Animal Magnet [Paperback]

I loved this novel. It's one of the best I have read in years. I think Gary Anderson deserves the Booker. If he wins next year, I want it to be known that I called it right here! September 23, 2011! Gary Anderson is a fantastic writer.

I really enjoyed this book. The twists and turns through time and the corresponding vernacular kept me turning the pages. I look forward to the next book from Mr. Anderson. Unfortunately I have lent the book out and lost track of where is has gone. I suspect I will buy another copy as it is worth a another read.

"Animal Magnet" by Gary Anderson offers one of the most innovative and readable new novels that I've read in years: is it Barth or is it Pynchon? Each chapter represents a generation in the life of a man whom we first meet as Ernest Wilhelm Syfert, a stableboy's stableboy in the 1700s and we follow his offspring through several generations until we reach one generation beyond the current day. The narrative voice changes to reflect the writing styles of novels of that day and age. In Chapter One the narrative of Syfert reads like the style of John Barth in Ebineezer Cooke of "The Sotweed Factor" and sounds like the witty dialogue in the repartee of Mason and Dixon in Pynchon's eponymous genius novel. "Animal Magnet" is a cunning, bawdy tale and the story line is wickedly unexpected with richly, drawn characters attempting vainly and often futilely to fend off or overcome the animal passions that rule their intriguing but sordid destinies. How they all seek so earnestly some semblance of dignity and even integrity. Anderson's central theme about the laughable and often pathetic ineptness of Syfert and his progeny to master their animal instincts connects the chapters about each generation's protagonist. He is astute and inventive and truly original in the way that he drives the characters' sons into the next generation and the women that they meet. I found myself howling in every chapter at the delicious, raucous and incredibly inventive plot points in the story line where each character meets his fateful, unbridled undoing. If character is destiny, then it seems our destiny is to follow our animal instincts into no end of trouble and they may well be the death of us. How true to life is this verisimilitudinous theme? Gary Anderson consistently amazes in terms of his pure literary invention. Anderson's ability to capture the narrative styles of each successive generation of protagonist is impressive as only an astute writer would attempt it and amid such narrative ambition succeed. The invention in the narrative voices and in the turns of phrases was captivating for a sophisticated reader of literary novels who seeks new literary styles. Within this great novel resides a masterfully composed narrative that I earnestly entreat you to read. While I may have edited this book differently in places, it is truly rare to uncover such talent in an incredibly intelligent, literary voice at work: Gary Anderson's literary creativity is off the charts. If you like Pynchon and Barth, then you'll adore "Animal Magnet": I really can't recommend it more highly. You'll laugh your head off throughout the novel: it is an elegantly delicious read. Reward yourself without repercussion by giving in to your animal spirits and read "Animal Magnet."