Animal Husbandry

Rating:
Summary: Think you are Bitter, Better read this one!!!
Review: And I thought I was bitter when my ex "disappeared me." !! I love this book. I saw so many of the men that I have dated in the characteristics of Ray. While I would never go so far as the main character did to relieve her angst, I could most definitly identify with her plight. We have all been in the position that Jane was in and can feel for her. I must say that Zigman's writing pulls the reader right in to the head of Jane and her whirlwind obession. Zigman nailed men perfectly when she wrote the passage about men and how the "disappear you" when breaking up. As a recipient of this treatment, it was comical to read of a fictional character going through what an ex had put me through. I read "Message in a Bottle," and cried, saying that is what I want; I read "Animal Husbandry," and laughed saying that is what I have had. It was a phenominal read that left people staring at me while I laughed at Jane's antics. I have lent the book to all the women I know who might enjoy this book. I haven't had one turn me down yet!!! Of course all the men in my department are wondering why we have all become so interested in "animal husbandry". I am anxiously awaiting Zigman's next book.

Rating:
Summary: Whiny novel, but funny at times.
Review: This novel is okay, but nothing special. The protagonist whines throughout, but at times is insighful. It's worth reading of you have nothing better to do.

Rating:
Summary: i wish i had read this book earlier
Review: Having just suffered the pangs of a breakup this past week and having this book on my " must read" list for 2 months now- I wish I had read it earlier- I might have cried less and used less tissues. This was a cute book- interesting theory about men, and bovine behaviour- and it offered some insight about the opposite sex. However-I did find some style problems with this book- apparent at the begining and less noticible as the novel went on. What stylistics quirks, ( for example, ending some chapters with a sentence in parenthesis, and lots of quotes from various psychological/anthropological experts) annoyed me at first, became almost charming as I continued to read. A valiant wonderful first novel. I hope to read her again, should she decide to publish again.

Rating:
Summary: Nearly answers the question "How do I get over him?"
Review: I had a traumatic breakup in the middle of last year. A lot of Zigman's observations are similar to mine. I agree that somehow people have to get over it and basically do "whatever it takes". She took up cow studies. I took up kickboxing and golf. But that's where the similarities end. She didn't reflect sufficiently on the essence of really getting over him. That last chapter when she says it's over when she says it over should have been explored further. Zigman could have got more mileage out of that and made Jane Goddall more thoughtful and introspective. Nonetheless it was quite a fair first attempt. I hope her next work about dating Big Bird will actually hit the nail on the head.

Rating:
Summary: One woman just asking WHY?
Review: I think some of the reviews need to GET OFF IT! If you've had your heart broken, you know why she's writing this book and if you can't relate to the emotional breakup rollercoaster of sitting in your room asking "Why me?" to plotting your revenge, then you shouldn't of read this book. I thought this book was hysterical - very well detailed into the thoughts of EVERY woman (some may deny all they want)going through a relationship. Regarding one reader's comment on how obsurd it is for Jane to be so heartbroken after only 3 months...you obviously have never been swept off your feet or allowed someone to captivate you.....I can give countless examples of couples getting very involved only after 3 months. Never judge a relationship unless your in it yourself....Readers should just laugh at this book, because that's what it's intended for. Forget the soapbox crap. Jane was not portrayed as whiny and spineless. She didn't pursue Ray endlessly until he asked her out, nor stalk Ray after the breakup. It's a simple story about falling in love, having your heart broken and trying to pick up the pieces in a logical way (and to everyone that differs, albeit some more outlandish than others) that makes YOU feel better. Take it for what it is!

Rating:
Summary: a wonderfully funny look at a fact of life
Review: The other reviews astound me. Stop taking this book so seriously. It is not a handbook on dealing with a breakup, it is a VERY funny look at one woman's way of coping with her relationship. I laughed out loud many times, and nodded in agreement at most of what Zigman writes. This is such a treasure of a book. I have not just been dumped, but this book brings back memories of when I had. I think everyone that has ever been in a relationship can see aspects of themselves throughout. I can not wait until she writes again. I really enjoyed reading every page of this novel.

Rating:
Summary: This book rocked. I highly recommend it!!!
Review: This book was so good I bought two extra copies just so I could loan them out to friends. It's a must for everyone who's ever been dumped or anyone who knows someone or has witnessed firsthand the dissolution of a woman from confident half of a co-dependent couple to sappy brownie-eating, staying-in-her-apartment and not going out with you because she "misses him." Men will hate it and deny the New Cow theory but I think Jane was on to something....

Rating:
Summary: Required bedside break-up reading.
Review: A literary tour de force? Not exactly. A wonderful romp in the world of bovine mating habits? Absolutely. Read it with a sense of humour, which might, ironically, exclude those who would most benefit from it. (The recently dumped.) Nothing earth shattering here but definitely an impressionable start from a first time novelist. I dare someone not to laugh during the Q and A with her best friend after the blind date catastrophe.

Rating:
Summary: A sharp start that dribbles away...
Review: I've already recommended this to several friends, although I have to admit that it's not as good as it should have been. The gimmick is put to terrific use - spurned girlfriend obsesses hilariously, creating a science out of male-pattern-dumping. But so many things here don't add up. First, why the utter hysteria over a failed relationship that was a mere few months old? Why the surprise over a failed relationship with a guy who was cheating on his fiancee? What the heck is wrong with Jane? And, alas, the novel just falls to pieces in the final chapters as if the author didn't quite know how to wrap up the high drama. All this said, though, there sure are a lot of funny observations about relationships, realistic or not. I stampeded right through it in a couple of days, entertained (if not always impressed) all the way. Moo!

Rating:
Summary: Read it for the catharisis of a breakup- nothing else!
Review: To add my opinion to all the above... yes, this book looked so promising, and gave so little. The Old-Cow/New-Cow theory is not that radically new. More than that, the author beat the concept into our heads with her repetition and details of it! I can see how someone would enjoy this if they needed a book to cry with. For the rest of us single-and-dealing-with-it women, we need a bit more.