie M. (Coon Rapids, MN)
Who are these people?
I didn't care for this book. I thought the characters weren't relatable at all and very unlikeable. The disgraced Maeve started out strong, but she deteriorated fast. Also I thought the ending was unbelievable.
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