Beautiful Animals, by Lawrence Osborne

REVIEW:  I am not actually sure how I feel about this book.  It was interesting and compelled me to continue reading, but I didn’t really care about most of the characters.   It also seemed a bit far-fetched – I was not sure if the story could really happen.  While I understand this is fiction, I did not think it was meant to be total fantasy.  The positives were that it gave an interesting description of the lives of the very wealthy, although not a positive depiction.  I also have no frame of reference to know if it was accurate.  For me the ending was not satisfying.   Given each author’s purpose the ending does not necessarily have to neatly tie everything up, but this one did not make me think or reflect on what I had read.  My review does not seem very positive, but I did read the whole book and enjoyed the reading experience.  I think it would be a good for a book group – it will certainly lead to a lively discussion.   I received a complimentary copy of the book for this review.  

Characters

Naomi Codrington Jimmie – father Phaine – step-mother Carissa – maid Samantha “Sam” Haldane Amy and Jeffrey – parents Brother – 15 Toby Carhargan – American boy Sam met on island Faound – Arab, castaway Benedetta – Met Faound in Italy, stole money Rockhold – friend of Jimmie’s Susan – assistant in London Girls selling drugs from row boat

For Discussion:

Note: All page numbers are from hardback edition of book.

1. On page 79 (chapter 7) Naomi reflected back on the mistake (“ineptitude and cowardice”) she made during her brief law career and wanted to do something good.  She thought, “Morality was nothing more than paying attention to the chain reaction while not causing another one.”   Should she have foreseen the chain reaction of her good deed to Faound?
2. At times Naomi was very reflective.   Could she have used this trait to focus her life and feel that she was doing something meaningful?  Was saving Faound filling this need?
3. On the second page of chapter 8, Naomi was surprised that she “…felt quite at ease confessing everything to him (Faound), it if was even a confession.”  Why did she feel that she could be so open with him?
4. Were you surprised Naomi and Faound had sex?  Why or why not?
5. Naomi thought it was “reprehensible – no, a vile – thing” (page 96, chapter 8) that Jimmie and Phaine had so many material possessions while so many people had nothing.  Do you think they should feel guilty about what they had?
6. On page 106 (chapter 9) Naomi reflected that, “She wanted to be a Samaritan: the easiest job in the world, and perfect for the useless European middle classes.”  What did you think when you read this sentence?
7. Were you surprised how involved Carissa was willing to be in the break-in and cover-up?  Why?
8. When Faound was in Italy he purchased a pair of very expensive shoes.  The author wrote about shoes, “Shoes - so banal and yet so magnificently significant” (page 170, chapter 16).  What did you think about this sentence?  Do you pay attention to people’s shoes?  What information do they give?
9. On pages 194-195 (chapter 17), Carissa says to Naomi, “You’re just selfish…It wasn’t about helping the migrant, it was about you and your father and Phaine.  I know, they were cruel to you.  It’s not entirely your fault.”   Do you agree?
10. Also on page 195 Naomi says to Carissa, “But I understand.  It’s nothing personal, is it?”  and Carissa replies, “It’s very personal.  I wasted seven years of my life here slaving for you.  I’m not letting it go to waste.”   Were you surprised that Carissa held this resentment for seven years?  Did Jimmie, Phaine and Naomi think Carissa was happy and that they were treating her well?
11. What parts did Sam and the girl in the row boat selling drugs play in the narrative?  Were they necessary to move the story along?  Why or why not?
12. Discuss the various characters.  Who did you feel were sympathetic characters?  Who did you not like?  Why?

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.