I really didn't know what I was getting into when I won this book, but I was glad that I did. This is a compilation of fictional short stories from a variety of authors that showcase the relationships between animals and humans. Through these stories, we are reminded that the way we treat animals reflects back on us as humans.
Some thoughts on my favorite stories in the compilation:
Litter: Told from a stray dog's point of view as the dog tries to survive on the streets and an examines the relationship of its human rescuers as the muddle through a relationship. I loved this story and the dogs point of view, we hear many rescue stories from the human's point of view that is always how the animal saved the human. I appreciate the story from the other side and examining how dogs end up on the street.
The Boto's Child: An enchanting and magical story about the mythology surrounding the pink river dolphins of the Amazon, the Boto's. Even though completely based on mythology of several native Amazon tribes, this moving story shows how humans have empathized with the Boto for centuries.
Miriam's Lantern: An appropriate closing story for the collection; a young man watches the last of a species of bird die alone in captivity. As he watches the bird live out it's life, he examines his own choices, knowing that he had a hand in the species demise. I thought this story was especially poignant today, as we may very well be watching a variety of species die due to choices we have made.
Among Animals was provided for free through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.