Unlikely Animals, By Annie Hartnett

"A quirky, poignant novel about family, community and love for our animal friends"-The Washington Post

"A delightful mess of tenderness, grief and despair, but, most importantly, hope."-Kristen Arnett

This was a delightful, enchanting read. It is loosely based on Historical Fiction, that the Author exaggerated, ran with it, jumped upside down, twisted and turned it into a delightful, engaging, memorable read.

The book is based on the life of Ernest Harold Baynes, a deceased Naturalist, who allowed wild animals the opportunity to "live" in his home.

The book takes place in a small town, Everton, NH. Emma Starling, a medical school dropout, returns home, after a 4 month absence, to tell her family, she was accepted into medical school, but never attended. She arrives, to discover her Father, who was recently forced into retirement, as a college professor, in the early stages of Dementia, attempted to "corral the cats in the classroom", so he could continue his lecture.

I found the Author's exaggeration of the narrative amusing, captivating and I can't wait to hear what Clive is doing next. This a sensitive subject, and the Author uses it, to tell a vivid, poignant story of the stages of Dementia, and the effects on family and the larger community.

This book is best described as a tragicomedy in the warmest of touching, have a kleenex ready.... way.

Other Books by this Author:

Rabbit Cake 2017