52 pages • 1 hour read
Justin TorresWe The Animals
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
We The Animals by Justin Torres is a 2011 debut novel about three brothers, Manny, Joel, and the unnamed narrator, living in upstate New York. Narrated by the youngest brother, the novel unfolds in 19 vignettes depicting the boys' tumultuous childhood. The narrative explores their complex relationships with their parents, Paps and Ma, highlighting cultural identity struggles and familial bonds amidst contrasting instances of love and abuse. The narrator gradually realizes his differences from his brothers as he navigates his own path, leading to a poignant climax and eventual institutionalization. The text contains instances of physical, sexual, and mental abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
We The Animals by Justin Torres has been widely praised for its lyrical prose and poignant exploration of family dynamics. Critics commend Torres for his powerful, evocative writing and raw emotional depth. However, some note the novel's brevity and fragmented narrative might not appeal to all readers. Overall, it is heralded as a compelling and evocative debut.
Who Should Read We The Animals?
Fans of raw, lyrical narratives and coming-of-age tales would appreciate Justin Torres’s We the Animals. Those who love the intensity of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or the poetic prose of Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street will find this novel captivating and resonant.