Helpful Score: 2
I loved the book and Zigman's style. It was funny and really enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 2
This book made me laugh until I cried. It's a terrific break-up book, and shows how sometimes you get just a little carried away in your psycho-analysis of the relationship.
Helpful Score: 2
A clever conceit, but a bit strained after awhile, as it analyzes husband animalry according to time-honored mandates of animal husbandry.
Helpful Score: 2
Completely original book: heart-broken woman becomes an expert in animal behavior as she attempts to understand why her boyfriend left her.
Helpful Score: 2
Very Cute!
Laura Zigman's literary skirmish in the ongoing battle of the sexes is based on a singularly unoriginal observation: the tendency of human males to love 'em and leave 'em, uh, apes the behavior of nearly every other male animal on Earth. If bulls refuse to mate with an "Old Cow," why should women be surprised when they're thrown over? The veracity of this (sexist? sure!) idea aside, Zigman tells the story of jilted Jane Goodall wittily and winningly. Any excess of feminine venom is offset by the suspicion that Zigman is speaking from painful experience. And if she's not, it's a testament to the effectiveness of Animal Husbandry that it's so easy to think so. Here's a taste:
In the metamorphosis from Cow to New Cow, the Current-Cow sob story is an important phase: "I know we just met, but did I happen to mention how sad, miserable, misunderstood, and lonely I've been my whole life?"
This is crucial to introducing the myth of male shyness and the poor-guy persona--common disguises for a wolf in sheep's clothing. "You're so easy to talk to, not like my Current Cow."
Animal Husbandry is likely to be a good, cathartic read for anyone who's been dumped (and who hasn't?). Obviously, male readers will require a thick skin--or at least a sense of humor. But even the most sensitive males will recognize the grain of truth that creates this pearl of break-up literature. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Laura Zigman's literary skirmish in the ongoing battle of the sexes is based on a singularly unoriginal observation: the tendency of human males to love 'em and leave 'em, uh, apes the behavior of nearly every other male animal on Earth. If bulls refuse to mate with an "Old Cow," why should women be surprised when they're thrown over? The veracity of this (sexist? sure!) idea aside, Zigman tells the story of jilted Jane Goodall wittily and winningly. Any excess of feminine venom is offset by the suspicion that Zigman is speaking from painful experience. And if she's not, it's a testament to the effectiveness of Animal Husbandry that it's so easy to think so. Here's a taste:
In the metamorphosis from Cow to New Cow, the Current-Cow sob story is an important phase: "I know we just met, but did I happen to mention how sad, miserable, misunderstood, and lonely I've been my whole life?"
This is crucial to introducing the myth of male shyness and the poor-guy persona--common disguises for a wolf in sheep's clothing. "You're so easy to talk to, not like my Current Cow."
Animal Husbandry is likely to be a good, cathartic read for anyone who's been dumped (and who hasn't?). Obviously, male readers will require a thick skin--or at least a sense of humor. But even the most sensitive males will recognize the grain of truth that creates this pearl of break-up literature. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't care for this book that well. I don't know if you've seen the movie "Someone Like You" but that movie was based off of this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Chick lit; the basis of the movie "Someone Like You" with Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked the format the book was written in, I enjoyed the authors style. The story was working up to a great ending. But it never made it.
The ending just completely ran out of steam. It's like much effort was put into the rest of the book and by the time the end came along she wrapped it up as neatly, quickly, and uneventfully as possible. Not at all good.
Luckily the rewrite for the movie was much better thought out and was fabulous. Too bad the original work wasn't up to par.
The ending just completely ran out of steam. It's like much effort was put into the rest of the book and by the time the end came along she wrapped it up as neatly, quickly, and uneventfully as possible. Not at all good.
Luckily the rewrite for the movie was much better thought out and was fabulous. Too bad the original work wasn't up to par.
Helpful Score: 1
It took me a chapter or two to really get into this book, but it turned out to be a pretty interesting read. There are lots of amusing parts and the story is easy to follow. I liked the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Very funny!
PAPERBACK version of this book
Very different from the 2001 chick flick based on this book, Someone Like You..., starring Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear & Hugh Jackman with Marisa Tomei & Ellen Barkin--especially the ending. But still fun.
