Animals in Literature

The selections in this Collection explore the common motif of animals in literature. From classic novels to contemporary poetry and nonfiction, these titles delve into the relationships between humans and animals, shedding light on the profound impact animals have on our lives and exploring humanity's relationship with the natural world.

A Dog Called Homeless

by Sarah Lean

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Grief, Disability, Childhood & Youth, Death, Friendship, Community, Art, Good & Evil, Justice, Gender Identity, Self Discovery

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Grief & Death, Children`s Literature

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A Dog's Life

by Ann M. Martin

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Grief, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Aging, Childhood & Youth, Death, Animals, Food, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt

Tags Animals, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

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A Dog's Purpose

by W. Bruce Cameron

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Memory

Tags Fantasy, Humor, Animals, Modern Classic Fiction

A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans is a novel by Bruce W. Cameron and is the first in his A Dog’s Purpose series of novels. Written in 2010, the novel was a New York Times bestseller for 49 weeks. The novel is unique in that it is narrated by a dog. The dog lives four lives over the course of the novel, seeking a purpose for his life during each of his incarnations. In... Read A Dog's Purpose Summary

A Handful of Stars

by Cynthia Lord

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Loneliness, Regret, Race, Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Grandparents, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Immigration, Art, Beauty

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Animals, Arts & Culture

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A Kestrel For A Knave

by Barry Hines

Publication year 1968

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Hope, Masculinity, Coming of Age, Animals, Siblings, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Economics, Education, Justice

Tags Classic Fiction, Animals, British Literature, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature

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All Creatures Great and Small

by James Herriot

Publication year 1972

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Community, Love

Tags British Literature, Animals, Humor

All Creatures Great and Small is the first in a series of fictionalized memoirs by Yorkshire veterinarian James Alfred “Alf” Wight (1916-1995), writing under the name James Herriot. Originally published in the UK as two shorter volumes, If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet (1972), the US publisher released them as a single volume in 1972 under a new title drawn from the Anglican hymn “All Things Bright and... Read All Creatures Great and Small Summary

A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare

Publication year 1595

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Love, Order & Chaos, Appearance & Reality

Tags British Literature, Comedy & Satire, Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Arts & Culture, Love & Sexuality, Relationships, Animals

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedic play by William Shakespeare that was likely first written and performed around 1600. The first certifiably recorded performance took place in 1604. Set in the Greek city-state of Athens, the play centers on an impending marriage. Before the wedding, the characters find themselves in a forest where a group of fairies manipulates and tricks them. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and most performed... Read A Midsummer Night's Dream Summary

Animal Farm

by George Orwell

Publication year 1945

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Equality, Power & Greed, Community

Tags Satirical Literature, European History, Politics & Government, Philosophy, Animals, Post-War Era, Symbolic Narrative, British Literature, Science Fiction, Education, Education, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Published in 1945, Animal Farm by George Orwell (1903-1950) achieved immediate success and remains one of Orwell’s most popular works. A political satire in the guise of a moving and whimsical animal fable, the novella is about a group of farm animals who overthrow their owner, Mr. Jones, and establish animal rule. Although the animals start with high hopes for Animal Farm as a harmonious and just utopia where “all animals are equal” (19), it... Read Animal Farm Summary

Animal Liberation

by Peter Singer

Publication year 1977

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Environment

Tags Philosophy, Animals, Science & Nature, Philosophy, Social Justice, Food, Politics & Government

Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals is a book by renowned Australian philosopher Peter Singer. Published in 1975 and re-released most recently in 2009, with an additional preface by the author, the book is widely recognized as a foundational text within the animal liberation movement. Singer tries to persuade the reader of his or her own implicit “speciesism,” a term he popularized, and he argues that the discrimination against other species... Read Animal Liberation Summary