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Persimmon Takes On Humanity
(Enlightenment Adventures #1)
by
What would you do if you saw someone committing unimaginable acts of cruelty? Turn the other way or defend those in need—no matter the cost? That’s the dilemma thrust upon Persimmon, a clever and compassionate raccoon, and her loyal forest friends. Instantly, the courageous critters spring into action, risking their own lives to rescue any animal they see suffering at the
...moreKindle Edition, 485 pages
Published
February 19th 2015
by Fathoming Press
(first published February 10th 2015)
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Start your review of Persimmon Takes On Humanity (Enlightenment Adventures #1)
Persimmon is a raccoon on a mission. Entirely by accident, her mostly peaceful life in the forest has been jarred by her realization that many of her animal brethren don't have it so well--and the source of their suffering seems to be overwhelmingly, those intimidating two-legged critters called humans.
Locke manages to tell an exciting story that rarely stalls--and when it does, it's normally because a character has tried to shoehorn a lesson into the dialogue. As an animal advocate myself, I u ...more
Locke manages to tell an exciting story that rarely stalls--and when it does, it's normally because a character has tried to shoehorn a lesson into the dialogue. As an animal advocate myself, I u ...more
I loved/hated this book. Locke is a great storyteller and his passion clearly comes through but it was admittedly difficult to finish. While I loved the characters, and the book was well written, the sheer quantity of them meeting a gruesome end was what made me sometimes put the book down and almost dread continuing. Despite being a work of fiction this is unfortunately based on very real tragedies, and it is for that I hated it. But it is also for that, that everyone should read it. There is n
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The cover alone grabbed me, and then I started reading. What followed was an inventive adventure I would gladly place on my classroom shelf — inspired humor and wit for old and young alike.
This is the book I've been waiting for.
"Because no animal is truly free until every animal is completely free."
Five outstanding, tragic stars to Persimmon Takes On Humanity. This book will make you take your nonhuman friends into your arms and weep profusely in shame of being human.
As I felt Nayana the elephant's grief, Vincent the mink's rage, and Gilby the calf's terror, I knew that closing the book could not relieve me of these emotions, because their stories are all too real. Persimmon Takes ...more
"Because no animal is truly free until every animal is completely free."
Five outstanding, tragic stars to Persimmon Takes On Humanity. This book will make you take your nonhuman friends into your arms and weep profusely in shame of being human.
As I felt Nayana the elephant's grief, Vincent the mink's rage, and Gilby the calf's terror, I knew that closing the book could not relieve me of these emotions, because their stories are all too real. Persimmon Takes ...more
I read this 471 page book in less than 2 days. It is one of the most compelling stories I have read in some time. You will fall in love with the characters and sob through the heartbreaking events that unfold in this adventure story. I can not wait for the second installment! Read this book!
When we selected this book for our animal rights reading group, I thought this was a graphic novel (apparently I hadn't researched it!) So imagine my surprise when it came in the mail and I realized it is 471 pages! I tucked right in and from there I loved it, found it tedious, difficult, amazing, and wordy.
This novel exposes animal exploitation through the adventures of a merry band of animal rescuers - literally; the rescuers are non-human animals. Through their eyes, through their dialogue, w ...more
This novel exposes animal exploitation through the adventures of a merry band of animal rescuers - literally; the rescuers are non-human animals. Through their eyes, through their dialogue, w ...more
Let me start by saying this book is so important. I love the concept and it puts a spotlight on areas of animal cruelty you may not have encountered before. However I do think that the blurb of this book grossly misleads the reader, as I was expecting a light-hearted, entertaining romp of animals giving humans the finger by saving fellow animals. What you actually get is a harrowing, heartbreaking, hopeless novel that introduces you to characters you so deeply love and then kills them off in the
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A gripping, heart-wrenching fantasy (yet grounded in some very detailed and brutal realities) in which Persimmon and crew try to right some of the many wrongs inflicted on other creatures by humans. I found the characters compelling, the details regarding various plights animals find themselves in accurate, and sadly accurate. I kept cheering for Persimmon and the gang and stayed up later than I should have reading this. There is now a sequel which I can't wait to read. Compelling, disturbing, i
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I absolutely love this book! It was recommended to me by a friend and I flew through it in one night. As a fictional series of stories, told from the POV of nonhuman animals, the Enlightenment Adventures are wonderful books with strong characters who teach us that humans, if we don't already, must start thinking about how we treat others who are not like us.
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Adorable, and horrible — a fantastic addition to a growing body of modern vegan fiction. A well-written adventure about a gang of forest animals led by a compassionate raccoon, the heroine Persimmon, who learn that other animals are suffering and decide to help rescue them. Persimmon's crew (with varying success) tackles the plight of calves being turned into veal, minks trapped and tortured on a fur farm, and elephants chained, beaten and made to perform in a circus.
The book perfectly captures ...more
The book perfectly captures ...more
I really enjoyed reading this book.
I thought the author covered many of the instances of gross cruelty to non-human animals, as perpetrated by human animals, with his compelling narrative which was, at the same time, both highly entertaining and yet deeply harrowing.
I am not, usually, a fan of the anthropomorphisation of non-human animals because, in my opinion, those animals are usually demeaned by the process – but I feel able to make an exception here. All of the author’s non-human characters ...more
I thought the author covered many of the instances of gross cruelty to non-human animals, as perpetrated by human animals, with his compelling narrative which was, at the same time, both highly entertaining and yet deeply harrowing.
I am not, usually, a fan of the anthropomorphisation of non-human animals because, in my opinion, those animals are usually demeaned by the process – but I feel able to make an exception here. All of the author’s non-human characters ...more
I know from experience that it is really, really dang hard to write a story with the intention of imparting lessons in animal advocacy. It's even harder to make that story aimed at a YA audience. How do you manage to fully convey the horrors of animal exploitation without being knocked down as 'preachy'?
The industries/abuses that Locke has chosen to focus on in the start of this series are relatively easy for a layman to oppose. I won't give them away, but they're perfect choices to start with ...more
The industries/abuses that Locke has chosen to focus on in the start of this series are relatively easy for a layman to oppose. I won't give them away, but they're perfect choices to start with ...more
This novel was a complete surprise and delight! The story was so beautifully written about a very difficult topic—the animal cruelty that is inherent in raising animals for food, fur and entertainment for humans. The characters are a wily and eclectic band of clever, compassionate and determined animals including raccoons, possums, minks and squirrels—and a big dog—that see and experience horrific animal cruelty and set out on a mission to save animals. The story is a gripping detective novel, l
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This is the story of a raccoon named Persimmon who is inspired to help save animals who are being abused. It may be a Young Adult book, though despite the talking animals who make up the cast, this is certainly adult friendly as well. Early on I was not impressed with the writing. It seemed a little forced and I especially thought the verb usage to be a little too elementary. But as the book went on everything - characters, story line, and writing alike - seemed to pick up steam so that by the t
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This book grows on you chapter by chapter. The characters are relatable and really get you thinking about your own sense of self. Halfway through the book I was so absorbed in the story I couldn't put it down.
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I like others really wanted to like this. Really did and ended up not. It was rough. I tried again and again. Nothing. I was never pulled in by a single character, the plot was predictable by a mile and there was nothing to invest myself into. Sad, but true, my hope was crushed.
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book very compelling to read and think the author has done a great job 'teaching' about exploitation of animals and making it accessible for a YA audience. ...more
I found this book very compelling to read and think the author has done a great job 'teaching' about exploitation of animals and making it accessible for a YA audience. ...more
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Christopher Locke is a raconteur, iconoclast, sit-down comedian and avid animal advocate. He enjoyed a fruitful career in the television industry for more than a decade before pursuing his passion project, "Persimmon Takes On Humanity" (which is the first book in "The Enlightenment Adventures"). He also adores spending time with his brilliant wife and fellow animal advocate, Jaya Bhumitra, two del
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Enlightenment Adventures
(2 books)
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“The only way to make lasting change is to enlighten humans that they should treat all creatures with respect. They shouldn’t eat them, steal their skin and fur, force them to do tricks for entertainment, and so on.”
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“I am thoroughly convinced that these ignorant humans really think us other animals exist just to entertain them. How egotistical can they be?”
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