Men and Other Mammals

by Jim Keeble

Book Overview

Scott Barron seems to have it all -- a beautiful girlfriend, a dazzling career as a published poet, and a great future. In contrast, his younger brother Jes is a married, overweight, unpublished writer with a fondness for penguins. Then why is it that, to Scott, Jes' life always seems so much better? He finds out, but only after his girlfriend decides to split (just as he was about to say the 'L' word -- and almost mean it), he makes a fool of himself...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078688861X
• ISBN13: 9780786888610
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 17 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 12 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Delightful, hilarious and pithy

This book made me laugh until I cried and even moved me to tears. 'Men and other mammals' seems to be the U.S. Hyperion title for 'My Fat Brother' by Penguin in the U.K. If you have ever wondered what London, fraternal love and life look like from the perspective of a 30ish (often drunk) British male, this book will give you some insight. Add a bum, a father who ran away, and a Gentoo penguin, wave the magic Keeble wand and voila - you have a wonderful tale. The story is written with sensitivity, warmth, lots of creativity and unquenchable humor. The pace is quick, the language uncomplicated and the story highly entertaining. The encounter with the penguin had me rolling on the floor. Despite the fact that I am neither 30ish, male, or British, I greatly enjoyed 'Men and Other Mammals' and look forward to Keeble's next book. I think you will enjoy it too.

Hilarious!

A divine and sweet comedy. Has great incites on realtionships, both romantic and familial, a unique point of view. You will never view a penguin the same way again.

A wonderful view of life and love and penguins...

I simply loved this book. It reminds, I know, I know, of early Hornby, if a bit more sappy. Keeble, however, has his own voice and explores a terrain rarely seen in today's popular fiction--brothers. The relationship between Jes and Scott is very real. The book is universal and it could easily have been set in New Orleans or Dallas as London. The penguin subplot is funny and makes sense in the context of the story. The losses that Scott feels are very real and the redemption he finds is poignant. The book is a breezy but moving read.

A Good Read

The book was a good read. Scott Barron, a writer, recently released his new book of poems "Men and Other Mammals". Despite the success of his book, his personal life is another story. He has unresolved issues with his father, figuring out as to why he left him and his brother as children and his girlfriend of eight months has left him. Scott begins to wonder what is his lot in life besides writing. Does he feel he needs a relationship to make his life complete? Does he feel helping others will make him better? The book was a great read, rather than a good read. It was funny when he and his father kidnap a penguin and keep him in his flat reeking and soiling his bathroom. It was gross when he threw up in front of his audience as he reads a piece from his book. But it was overall interesting as to know what defines manhood. Jim Keeble did a good job. Hope he comes out with another interesting book to keep the reader in tune.

Hilarious! Laugh out Loud funny!

I don't think I have laughed this hard in a book, EVER! I may be demented, but I thought it was a great read. I read it in one long weekend! I will definitly read more of his books! Geez! The Penguin part is soooo great! :)