Name All The Animals

After completing the incredibly depressing (yet well-written) The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath, we asked our creative writing teacher for something a bit happier. He responded by giving us Name All The Animals, a memoir by Alison Smith which starts off with the death of her older brother. Although not exactly any happier than The Bell Jar, because the character isn't clinically depressed, the story has lighter moments and the main character is more likable. I personally like the book, although not as much as I liked The Bell Jar. I was immediately interested in it because of the title, and the book has remained equally interesting. I like that with the death of her brother the family's opinion on religion changes; Alison's parents turn to religion, but she believes God has walked out of her life and she is unable to reconnect with her faith. I'm not thrilled with the book so far, but I at least like that it's interesting and I hope the book becomes slightly less depressing.