Link: amzn.to/rKabg0

Grade: C+

L/C Ratio: 80/20
(This means I estimate the author devoted 80% of his effort to creating a literary work of art and 20% of his effort to creating a commercial bestseller.) 

Thematic Breakdown:
40% - Dysfunctional family relationships
30% - Reality of poverty
20% - Coming of age
10% - Brotherhood bonding

I imagine there is an early draft of We The Animals that is a little more captivating and a little more accessible than the final version of Torres’ debut novel. My guess is that either the author or his editor spent a great deal of time whittling down the plot to make it seem as subtle and nuanced as possible.

What that leaves us with is a short book (you can finish it in an hour) comprised of loosely connected sketches detailing what feels like fictionalized memories from Torres’ own youth. Torres is purposefully unclear about the timeline of the scenes, and doing so prevents the tepid climax from making any kind of honest impact.

The writing – specifically the use of a child’s perspective – is powerful enough to convey the depressing atmosphere of the characters’ household, but after a while the lyrical nature of Torres’ language feels forced and unnecessary instead of poetic.