Questions About On Animals

by Susan Orlean (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (4)

Read Barbara King's NPR review to understand why this book is more about Susan Orlean's fascination with the ways animals are exploited by humans than about being a true animal lover. I found her glossing over so much cruelty deeply disturbing. Why are the reviews ignoring this?

Kitty Galore Being a true animal lover involves confronting the issues surrounding the way humans treat non-humans. It is becoming an epidemic of abuse and cruelty…moreBeing a true animal lover involves confronting the issues surrounding the way humans treat non-humans. It is becoming an epidemic of abuse and cruelty on both wild and domesticated species with some humans knowingly and sometimes without even a clue perpetuating suffering. I have read the book and I hope it inspires more humans to think about the choices they make in their non-human interactions.(less)

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Why did she highlight a brachycephaly breed that is required to have its ears mutilated and tail cut off to fit AKC standards? She never addresses these cruelties. Decided against giving this book as a holiday gift because of this. She is no dog lover in my opinion.

Robert Blumenthal I agree with you on the notion that this is definitely no Animal Rights Manifesto (she obviously has no trouble eating other people's turkeys, just no…moreI agree with you on the notion that this is definitely no Animal Rights Manifesto (she obviously has no trouble eating other people's turkeys, just not her own). I saw this more as a depiction of the various ways we as humans interact with animals, with some environmentally correct views thrown in (e.g., her chapter on the Lion Whisperer).(less)

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is there a lot of discussion about cruelty/mistreatment? i see the description about the woman with 23 "pet" tigers which is upsetting and i'm having second thoughts...

Jean Bohince No discussion about animal cruelty. The tiger story was interesting.

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I have a 10 year old grandson who is an avid reader and loves animals. Is this book age appropriate?

Jan If your grandson is a strong reader, Gerald Durrell's non-fiction book, The Amateur Naturalist, would be a better choice. Durrell's writing style, acc…moreIf your grandson is a strong reader, Gerald Durrell's non-fiction book, The Amateur Naturalist, would be a better choice. Durrell's writing style, accompanied by beautiful photographs, exhibits such wonder and preserves curiosity while placing the reader as close to being there as the written word allows. Ms. Orleans' "On Animals" does not. The death of animals isn't my issue - they, like us, are biological creatures. I am troubled by some glaring ethical issues that Ms. Orleans fails to recognize, ignores, and even jokes about.(less)

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