We the Animals by Justin Torres

“We the Animals” is a novel written by Justin Torres. Published in 2011, it is Torres’ debut work and garnered critical acclaim for its raw and lyrical prose. The book is a coming-of-age story that follows the experiences of three brothers growing up in a dysfunctional working-class family.

“We the Animals” is narrated by the youngest brother, who remains unnamed throughout the novel. The story takes place in upstate New York, and the brothers navigate the challenges and complexities of their environment, their mixed-race heritage, and their parents’ troubled relationship. The book explores themes of identity, sexuality, poverty, violence, and the bonds between siblings.

Torres’ writing style in “We the Animals” is known for its poetic and fragmented prose, capturing the intensity and volatility of the characters’ emotions and experiences. The novel provides a glimpse into the narrator’s inner world and his struggle to understand himself and his place within the family dynamic.

“We the Animals” has received numerous accolades and was a finalist for the 2012 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction. It was also adapted into a film in 2018, directed by Jeremiah Zagar.