B. Morrison on Setting the Family Free: A Fascinating Premise for a Story

Another book blogger has published a positive review of Setting the Family Free! 

This one comes from the B. Morrison Monday Morning Book Blog.

“One of the things I love about this novel is the compassionate insight Goodman brings to Sammy, the animals themselves, and the various men who must hunt them down before they kill any more people,” Morrison writes.

“Another thing I admire about this book is the unusual format. Chapters with traditional scenes alternate with sections made up of snippets of quotes from various people, and sometimes with news articles. This combination speeds up the pace of the story and plunges us into the terrible race to save the citizens of central Ohio. The hunters are rural police officers, aided by a couple of animal experts. Already horrified at what they must do, they are hampered by the questioning and accusing voices of those sitting safely far away. Their job is also complicated by the obliviousness of those who continue hiking and walking to work and taking children to playgrounds despite the urgent warnings to stay inside.”

Morrison calls into question why one of the minor characters is a female reporter with questionable motives, and the reviewer ponders what effect such "stereotypes" have on our culture. I would point out that other of the novel's female characters are cast in a kinder light—such as the more rational reporter on the local news and the former wife and co-owner of the animals. Likewise, some of the male characters are more “derided and demonized” than any of the female characters. 

I agree that authors should consider how they present their characters—something I carefully scrutinize as I develop them and in rewriting. Not all female characters need to be “good,” and not all male characters need to be “bad.” I try to find balance and to present multiple views. How different people perceive things differently is at the heart of much of my writing.

Beyond this aside, Morrison’s review was a strong endorsement for Setting the Family Free, even encouraging it for young adults and adults as the perfect prompt for conversation.

“As we learn more about animal intelligence, we begin to question the idea that we should have dominion over them,” Morrison writes. “This book is a valuable step in opening that conversation.”

Read the full review at the link below:

http://www.bmorrison.com/setting-the-family-free-by-eric-d-goodman/