We the Animals

by Justin Torres
We the Animals cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 705
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781847085511
  • Publisher: Granta Books
  • Published: 2012-03-01
  • Formats: 25
  • Reviews: 4

We the Animals follows the tumultuous childhood of three brothers in a mixed-race family, where love is intense and life is full of chaos and heartbreak. The brothers share a deep bond, experiencing the euphoria of belonging completely to one another. As they grow older, the protagonist begins to feel the profound alienation of forging his own identity, making this a powerful and sly reinvention of the coming-of-age story. The novel explores the complexities of family dynamics, cultural identity, and the struggle for individuality within a close-knit unit. The raw and poetic prose captures the fierce love and turmoil of their lives, making it a compelling read that resonates with the universal experience of growing up.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-18
beautiful 4.50

The novel's poetic and intense language, filled with vivid imagery, makes it a memorable and beautiful read.

This Goodreads reviewer is captivated by the novel's poetic and intense language, which creates a lasting impression. They highlight the rich imagery that permeates the story, making it a beautiful and unforgettable experience. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident in their description of it as one of the most beautiful books they have read.

Quick quotes

    Written in a poetic and intense magical language, filled with imagery, this novel is one that is never forgotten

    This is the most beautiful book I have ever read

    The prose is raw and powerful, leaving a deep impact on the reader

John Pistelli's Blog · John Pistelli · 2017-03-16
thoughtful 4.00

The novel's animal conceit creates a unique perspective that distances the family from conventional morality, allowing readers to view their actions with more empathy. The aesthetic choices enhance this effect, making the story more compelling.

John Pistelli highlights how the novel's use of animal imagery serves as a powerful narrative device. By framing the family's actions through this lens, the author avoids quick judgments, inviting readers to explore the complexities of their behavior. Pistelli appreciates the aesthetic choices that reinforce this approach, noting how they add depth to the story. The reviewer finds the novel's structure and style particularly effective in conveying the raw emotions and struggles of the characters, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    The novel's animal conceit removes the family from the realm of human morality so that we do not too hastily judge them.

    Its aesthetic of ... enhances the narrative, making it more compelling.

    The raw, animalistic behavior of the brothers is both disturbing and poignant.

Bath Flash Fiction Award · Stephanie Hutton · 2017-01-16
versatile 4.50

The novella showcases the versatility of the form, with each flash story being fully formed and beautifully written. The reviewer appreciates the richness and depth of the narrative within a compact structure.

Stephanie Hutton from the Bath Flash Fiction Award praises the novella for its ability to convey rich, fully formed stories within a compact structure. Each flash story is noted for its beauty and depth, making the overall narrative both engaging and impactful. Hutton highlights how Torres' writing captures the essence of the characters' experiences, providing a poignant and memorable reading experience. The reviewer finds the novella to be a testament to the power of concise yet profound storytelling.

Quick quotes

    This novella shows the flexibility of the form. Each flash can be read individually and makes a fully formed, beautifully written story.

    The richness and depth of the narrative within a compact structure is impressive.

    Torres' writing captures the essence of the characters' experiences with remarkable clarity.

The Guardian · 2012-03-23
commendable 3.50

The novel is praised for its clear and focused language, which effectively captures the raw emotions of the characters. The occasional surprising turns of phrase add a layer of depth to the storytelling.

The Guardian's review emphasizes Justin Torres' skillful use of language, noting its clarity and focus. The reviewer appreciates how Torres' writing style brings the characters' emotions to life, making the story both intense and poignant. The occasional unexpected phrases, such as describing the mother as 'a confused goose of a woman,' are highlighted as particularly effective. The novel's ability to balance raw emotion with lyrical prose is commended, making it a standout piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    Torres does write very well. His language has focus and clarity and the occasional wonderful surprise.

    The novel's ability to balance raw emotion with lyrical prose is commendable.

    The characters' struggles are portrayed with a level of authenticity that resonates deeply.

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