Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett blends magical realism and heartfelt family dynamics. Critics praise its quirky characters, emotional depth, and humor, while some feel the narrative can be meandering and overly whimsical. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its originality and warmth, despite minor structural weaknesses.

Readers who enjoy quirky, poignant narratives with a blend of magical realism and humor will find Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett captivating. Fans of novels like A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple will appreciate the unique characters and touching storytelling.

Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett is a tragi-comic novel set in the fictional town of Everton, New Hampshire, during the opioid epidemic, where Emma Starling returns home to her eccentric family and a community grappling with issues, including her father Clive's hallucinations, her brother Auggie's recovery, and the disappearance of her best friend, Crystal, all narrated by the deceased residents of a local cemetery. The book references substance use disorder, mental illness, and suicide.

Humorous / Mysterious / Emotional / Heartwarming / Contemplative

- Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett features ghosts as part of the storyline, specifically, those who reside in an unusual graveyard where the main character's father is seeing visions.
- The book is set in the quaint fictional town of Everton, New Hampshire, influenced by real-life events and people from Hartnett’s research, adding a layer of historical curiosity to the narrative.
- Annie Hartnett's inspiration for Unlikely Animals partly came from her time as a writer-in-residence at an organic farm, which influenced the book's themes of nature and small-town life.

Annie Hartnett

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore Unlikely Animals and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Unlikely Animals Summary and Study Guide

Background

Unlikely Animals Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Dog”

Prologue-Part 1

Unlikely Animals Prologue-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Rabbits”

Part 2 Unlikely Animals Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Deer”

Part 3 Unlikely Animals Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Fox”

Part 4 Unlikely Animals Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “The Rooster (and the Frog)”

Part 5 Unlikely Animals Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “The Bears”

Part 6 Unlikely Animals Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “The Rats”

Part 7 Unlikely Animals Part 7 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Unlikely Animals Character Analysis

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Themes

Unlikely Animals Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Unlikely Animals Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Unlikely Animals Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Unlikely Animals Essay Topics

Unlikely Animals

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Unlikely Animals?

Reading Age

Book Details