Book review: Zoology

Author Blurb

ZoologyAuthor: Ben DolnickPublished: August 2007

Henry likes to think of himself as a promising jazz musician. The truth, however, is considerably less glamorous. At eighteen, he's dropped out of university, lives at home with his bickering parents, and spends most of his time with the family dog. So when his brother offers to put him up in his New York City apartment for the summer, Henry leaps at the chance to start living the life of his dreams! In the Big Apple, Henry lands a job at the Central Park Children's Zoo. Over weeks spent chopping vegetables and shoveling dung, his world gradually expands to include a motley crew of zoo keepers, doormen and animals of every description. Amongst these, the undisputed star is Newman, the zoo's stoic Nubian goat, in whom Henry confides his growing love for Margaret, the alluringly wholesome girl next door. As the months unfold in a haze of jazz bars, ill-advised romance and hard truths about family, Henry learns what what it is to love -- and to lose -- in this hilarious, inventive and touching debut novel.

Following Henry on his Summer in New York City, Zoology captures the ups and downs of relationships, marriage, friendship, first love and being independent and responsible. The setting for much of the angst (if you can really call it that) is somewhat different from other books in the same category - New York Zoo. This unorthodox way of showing the characters deepest feelings and character development really showed how animals, especially their eyes, have the power to unlock your heart and soul.

***

I think I enjoyed this book. However, the settings although interesting were sometimes unbelievable as were some of the events and developments of the characters and their story lines. I found Henry's character to be some what irritating and his apparent love of Jazz music was an un-useful waste of words that seemed to add nothing to his character as it was only mentioned in passing.
In conclusion, I am glad that I read this book and there I enjoyed the fact that the majority of the developments and the story line was centered around animals and the zoo. I was also intrigued by the fact that when it addressed relationships it didn't just focus on the successful, romantic ones. However, that said I probably won't be re-reading this book and I am very glad that I borrowed from the library rather than purchasing my own copy.

Rating: 2/5

P.S - sorry for the short, somewhat rambling review I couldn't really work out how to coherently put my thoughts on this book together.