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Name All the Animals: A Memoir
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Name All the Animals: A Memoir
Author: Alison Smith

Book Information
Publisher: Scribner
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780743255233 - ISBN-10: 0743255232
Pages: 352


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio CD (Abridged)

Book Description:
A luminous, true story, Name All the Animals is an unparalleled account of grief and secret love: the tale of a family clinging to the memory of a lost child, and of a young woman struggling to define herself in the wake of his loss. As children, siblings Alison and Roy Smith were so close that their mother called them by one name, Alroy. But when Alison was fifteen, she woke one day to learn that Roy, eighteen, was dead.

Heartbreaking but hopeful, this extraordinary memoir explores the after-math of Roy's death: his parents' enduring romance, the faith of a deeply religious community, and the excitement and anguish of Alison's first love -- a taboo relationship that opens up a world beyond the death of her brother.

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Top Member Book Reviews

Kathryn (Kmarie) wrote on 9/10/2005...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is a story that has stayed with me quite awhile. I really enjoyed it. I read it in the paper version and the audio. LOVED the audio!

Kathleen R. (Katchie) wrote on 4/27/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

excellent writer, I could not put it down. It moved so fast and was so touching. It really got into peoples feelings or the hiding of feelings. I found the mother quite a character.

Darla Z. (DarlaZ) wrote on 3/5/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I lost a niece to a tragic accident. This book helped me understand my feelings as one left behind expected to carry on.A good read.

PAM L. (Iluvgoldens) wrote on 11/14/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Slow at first, but gets very good. Kind of surprised by content, did not know what this book was about, many life lessons learned by this woman.

Bessie W. wrote on 8/6/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Beautifully written story of grief and burdgeoning sexuality.

Pat R. (cats16) wrote on 5/30/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was such a great story. The family tragedy that changes everyone, told by the sister who looses her brother but also looses a part of herself. very very good.

Vincent L. (Vince) wrote on 4/14/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Name All The Animals is a memoir you will never forget. It is about a family's struggles to survive the accidental death of a much-loved son and brother. Not surprisingly, it takes each member of the family many years to regain a sense of safety in a world which would allow such a tragedy to occur. Each family member suffers and copes in his or her own way. Really, you must read this book.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Wendy C. (Froggie) wrote on 10/24/2008...


I really enjoyed this book. The story did not flow how I had expected it to but it was surprisingly good. A quick pace and easy to read. Told from the younger sister's point of view and all the emotional stuff she needs to deal with when her older brother dies.

Kim A. (justkim98) wrote on 8/6/2008...


A very interesting story of growing up with loss. A great read.

Cathy A. (asante) wrote on 4/3/2008...


This book was a surprise. i had not heard of it. it was really wonderful. well written. Brought me into what it was like to grow up Catholic. Familiar to e in that the family didn,t really talk about what was going on. B+

Jennifer S. (GoBadgers) wrote on 7/23/2007...


This is a sad but well written book.

Judy H. (hart2hart) wrote on 11/25/2006...


A luminous, true story, Name All The Animals is an unparalled accoutn of grief and secret love; the tale of a family clinging to the memory of a lost child, and of a young woman struggling to define herself in the wake of his loss. As childre, siblings Alsion and Roy Smith were so close that their mother called them one name, Alroy. But when Alison was fifteen, she woke one day to learn that Roy, eighteen, was dead. Hearbreaking but hepful, this extraordinary memoir explores the aftermath of Roy's death: his parents' enduing romance, the faith of a deeply religious community, and the excitement and anguish of Alison's first love---a taboo relationship that opens up a world beyond the death of her brother.

Irina D. (peapod) wrote on 11/9/2006...


A little depressing, but OK.

Barbara C. (kewl) wrote on 10/2/2006...


A luminous, true, story, NAME ALL THE ANIMALS is an unparalleled account of grief and secret love: the tale of a family clinging to the memory of a lost child, and of a young woman struggling to define herself in the wake of his loss. Heartbreaking but hopeful . . . an extraordinary memoir.

Annie M. wrote on 8/29/2006...


Great, great book!

Jann F. wrote on 7/27/2006...


Interesting book

Renee B. (renb) wrote on 6/29/2006...


very quick read.... from the perspective of someone who has lost a sibling..an insider's view of her thought process when dealing with the loss.


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