57 pages • 1 hour read
Unlikely Animals
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
384
Novel • Fiction
New Hampshire • Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
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
Reviews & Readership
22,993 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read Unlikely Animals?
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.
22,993 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Clive Starling
Clive Starling
Emma's father, a poetry professor and rock musician grappling with memory loss. He is determined to find Crystal Nash, reflecting his belief in the value of life.
Ingrid Starling
Ingrid Starling
Emma's mother and a dedicated historian, committed to her family and community. She copes with the challenges of the opioid crisis, her husband's illness, and eventually finds renewed appreciation for her family life.
Auggie Starling
Auggie Starling
Emma's brother, who has firsthand experience with substance use disorder. He possesses a deep empathy for others’ struggles and becomes a supportive presence in his family.
384
Novel • Fiction
New Hampshire • Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.