Review of 'Among Animals: The Lives of Animals and Humans in Contemporary Short Fiction', edited by John Yunker. Ashland, ON: Ashland Creek Press, 2014

Abstract

John Yunker's introduction to this valuable short story collection points to how humans have traditionally favoured certain animals over others: "Some animals we welcome into our homes and our lives... Other animals do not receive such adoration or protection. Some are viewed as nuisances, others as expendable. We keep our distance from these species." (Yunker 1) Although the introduction suggests the book will challenge such distinctions ('the many walls we have constructed') readers will find that the more favoured animal species remain very much at the fore in the pages that follow. Among Animals presents fifteen short stories centring on human-animal interactions.