I was fairly certain I might have a problem with this collection when I saw the first page with a quote, “For anyone who has ever loved a beast”, followed by Mr. Rogers, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you’ve heard their story.”

I was right.

Not reading the blurb was A Mistake. But I did try to accept each story for what it was. I made it 80 pages in and it turns out not only is this messaging not actually what the story collection seems curated for (you should read the blurb); it hinges on animal-human connections rather than a human empathy configuration. It’s very odd. It also reads as very white, and very performative throughout.

Every story seems literally curated to tug on your heart strings such that it feels like the conceit of each is a fugazi gem. There is no craft in terms of the buttressing needed to present the unfailingly unearned endings. Highly emotive language, myopic, and no context for the desired emotional impact.

Anyone who isn’t pulled by the siren call of animals loving people that ostensibly shouldn’t be loved because various people shun them for varied reasons will find this lacking substance. Those that are really into the concept might pull through. This whole concept feels like a foregone conclusion.

Perhaps people who can’t find sympathy with animals will be lifted by this curated collection? but otherwise the start sets up the completely wrong expectations and the premise wears very, very thin at even 3 stories in. It also conflates genuinely shitty people, some of whom don’t want to improve in any way, with actual victims who get comfort from animal companionship. Somehow weighing them equally, deserving of the same formula.

This must be the most solipsistic collection of short stories I have ever read. Nothing feels real. All of it feels designed to be palatable, which means it will be well received.