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Book Reviews of Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry
Animal Husbandry
Author: Laura Zigman
ISBN-13: 9780385319034
ISBN-10: 0385319037
Publication Date: 3/1/2001
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 77

3.2 stars, based on 77 ratings
Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I loved the book and Zigman's style. It was funny and really enjoyable.
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 59 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 132 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 8 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 18 more book reviews
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.
mrscrodian avatar reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 35 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Chick lit; the basis of the movie "Someone Like You" with Hugh Jackman and Ashley Judd.
Danette avatar reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 22 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Animal Husbandry on
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!
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 22 more book reviews
PAPERBACK version of this book
reviewed Animal Husbandry on + 255 more book reviews
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.