Women & Other Animals: Stories

by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Book Overview

The stories in this prizewinning debut collection encompass train wrecks, circus acts, river journeys, transspecies transmogrification, and growing up and growing old around the small towns of Michigan. Without glamorizing poverty, Bonnie Jo Campbell details a vision in which shabbiness, beauty, brutality, and wisdom all coexist -- and yet the stories can be surprisingly optimistic, often funny. In "Sleeping Sickness ," a twelve-year-old copes with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743203070
• ISBN13: 9780743203074
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Scribner
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Great storytelling

Great storytelling. Characters are all close to heart. Makes me think my own life is a bunch of short stories. Nobody would believe things I been through. But here is a book of real life affirming stuff and I love the telling of it. And I love how Bonnie Jo Campbell puts in print what is in peoples' minds. There's no pink elephants let go in her rooms and pages, everything is told. Reminds me of southern writers.

Deeply interesting, creative, and enjoyable!

This collection of short stories has something to offer for *everyone*. Bonnie Jo Campbell is a brilliant writer--fresh, complex, intriguing, and unique. Each story was written with rich images, humorous and captivating characters, and realistic settings. I would recommend Bonnie Jo's work to anyone--she's taught me more about fiction writing than any instructional book could. Definitely support this author's work!!

Great Stories from the Midwest

This remarkable collection of stories creates a bright and vivid universe of characters, situations, and places you won't soon forget. In her admirably straightforward and unaffected prose, Bonnie Jo Campbell introduces her readers to an evocative cast of Midwestern women both ordinary and extraordinary who--by a fantastic variety of means--are finally claiming the power they deserve. My favorite story--though it's hard to choose a favorite because every story in the book delivers--is "Circus Matinee," in which Big Joanie, a circus sno-cone vendor, confronts a terrifying situation when a tiger escapes from its cage. Big Joanie's story is one among many in this collection that you definitely don't want to miss. If you read only one collection of short stories this year, make sure this is the one!

Words from the Peninsula, San Francisco Bay Area

I was not the slightest bit interested in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan - however, I became interested after reading this wonderful books of short stories. Bonnie Jo is a varied and interesting talent. I hope to see a novel from her soon - the caliber of her short story writing is exceptional. BUY, BORROW OR STEAL THIS BOOK.

Not just for women, these stories are both hilarious and

Bonnie Jo Campbell captures the secret thoughts of various Michigan creatures both fantastic and everyday. I became each character alternately as I read, not just sympathetic to the stories' dillemas. Since reading this book, my own dreams have become more exciting and vivid, (no kidding!). I'm buying copies of this book for all of my friends. What a great find.