Animal: A Novel

Written by Lisa Taddeo

Narrated by Emma Roberts

From Lisa Taddeo, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller and global phenomenon Three Women, comes an “intoxicating” (Entertainment Weekly), “fearless” (Los Angeles Times), and “explosive” (People) novel about “what happens when women are pushed beyond the brink, and what comes after the reckoning” (Esquire).

Joan has spent a lifetime enduring the cruelties of men. But when one of them commits a shocking act of violence in front of her, she flees New York City in search of Alice, the only person alive who can help her make sense of her past. In the sweltering hills above Los Angeles, Joan unravels the horrific event she witnessed as a child—that has haunted her every waking moment—while forging the power to finally strike back.

Animal is a depiction of female rage at its rawest, and a visceral exploration of the fallout from a male-dominated society.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jun 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797105017

Lisa Taddeo

Lisa Taddeo is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Three Women, which she is adapting as a dramatic series at Showtime, and the novel Animal. She has contributed to The New York Times, New York magazine, Esquire, Elle, Glamour, and many other publications. Her nonfiction has been included in the Best American Sports Writing and Best American Political Writing anthologies, and her short stories have won two Pushcart Prizes. She lives with her husband and daughter in New England. 

Reviews for Animal

[Nicole Hagood · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was well written and I enjoyed the writer's style and use of language. The main character (Joan) gave a good insight into how the " other woman" may think and I found it fascinating how the author navigated the complexity of her character's relationships making her both predator and prey. However, I was disappointed how the author took the tired worn out path of having Joan blame her childhood on her current bad choices. This turned what started out as a pretty interesting and introspective novel into one long " poor-me-I-had-a- messed-up-childhood-and-now- I-am-going-to -do-my-best-to-mess-up-as-many-people's-lives-as-possible-as-well-as-my-own fest."

Furthermore, I was disappointed the author's take on only two black characters in her novel. One character was very minor only appearing for a brief moment but was described as being a rude and loud black woman. The second black character was Kevin who was Joan's neighbor. Firstly, the author wrote Kevin as addressing Joan as "Miss Joan" even though they were nearly the same age and this was present day California . The "Miss Joan" made the text seem not to flow because the characters are exchanging all this casual dialogue then in the middle.. " Miss Joan this or Miss Joan that" conjuring up images of Jessica Tandy. The author made a very obvious point to show that Kevin had no sexual interest in Joan even though every other man Joan met in this book had wanted to bed her, even when she was a child. I am not sure if this was the author's way of making Kevin a non- threatening black man thereby it would be more plausible for that a single white woman would live next door to him? Or if this was a way to desexualize him in advance of his magical negro crowning that came toward the end of the novel. Kevin told Joan she was pretty in most innocent of ways and suddenly the white woman, Joan, felt valued and thought Kevin the black man was "special" because he could see her specialness. It reminded me of the line in the movie The Help where the black maid's job is build up this white child..." You is kind. You is pretty. You is smart. You is important". The black man sees something that all of Joan's white lovers do not and now she sees it too thanks to Kevin's brief but profound appearance in her life. Kevin's character seemed only serve the purpose of moral guidance and making this the white woman Joan feel she was special. Ugh..really? My argument is not that the author had to or even should write about black characters but if an author decides to include black people don't use stereotypes and outdated tropes.

[c Kops · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book won’t be for everyone. It’s dark, gritty, dirty. Joan, the MC is both hunter and hunted. She’s wild, feral, brimming with rage and anger. This book is violent in both quiet and loud ways. The traumas & tragedies are slowly revealed and there are MANY. Emma Roberts is a fantastic narrator. Writing is visceral/ haunting but the story is long lasting. Loads of trigger warnings.

[Dayna Bennett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a hard story, very raw and traumatic. It’s really well told for such dark subject matter.

[Cindy Cadile · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Worse book ever. I stuck it out to the end, I really don't know how!

[Joanna Marchena · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

meh, not as good as i expected but i liked the writing

[sassymcsweetums · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is viscerally exquisite. It's gritty, intense and empowering.

[Joshua Luis Tre Van · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It’s strings you along with that golden carrot of narrative. Your balls deep and you don’t know why but you just have to finish. It made me want to attempt to start another family.

[Mrs Henson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a beautiful, heartbreaking story. I imagine I’ll read it again sometime soon.

[sana.haroon710 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartbreaking and not a light read/listen but intelligent, original storytelling.

[Alexandre Bellemare · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very weird and triggering book. A bit slow. Good performance by Emma Roberts.

[Stacie Goeltz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A haunting & bittersweet story, that will stay with me a long time.

[Reagan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! This book is amazing. ! It’s raw , seedy, dirty and brutally honest! Couldn’t put it down! Damn I even cried at the end!! Wtf! It’s a mind bending ride!!

[Leah Delaney · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

love the novel, but didn't love the way it was read on the audiobook.

[Agnese Sturme · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I find myself unable to continue this book and I am disappointed that is the case. Why does feminist writing have to be sooo angry and lacking any kind of transcendence and/or catharsis…

[Risa Vargas · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Self indulgent and convoluted. One dimensional and at times hard to follow.