The Blessings of the Animals

Title:

The Blessings of the Animals

A Novel

Author:

Kittle, Katrina

Subject:

Literature

Classic Literature

Romance

Fiction

Description:

“[A] beautifully crafted novel….A must-read not only for animal lovers, but for anyone who has found the courage to come back from heartbreak and find love again, without reservation, without fear.”—Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants“A marvelous page-turner, a story of an unexpected heartbreak and the unexpected blessings that result. I didn’t want to put this book down!”— Ellen Baker, author of Keeping the House“Wonderfully poignant characters and a deeply satisfying exploration of love in its many incarnations…make this novel Katrina Kittle’s most insightful yet.”—Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author of Tomorrow RiverFrom Katrina Kittle, the critically acclaimed author of The Kindness of Strangers, comes The Blessings of the Animals—a wry, engrossing, and moving story of a veterinarian’s journey through the aftermath of divorce amidst a motley crew of beasts.

Publisher:

William Morrow Paperbacks

HarperCollins

Date:

2010/07/18

Digital Format:

HTML

ADOBE EPUB

KINDLE

Language:

English

Summary

"[A] beautifully crafted novel....A must-read not only for animal lovers, but for anyone who has found the courage to come back from heartbreak and find love again, without reservation, without fear."
--Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants

"A marvelous page-turner, a story of an unexpected heartbreak and the unexpected blessings that result. I didn't want to put this book down!"
-- Ellen Baker, author of Keeping the House

"Wonderfully poignant characters and a deeply satisfying exploration of love in its many incarnations...make this novel Katrina Kittle's most insightful yet."
-- Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author of Tomorrow River

From Katrina Kittle, the critically acclaimed author of The Kindness of Strangers, comes The Blessings of the Animals --a wry, engrossing, and moving story of a veterinarian's journey through the aftermath of divorce amidst a motley crew of beasts.

Author Notes

Katrina Kittle lives in Dayton, Ohio.

(Publisher Provided)

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Beginning with the end of Cami Anderson's marriage, Kittle (The Kindness of Strangers) wades through heartache and tragedy yet manages to find elegance and charm in her latest novel. Cami's distress is palpable as she deals with her husband's seemingly inexplicable decision to leave her and their teenage daughter, Gabriella. Juggling her veterinary practice, her now cynical daughter, and her own feelings takes up all of Cami's time but she soon realizes that she has no monopoly on struggle: her brother and his male partner lose their adopted daughter to the child's biological mother. Cami taps into her own experience with loss to help the couple, which leads her to take a more honest look at her marriage and the new life ahead of her. While Cami stumbles through post-divorce dating and raising Gabriella, her family of animals-horses, cats, dogs, and a goat-provide respite. Cami's reflections, in tandem with those of delightful friends, present a long-view of the nature of marriage and relationships. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Booklist Review

Cam Anderson is a fixer. As a small-town veterinarian, she ministers to the usual parade of household pets, and as an animal-rescue volunteer she liberates abused horses, abandoned donkeys, stray goats. The one thing Cam can't salvage is her marriage. The morning her temperamental husband tells her he's leaving her, she's dumbfounded. The afternoon she catches him in the arms of a much younger woman, she's devastated. And the fact that everyone around her seems to be rejoicing in their own relationships isn't helping. Her best friend is engaged; her parents are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary; her gay brother and his partner are adopting. Though she turns to both an old friend and a new acquaintance to help her learn to trust her heart again, Cam ultimately discovers that her menagerie of maltreated critters are her most reliable instructors. With subtle yet shimmering insight, Kittle explores the resilience of human nature and the indelible role animals play in healing shattered emotions.--Haggas, Carol Copyright 2010 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Love and relationships are at the heart of Kittle's (The Kindness of Strangers) fourth novel. Veterinarian Cami Anderson feels she'll fall apart when husband Bobby, miserably dissatisfied with the limited amount of time Cami spends with him owing to her active participation in animal rescue, walks out on her and their teenaged daughter. In trying to recover her emotional equilibrium, stumbling Cami faces numerous changes and challenges. As the novel unfolds, it is clear that it is her inimitable relationship with her foster animals, including an abused horse, as well as her friendships and family bonds, that help her awaken to an improved-Bobby-free life. Kittle serves a lovely buffet here, offering something for everyone. A surprise folded in now and then keeps us on our toes; characters, both human and animal, are believable, compassionate, and realistic. Verdict With Muriel, the goat, adding much-needed whimsy and spirit to all our lives, this lovely novel is a blessing.-Andrea Tarr, Corona P.L., CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.