Ellery’s review of The Bittlemores: A Novel > Likes and Comments
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this is a book pick from my book group. and i just finished chapter one…is the animal abuse pretty bad throughout the whole book? i’m worried about that poor little orange cat already . 🐱🤦🏼♀️ i also read some gruesome books but just can’t at animal abuse. not sure if i want to even read this book..
It is prevalent in the first half, and there are two graphic incidents. I don't want to talk anyone out of reading this book, but since you asked, I'm giving an honest answer.
Is this written by singer Jann Arden? I'm a fan of her songwriting, so I'm surprised I haven't heard of this. Definitely will not be reading. Few things upset me more than animal abuse. Thanks for the heads-up.
I couldn’t finish it. It was just too dark. And too reminiscent of my own childhood.
That's okay, Audrey. I hope the next book that comes along is exactly what you need.
xx Ellery
I had to quit at about page 63, I couldn’t stomach the abuse and cruelty.
I actually finished the book, I too had a hard time with what the animals went thru, but like in many books where the is abuse with characters, I bear thru it. That a voice was given to the animals made it easier to get thru, how they stuck together supporting each other, I love when animals speak! I despised Harp and Mrs B they are hateful, however you came to understand the why they were as they were. The story itself was well written, and honestly couldn’t put it down as I wanted to see how everyone and everything came together and it does brilliantly, you can’t help but cheer!
For a debut novel Jann shows her talent and compassion, I hope we don’t have to wait another 14 years before we see another novel! Bravo Jann !
I agree—I read until the end because I wanted to know how things turned out for both animals and humans.
I also struggled with the animal cruelty, but knowing how Jann Arden feels on the topic, I knew it was there first and reason…. And I’m glad I pushed through.
I am a huge Jann Arden fan! I made it page 28, cudnt take it. I understand where she is coming from a respect her stand on live horses being transported etc. But while I know there is a great deal of cruelty to animals, I cudnt stomach it...
I am stopping too. Came here to see if it got any better. The cruelty is too much. And, there was zero comedy!
I guess you've never read Steven King fiction novels.
I'm having a very, very hard time looking past this too. I have had a full term, stillborn daughter, and the miscarriages are giving me ptsd too.
Spoiler: I found it hard to read the animal cruelty but I think the comedy comes through when you find out that the animals can talk to each other and they are plotting to kill Harp. Have you ever heard of a cow knowing how to spell with their hoof in the sand?
Pouchie wrote: "I guess you've never read Steven King fiction novels."
If you're referring to Stephen King, then yes, I've read many of his books and am a fan.
so the abuse of the people was not as bad as the abuse of the animals?
I couldn’t take the animal abuse either, I stopped reading it. I took this book on vacation with me but had to stop reading it, it’s not what I expected to read on a relaxing vacation.
Thank you for this! I won't read it now. It would ruin me as well. Mistreatment of children and animals stays with me and never leaves, so I re-live the horror and depression again and again.
I agree with you on how disturbing the animal and human abuse was in the novel and particularly in the first part of the book. I too almost stopped reading, but I usually try to read the first hundred pages of a book before stopping and that usually helps me get over any hurdles. There are very few books that I never finish reading. This one was hard and it is still difficult to get the images of the Bittlemore’s abusive behaviour out of my mind. However, the story did take off and resolve in a very positive way. I do feel that this made up for the tough parts of the book and feel it is very much worth making it to the end.
I just finished a review that makes many similar comments. I think what makes the abuse so hard to take is the matter-of-fact way it’s dished out. It just happens like having dinner. It’s making me think about the filters we use to explain abusive behaviour, and how those filters may take the edge off of the violence.
The animal cruelty is probably the most realistic parts of this book though. Something we all need to be aware of. Yes a hard read but a necessary one! Love this book, especially the way each character is given a voice, even the beloved animals.
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Amanda
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Nov 25, 2023 10:59PM
this is a book pick from my book group. and i just finished chapter one…is the animal abuse pretty bad throughout the whole book? i’m worried about that poor little orange cat already . 🐱🤦🏼♀️ i also read some gruesome books but just can’t at animal abuse. not sure if i want to even read this book..
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It is prevalent in the first half, and there are two graphic incidents. I don't want to talk anyone out of reading this book, but since you asked, I'm giving an honest answer.
Is this written by singer Jann Arden? I'm a fan of her songwriting, so I'm surprised I haven't heard of this. Definitely will not be reading. Few things upset me more than animal abuse. Thanks for the heads-up.
I couldn’t finish it. It was just too dark. And too reminiscent of my own childhood.
That's okay, Audrey. I hope the next book that comes along is exactly what you need. xx Ellery
I had to quit at about page 63, I couldn’t stomach the abuse and cruelty.
I actually finished the book, I too had a hard time with what the animals went thru, but like in many books where the is abuse with characters, I bear thru it. That a voice was given to the animals made it easier to get thru, how they stuck together supporting each other, I love when animals speak! I despised Harp and Mrs B they are hateful, however you came to understand the why they were as they were. The story itself was well written, and honestly couldn’t put it down as I wanted to see how everyone and everything came together and it does brilliantly, you can’t help but cheer!For a debut novel Jann shows her talent and compassion, I hope we don’t have to wait another 14 years before we see another novel! Bravo Jann !
I agree—I read until the end because I wanted to know how things turned out for both animals and humans.
I also struggled with the animal cruelty, but knowing how Jann Arden feels on the topic, I knew it was there first and reason…. And I’m glad I pushed through.
I am a huge Jann Arden fan! I made it page 28, cudnt take it. I understand where she is coming from a respect her stand on live horses being transported etc. But while I know there is a great deal of cruelty to animals, I cudnt stomach it...
I am stopping too. Came here to see if it got any better. The cruelty is too much. And, there was zero comedy!
I guess you've never read Steven King fiction novels.
I'm having a very, very hard time looking past this too. I have had a full term, stillborn daughter, and the miscarriages are giving me ptsd too.
Spoiler: I found it hard to read the animal cruelty but I think the comedy comes through when you find out that the animals can talk to each other and they are plotting to kill Harp. Have you ever heard of a cow knowing how to spell with their hoof in the sand?
Pouchie wrote: "I guess you've never read Steven King fiction novels."If you're referring to Stephen King, then yes, I've read many of his books and am a fan.
so the abuse of the people was not as bad as the abuse of the animals?
I couldn’t take the animal abuse either, I stopped reading it. I took this book on vacation with me but had to stop reading it, it’s not what I expected to read on a relaxing vacation.
Thank you for this! I won't read it now. It would ruin me as well. Mistreatment of children and animals stays with me and never leaves, so I re-live the horror and depression again and again.
I agree with you on how disturbing the animal and human abuse was in the novel and particularly in the first part of the book. I too almost stopped reading, but I usually try to read the first hundred pages of a book before stopping and that usually helps me get over any hurdles. There are very few books that I never finish reading. This one was hard and it is still difficult to get the images of the Bittlemore’s abusive behaviour out of my mind. However, the story did take off and resolve in a very positive way. I do feel that this made up for the tough parts of the book and feel it is very much worth making it to the end.
I just finished a review that makes many similar comments. I think what makes the abuse so hard to take is the matter-of-fact way it’s dished out. It just happens like having dinner. It’s making me think about the filters we use to explain abusive behaviour, and how those filters may take the edge off of the violence.
The animal cruelty is probably the most realistic parts of this book though. Something we all need to be aware of. Yes a hard read but a necessary one! Love this book, especially the way each character is given a voice, even the beloved animals.
