Justin Torres: "We The Animals"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-08-30/justin-torres-we-animals
Justin Torres
Simon Koy
A first novel by 31-year-old author Justin Torres is getting the sort of reaction writers dream about. Michael Cunningham calls it “a dark jewel of a book.” Marilynne Robinson describes the writing as “brilliant, poised and pure.” The book is a semi-autobiographic portrait of three brothers, their white mother and Puerto Rican father. Living in upstate New York, they deal with abuse, racism, poverty and hunger. They love one another deeply, even as they threaten to destroy each other. Torres joins Diane to discuss the joys and heartbreaks of family.
Guests
Justin Torres
author
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Read an Excerpt
Excerpt from "We the Animals:" A Novel by Justin Torres. Copyright 2011 by Justin Torres. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved:
Comments
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I just got home from the grocery store and was putting the food away when I started listening to the excerpt read out by the Justin. You are a genius. You made me cry and I didn't even hear the whole thing. Wow. Thank you for "moving" me. I have two boys and I am going to read out the part you read when they get home from school. Then I will look forward to the "gift" of silence on Saturday morning. ha ha ha.
Hi I congratulate you for your book, but there is something I do not understand, are you referring "puerto rican" in your book as a race or color of skin? if so why?
One of the best pieces in recent months on NPR. Diane, thanks so much for introducing me to Justin Torres. Fell in love with him and cannot wait to read the book.
Thank you Diane for having such an inspiring guest. What a turn around Justin has made of his life, and what a reader you are! Can't wait to read your book.
I enjoyed the interview too but I must say, as a retired school teacher, the author had very poor speech patterns, not articulate in oral speech as he is in the written word. Too many"ya knows" and "uhs" to make the interview entirely enjoyable. I thought Diane would have said something a few times.
I enjoyed the interview...I wish the author could bring out a autobiography...but the book sounds..like a very interesting read..thanks for the interview...Mr. Torres...
I enjoyed the interview...I wish the author could bring out a autobiography...but the book sounds..like a very interesting read..thanks for the interview...Mr. Torres...
I enjoyed Justin's reading of his work and plan on reading the book. His lyrical writing reminds me of Dael Orleandersmith's prose. Justin if you are reading these reviews you should read Orleandersmith's "Monster." Specifically "Paco's Moves."
We The Animals reads like a nonfiction novel a la Truman Copote. I read it in one sitting, and I love it. I will go back now and study each beautifully crafted vignette. Justin, thank you for this treasure.
We loved loved loved this book: http://oxfordamerican.org/articles/2012/mar/28/book-review-justin-torres/. Can't wait to meet him at the Arkansas Literary Festival!