The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals..., Becky Mandelbaum
The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals..., Becky Mandelbaum
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The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals

Author: Becky Mandelbaum

Narrator: Tim Paige, Rebekkah Ross, Gabra Zackman

Unabridged: 9 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/04/2020


Synopsis

From the winner of the 2016 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction comes a “heartwarming and sharp-witted debut” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) set over one emotionally charged weekend at an animal sanctuary in western Kansas, where maternal, romantic, and community bonds are tested in the wake of an estranged daughter’s homecoming.

The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals is in trouble.

It’s late 2016 when Ariel discovers that her mother Mona’s animal sanctuary in Western Kansas has not only been the target of anti-Semitic hate crimes—but that it’s also for sale, due to hidden financial ruin. Ariel, living a new life in progressive Lawrence, and estranged from her mother for six long years, knows she has to return to her childhood home—especially since her own past may have played a role in the attack on the sanctuary. Ariel expects tension, maybe even fury, but she doesn’t anticipate that her first love, a ranch hand named Gideon, will still be working at Bright Side.

Back in Lawrence, Ariel’s charming but hapless fiancé, Dex, grows paranoid about her sudden departure. After uncovering Mona’s address, he sets out to confront Ariel, but instead finds her grappling with the life she’s abandoned. Amid the reparations with her mother, it’s clear that Ariel is questioning the meaning of her life in Lawrence, and whether she belongs with Dex or someone else, somewhere else.

Acclaimed writer Pam Houston says that “Mandelbaum is wise beyond her years and twice as talented,” and The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals poignantly explores the unique love and tension between mothers and daughters, and humans and animals alike. “A story of reconciliation and forgiveness (and so many animals)” (Steven Rowley, bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus), Mandelbaum’s debut offers a panoramic view of the meaning of home and reminds us that love provides refuge, and underscores our similarities as human beings, no matter how alone or far apart we may feel.

About Becky Mandelbaum

Becky Mandelbaum is the author of Bad Kansas, winner of the 2016 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction and the 2018 High Plains Book Award for First Book. Her work has appeared in One StoryThe SunThe Missouri ReviewThe Georgia Review, Electric Literature, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and has been featured on Medium. She has received fellowships from Writing by Writers, a residency from The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, and has taught at Seattle’s Hugo House. Originally from Kansas, she currently lives in Washington State. The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals is her first novel.

About Gabra Zackman

Gabra Zackman knows romance. Her clever and “thrilling romantic caper” (Library Journal) Bod Squad series was inspired by the more than one hundred romance and women’s fiction titles she has narrated for audio. She divides her time between her native New York City and Denver, Colorado.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Theresa

If you’re a Trump supporter, you’ll hate this book. I loved this book. It is set after Trump is elected but before he takes office. Ariel left her small town in Kansas for the relatively big town of Lawrence, KS, to attend college. She left her mother with such a rift between them, they haven’t spoke......more

Goodreads review by Becky

I can honestly say I've read this book more times than any other book I've ever read, and it still held my interest. Dogs! Love! Kansas! Many subconsciously generated references to cake, candy, and cookies! What more could you possibly want?......more

Goodreads review by Donna

Becky Mandelbaum is the real deal. In 2016 she published a short story collection, Bad Kansas, which I read and loved. And so when I found this debut novel on Net Galley, I leapt at the chance to read and review it. Big thanks to Net Galley, and to Simon and Schuster. This book will be available to......more


Quotes

"Narrators Gabra Zackman, Rebekkah Ross, and Tim Paige capture the characters in this heartwarming story. Mona is an overworked single mother who is running a large animal sanctuary that is not doing well. Zackman nails Mona's seemingly unemotional side. Ross portrays Ariel, Mona's self-involved daughter, who is coming to terms with her choices. Changes in pace and pauses help display Ariel's developing control of her emotions. Paige portrays Dex, Ariel's fiancé, a loving and carefree man, by adding a bit of goofiness to his tone that seems to suit Dex to a tee. Once everyone is at the sanctuary, emotions come to the forefront, adding to the climax."