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Zoo
Welcome to the Zoo!
Inside, you won't find tigers or lions but Anxieties galore.
You'll crawl through the Depression Caves and gallivant through the Regret Gardens.
You'll see wondrous creatures that will tug at the very heart of you.
And at the very end, amidst it all, we offer you one more surprise.
Join us for a tour today!
Inside, you won't find tigers or lions but Anxieties galore.
You'll crawl through the Depression Caves and gallivant through the Regret Gardens.
You'll see wondrous creatures that will tug at the very heart of you.
And at the very end, amidst it all, we offer you one more surprise.
Join us for a tour today!
63 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 27, 2022
So many writers process their experiences and emotions through their craft, and A.C. Cross has delivered a creatively masterful exploration of self. Zoo is a meandering walkthrough of the author's life, and he approaches it with bold honesty.
All readers will bring their individual experience, but every exhibit held nuggets of relatability to a wide audience. Throughout this short novella, the author deals with raw topics of grief, self-doubt and loathing, nostalgia, and others, in a way that feels like a conversation on a living room couch.
While exploring mental health and human experience can feel heavy and leave you with an unpleasant aftertaste, this novella manages to keep its tone light without detracting from the very real struggles we face within our own minds.
Despite his admission to self deprecation, the author shows a lot of bravery in the self awareness he brings into his "zoo exhibits". It's an incredibly creative way to process the hard things in life in an easily digestible chunk.
Overal, a fantastic addition to mental health focused literature.
December 29, 2022
I was a beta reader for this novella.
It's a truly unique take on the mind and mental health, told with brilliant wit and brutal honesty.
It's a truly unique take on the mind and mental health, told with brilliant wit and brutal honesty.
August 10, 2024
Wow into the feels
This was not what I expected
The pure honesty and expression of feeling. Bit blown away by this, will leave me in my feels for a long time
This was not what I expected
The pure honesty and expression of feeling. Bit blown away by this, will leave me in my feels for a long time
August 10, 2024
This was straight into my feels. The sheer honesty and opening of feelings shared blew me away
November 23, 2022
Zoo is an incredibly unique, vulnerable and brutally honest short story exploring the human mind and mental health. The author takes us on a tour through his mind and lays bare all his deepest and darkest insecurities, emotions, struggles and regrets.
I absolutely loved the concept of the zoo as a metaphor for the mind, as it created such a surreal and authentic reading experience. Some of the exhibitions you can expect to visit on your tour through this zoo are Depression Caves, Anxiety Fields, Regret Gardens and Self-Image Pens.
Now, while this is undoubtedly a very intense and emotional read, it’s not as bleak or heavy as you might expect. The dark humour, wit and candidness of the author just seep through every single line and create a bit of a lighter tone, which makes this a weirdly entertaining read.
I think this story will resonate with a lot of people, as most of us are probably desperately trying to manage life while keeping our own zoo filled with similar beasts under control. I hope this story was as cathartic and therapeutic to write for the author as it was for me to read. What a beautifully quirky and thought-provoking story. Highly recommend.
I absolutely loved the concept of the zoo as a metaphor for the mind, as it created such a surreal and authentic reading experience. Some of the exhibitions you can expect to visit on your tour through this zoo are Depression Caves, Anxiety Fields, Regret Gardens and Self-Image Pens.
Now, while this is undoubtedly a very intense and emotional read, it’s not as bleak or heavy as you might expect. The dark humour, wit and candidness of the author just seep through every single line and create a bit of a lighter tone, which makes this a weirdly entertaining read.
I think this story will resonate with a lot of people, as most of us are probably desperately trying to manage life while keeping our own zoo filled with similar beasts under control. I hope this story was as cathartic and therapeutic to write for the author as it was for me to read. What a beautifully quirky and thought-provoking story. Highly recommend.
December 6, 2022
4.5/5 — Zoo is a really quick and entertaining read but if you take just a tiny step closer to the subject at hand, you’ll also feel the darkness and maybe even familiarity in the story. This book has been living rent-free in my head since I read it last week. There is just so much to think about. But as someone with a dark sense of humor, I also really appreciate the approach the author took to writing his story the way he did. I’m looking forward to reading more of his works.
November 27, 2022
Wow! I did not expect that. While Zoo is a deeply personal story, I found myself in it and could relate to various descriptions of the exhibition.
Kudos to A.C. Cross for being vulnerable and sharing your story. And thank you for doing so. I hope it was a cathartic experience writing it. It was definitely one for me reading it.
Ooof, I need some sugar now…
I love this metaphor for one’s feelings and I love how well put together this experience was. Zoo is a journey through A.C. feelings, emotions, anxieties… and how he’s dealing with them. It’s a deep and private view into his personality that definitely triggered some things on my end.
I don’t know what his purpose was of sharing his story but I’m so grateful he did. I think this book could be a great example for others who are dealing with mental health issues. I know it was for me. This book needs to be shared and read by more!
Thank you, A.C.!
Kudos to A.C. Cross for being vulnerable and sharing your story. And thank you for doing so. I hope it was a cathartic experience writing it. It was definitely one for me reading it.
Ooof, I need some sugar now…
I love this metaphor for one’s feelings and I love how well put together this experience was. Zoo is a journey through A.C. feelings, emotions, anxieties… and how he’s dealing with them. It’s a deep and private view into his personality that definitely triggered some things on my end.
I don’t know what his purpose was of sharing his story but I’m so grateful he did. I think this book could be a great example for others who are dealing with mental health issues. I know it was for me. This book needs to be shared and read by more!
Thank you, A.C.!
November 23, 2022
A great analogy
I always enjoy fiction that is an analogy. It almost felt like playing Zoo Tycoon while talking about mental health issues. This is a creative way of talking about personal topics and mental health. I really resonated with the creatures of anxiety and grief. 4.5/5
I always enjoy fiction that is an analogy. It almost felt like playing Zoo Tycoon while talking about mental health issues. This is a creative way of talking about personal topics and mental health. I really resonated with the creatures of anxiety and grief. 4.5/5
November 17, 2022
Note: I was able to read Zoo as a beta reader, so there may be some differences to the final copy (which I will also read!).
Overall, I loved this vulnerability exploration of emotions and feelings. The tour guide zoo visit side of things added an entire level to the story telling and it was masterfully done. And the emotional side was done so well! Fans of The Alchemy of Sorrow would be wise to add this to their reading list as well!
OVERALL: 5/5 Anxieties
Overall, I loved this vulnerability exploration of emotions and feelings. The tour guide zoo visit side of things added an entire level to the story telling and it was masterfully done. And the emotional side was done so well! Fans of The Alchemy of Sorrow would be wise to add this to their reading list as well!
OVERALL: 5/5 Anxieties
September 22, 2024
Read
Analogy of visiting a zoo going through feelings…
This wasn’t for me.
Analogy of visiting a zoo going through feelings…
This wasn’t for me.
Read
March 17, 2023Aww dammit, man. I don't normally cry at books because I am a heartless monster, but this one punched me in the face at the end. I visited Grief, and the creature was very similar to the one I've got locked away.
I'll write a real review, eventually.
I'll write a real review, eventually.
November 28, 2022
Such a deeply personal story presented in such an unique way. Made me tear up within its 40 pages! I just want to give the author a hug.
January 5, 2023
What a unique look at the human psyche! I really enjoyed my time reading this!
December 16, 2022
A great conversation about the importance of mental health. A couple "exhibits" didn't quite land as well as I'd hoped, but others were absolute gut-punches. Very worthwhile read.
December 20, 2022
Zoo
is a surreal exploration of mental health with exhibitions filled with nagging creatures. Their interactions with each other are commonly problematic.
This short work is an intimate and introspective read. Even more intense than the usual process of writing, I suspect taking a survey through his own mind was therapeutic for the author.
It’s very different from what I usually read, but I would say my only complaint is that it may get a bit repetitive. I should warn you must be in the right mindset for it.
All of us have dealt with our fair share of these beasts. This novelette is a reminder that every head is a zoo and to be kinder to each other. Oh, and don’t forget to take care of yours first.
This short work is an intimate and introspective read. Even more intense than the usual process of writing, I suspect taking a survey through his own mind was therapeutic for the author.
It’s very different from what I usually read, but I would say my only complaint is that it may get a bit repetitive. I should warn you must be in the right mindset for it.
All of us have dealt with our fair share of these beasts. This novelette is a reminder that every head is a zoo and to be kinder to each other. Oh, and don’t forget to take care of yours first.
December 5, 2022
4/5 Stars
A captivating exploration of a peculiar Zoo. This novella will take readers on a journey of emotions and mental health like never before.
While in this Zoo, the author lays bare his experiences with depression, anxieties, regrets and more. Though this novella explores difficult emotions, it’s done in a brilliant way. Using the metaphor of the Zoo to delve into somber topics in a hopeful way. I was also surprised to find quite a bit of humour and wit as I read, adding a lighter tone throughout. In a way this was an atmospheric read for me.
There were instances I could relate to, moments I couldn’t help but chuckle at and others I needed to sit with before continuing. Zoo made for an incredibly personal story, while giving a refreshing perspective on mental health.
A.C. Cross demonstrates introspection and vulnerability, that will connect with many readers.
A fantastic read that will have something for everyone.
A captivating exploration of a peculiar Zoo. This novella will take readers on a journey of emotions and mental health like never before.
While in this Zoo, the author lays bare his experiences with depression, anxieties, regrets and more. Though this novella explores difficult emotions, it’s done in a brilliant way. Using the metaphor of the Zoo to delve into somber topics in a hopeful way. I was also surprised to find quite a bit of humour and wit as I read, adding a lighter tone throughout. In a way this was an atmospheric read for me.
There were instances I could relate to, moments I couldn’t help but chuckle at and others I needed to sit with before continuing. Zoo made for an incredibly personal story, while giving a refreshing perspective on mental health.
A.C. Cross demonstrates introspection and vulnerability, that will connect with many readers.
A fantastic read that will have something for everyone.
December 6, 2022
The Zoo is a fantastic allegory filled with darkness. I was pulled in by the cover and description.
We visit a zoo of monsters that are so familiar to us, people who deal with imposter syndrome, depression, social anxiety... (and many more that are also a great number of monsters) while a guide gives us a tour of these cages, fields, and giants. The guide infuses humor in his description of the creatures and their behavior. Wonderfully written, it flows so well that you don't put it down.
For those who appreciate the warning of triggers, the author includes them in the welcoming chapter making it cleverly part of the story.
The end was just amazing. Dear author, thank you for writing this short story.
We visit a zoo of monsters that are so familiar to us, people who deal with imposter syndrome, depression, social anxiety... (and many more that are also a great number of monsters) while a guide gives us a tour of these cages, fields, and giants. The guide infuses humor in his description of the creatures and their behavior. Wonderfully written, it flows so well that you don't put it down.
For those who appreciate the warning of triggers, the author includes them in the welcoming chapter making it cleverly part of the story.
The end was just amazing. Dear author, thank you for writing this short story.
February 28, 2023
Portrait of the Young Writer as both a Zoo Owner and a Zoo, full of undomesticated Emotions.
I really liked A.C. Cross's short story Zoo. I found the starting Caves of Depression amusingly familiar, chuckled sadly at the Anxiety Fields and some of the other exhibits, and was moved by the Tower of Grief.
Very candid depiction of the author's emotions, both history and current state. I don't know if I could have dared to show so much of myself.
I really liked A.C. Cross's short story Zoo. I found the starting Caves of Depression amusingly familiar, chuckled sadly at the Anxiety Fields and some of the other exhibits, and was moved by the Tower of Grief.
Very candid depiction of the author's emotions, both history and current state. I don't know if I could have dared to show so much of myself.
January 8, 2023
AC has written a wonderful little novella called Zoo, a very intimate exploration of his mind and the darkness and light that lies within.
I was pleasantly surprised by the shades of dark humour within.
Inventive and fresh
4 stars!
Full review soon and will be updated
I was pleasantly surprised by the shades of dark humour within.
Inventive and fresh
4 stars!
Full review soon and will be updated
April 2, 2023
Very creative. I would have liked to see more of a story, but it's a really good concept.
August 2, 2024
Went into this novella blind. It was a very interesting approach to writing about mental illness and emotional triggers. Author approaches it in a very unique way that is impactful but subtle.
May 15, 2025
Great Insight
A great short read full of insight on different emotions. The Zoo will pull you into the emotions and just might help you understand what you are feeling inside.
A great short read full of insight on different emotions. The Zoo will pull you into the emotions and just might help you understand what you are feeling inside.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews