Rating: 
Summary: A compelling account of a family's loss
Review: First time author Allison Smith has written an engrossing memoir that reads like a coming-of-age novel, as she describes childhood pastimes, family vacations, struggles in school, her first kiss, etc. However, superimposed over all of these activities and events is the shadow of her older brother's sudden death when she was 15 years old. Smith shares her own response to the loss of Roy, a brother with whom she was so close that they shared a common nickname, Alroy. At the same time, Smith skillfully weaves in stories of her family's past, an effective literary tool which serves to illuminate the different reactions of each family member to Roy's death. The narrative does not always relate to Roy directly, but although Smith devotes much of her book to her experiences in school, friendship, and love, the specter of Roy is always present.Smith has done a masterful job of characterizing the many different emotions which compromise grief; her book is not just about sadness but about anger, confusion, numbness, guilt, embarrassment, and more. The teenaged Allison is a poignant figure who can't help but to ignite compassion, not only in those around her but also in the present-day reader. My one disappointment about this book is that the reader is told little about Allison's future. Although Smith includes an epilogue which takes place 13 years after Roy's death, these final pages add little to Allison's story, leaving the reader to wonder about her health(...) and her life in general. Overall, however, this book is a remarkable acheivement for Smith, who clearly has the makings of a novelist.
Rating: 
Summary: Teenage years from the true personal experience
Review: From the beginning, this story captured the dynamics of a typical family with beliefs, family trips, summer jobs and tragedy struck immediately to alter their lives forever. I remember this horrible accident while I was in high school in Rochester, NY and was truly fascinated about the story of the author and her relationship with her family and friends at Mercy High School. She is truly talented and touched on so many issues that teenage girls face mixed with the fact that her brother passed away so suddenly one day. The lessons of faith and her father's need to bless her each day and her mother's love and carefree ways did not help her deal with the loss. She struggled for so long to find the right cure for her heartache. The book made me look back on my high school years with a different perspective and appreciate the diversity of the students. This was a very meaningful memoir that we all can relate to in some way.
Rating:
Summary: This book opened my eyes.
Review: I am a graduate student and have been in school for the past 20 years, but I am not a big reader. Yes, I read textbooks and all readings required by my professors, but I rarely take the time to sit down and read a book. I saw Name All the Animals at Barnes and Noble the other day and thought I'd read the first few chapters to get a feel for it. All of the books I've purchased over the past few years have ended up half-read because they didn't grab me. This book not only grabbed me but it also opened my eyes. I read it in one day! Do yourself a favor and read this fascinating and well-told life story.
Rating:
Summary: Name All the Animals: A Memoir
Review: I could really relate to this book, the feelings of loss and of confusion. I loved her descriptions of the people and places, you feel as if you are there sharing in the experience. I love how she takes you through the hard times as she deals with a great loss and then in the process she finds herself undernieth it all. I found myself feeling everything she felt, especially the part about her first love. I recommend this book to anyone, because it covers so many different aspects of life. I thank the author for letting the audience into her life, it was heartfelt.
Rating: 
Summary: not my cup of tea
Review: i did make it all the way through this book, which is saying something. she is a good writer, but i just didn't think she had much of a story to tell. losing a brother in an accident, living with anorexia, and experimenting with forbidden love...those things happen every day. i don't think i'd recommend this to someone looking for an interesting book.
for a good memoir about an extraordinary childhood...try "Sickened."
Rating:
Summary: Haunting and beautiful novel
Review: I don't normally write reviews, but I feel compelled to write one for this book. Alison is an extremely talented writer and this book moved me in many ways. It is a book you will not be able to put down and when you do, you will continue to think about it. I highly recommend it. It will stay with you and you won't want it to end.
Rating:
Summary: A coming of age story with a twist of grief and loss
Review: I enjoyed this book. It's slow but not plodding. Alison, the main character, is a teenage girl who lives with and through the sudden death of her 18 year old brother, but the book is so much more. Her relationships with family & friends is what is so interesting. No clean-cut endings here.............
Rating:
Summary: One of the best memoirs I have read
Review: I LOVED this book and can't wait until it is my turn to select the book for my book group to read. This will definitely be my choice -- there is so much to discuss in it. It is a book of despair and hope, family, friends and society's expectations, and above all, love and isolation. I found it very much more uplifting than The Lovely Bones, to which it will inevitably be compared.
Rating:
Summary: Just a Comment About the Title
Review: I noticed that someone wrote that the book had nothing to do with the title - that is because the title is a metaphor it is using a biblical reference to Adam in the garden of Eden when he is told to name all the animals....that is where the title comes from. I haven't actually read the book yet - but I read an article about the reference made in the title. Just thought I would mention that to all of you who have read the book and are confused by the title.
Rating:
Summary: A quick, but typical read
Review: I read this book in one sitting. It went by very quick and always kept your interest. However - there was nothing to learn here about how to deal with the death of a loved one. I have also had a brother die, and could have written a better book than this. There is also a lot of talk about the Catholic religion in here. If you are offended by religious reference, I would skip this one. I really felt for the author and her family, but again, this was not a remarkable book. The writing was okay. I do wish she would have gotten into more detail about her adult life. The only part of her life she discusses is the three years follwing her brother's passing.
|
