From the winner of the 2016 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction comes a “heartwarming and sharp-witted debut” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) set over one emotionally charged weekend at an animal sanctuary in western Kansas, where maternal, romantic, and community bonds are tested in the wake of an estranged daughter’s homecoming. The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals is in trouble. … Animals is in trouble.
It’s late 2016 when Ariel discovers that her mother Mona’s animal sanctuary in Western Kansas has not only been the target of anti-Semitic hate crimes–but that it’s also for sale, due to hidden financial ruin. Ariel, living a new life in progressive Lawrence, and estranged from her mother for six long years, knows she has to return to her childhood home–especially since her own past may have played a role in the attack on the sanctuary. Ariel expects tension, maybe even fury, but she doesn’t anticipate that her first love, a ranch hand named Gideon, will still be working at Bright Side.
Back in Lawrence, Ariel’s charming but hapless fiancé, Dex, grows paranoid about her sudden departure. After uncovering Mona’s address, he sets out to confront Ariel, but instead finds her grappling with the life she’s abandoned. Amid the reparations with her mother, it’s clear that Ariel is questioning the meaning of her life in Lawrence, and whether she belongs with Dex or someone else, somewhere else.
Acclaimed writer Pam Houston says that “Mandelbaum is wise beyond her years and twice as talented,” and The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals poignantly explores the unique love and tension between mothers and daughters, and humans and animals alike. “A story of reconciliation and forgiveness (and so many animals)” (Steven Rowley, bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus), Mandelbaum’s debut offers a panoramic view of the meaning of home and reminds us that love provides refuge, and underscores our similarities as human beings, no matter how alone or far apart we may feel.
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This was a good book. And whether or not you are a Trump supporter, the reactions of the characters when he wins the election are entertaining. And if you are an animal lover, the story will tug at your heart.
But the main focus are the relationships between the humans. And they run the gamut. You’ll laugh, cry, cringe, moan in exasperation. The characters are well developed and their personalities are very different which keeps things interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
As an animal lover, and one who often thinks running an animal sanctuary would be bliss, I really enjoyed this book (and was reminded that running an animal sanctuary is far more work than I’m up for!). Beautiful writing. Loved the main character and rooted for her no matter how bad her choices got. My only hesitation in giving it 5 stars was that I felt too much was left hanging at the end. Maybe there’s a sequel coming? I’d definitely read that!
What a really fun story. I’m kind a sucker for anything about animal rescue, but this is so much more. Mother daughter relationships are not always easy. Mona (mother) and Ariels (daughter) long estrangement comes to an abrupt end when Ariel learns that her moms beloved animal sanctuary has been assaulted with a hate crime, is up for sale as well amongst other things that she wasn’t aware of due to their estrangement. She packs up and leaves her fiancé to return home to help out. And so begins their learning to talk to each other, deal with the fallout of their distance both emotional and physical, reconnect with those Ariel left behind and figure out how to move forward. New and old relationships, love some of the things explored in a new and unknown incredibly divided political climate. All surrounded by animals that truly make us all better people. I really enjoyed this absolutely wonderfully written, well crafted fun story with lots of cuddly animals.
Mona runs the Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals, but it is on the market because she can no longer pay the bills. Her daughter, Ariel, left home six years earlier and hasn’t returned. When Ariel learns that her mother is the victim of hate crimes and is losing the sanctuary, she returns home to confront her demons and perhaps help her mother figure out what to do next.
Both main characters can seem stereotypic and perhaps they are. In the end, however, they become more than just stereotypes, they become the kind of people most of us want to be.
This book is about love, animals, family, old hurts and anger, redemption. Yes, it has all that, and readers may find even more if they can get beyond the introductory chapters.
If you like flawed characters, one of whom is also eccentric, who can still forgive and love, a storyline that doesn’t quite end, and lots of animals abandoned and saved, you will love this book. It deserves to be near, or at, the top of your to-be-read list.
My thanks to Simon & Schuster for an eARC.