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Title details for The Skunks by Fiona Warnick - Available

The Skunks

by Fiona Warnick
Mara Wilson
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Dear Skunks, I wrote. Then I got stuck. What was there to say about the skunks? Of course there was the smell—the spraying. Everyone's mind jumped to the spraying. I often forgot about the spraying entirely, which was nice because it made me feel that I wasn't like other people. From the outside, Isabel doesn't seem to have much going on. It's the summer after college graduation, and she's moved back to her hometown, where she spends her days house-sitting, babysitting, working the front desk at a yoga studio, and hanging out with her childhood friend Ellie. But on the inside, Isabel's mind is always running, always analyzing, and right now, she's trying hard to not let her thoughts give weight to boys. So when Isabel spots three baby skunks in the yard, their presence is not only a strangely thrilling break from the expected, it feels like a fortuitous sign from the universe. Skunks. That's what she should be thinking about. As the summer unfolds, Isabel becomes increasingly preoccupied with the skunks, while also navigating her various jobs and an ambiguous relationship with Eli, the son of the couple she's house-sitting for. In her own life and in the imagined inner lives of the skunks, Isabel ponders the nature of existence, love vs. infatuation, and the many small moments that make us animal, make us human. The Skunks is an unforgettable coming-of-age story about the complexities of crushes, desire, friendship, and modern life.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 7, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781666659870
      • File size: 138460 KB
      • Duration: 04:48:27

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Mara Wilson gives a charming, thoughtful performance of this contemporary novel. The summer after her college graduation, Isabel is house-sitting and wondering what to do with her life. When she discovers a family of skunks living in the bushes, a tiny world opens up before her. Switching back and forth between Isabel's and the skunks' points of view, this novel delightfully explores uncertainty, relationships, and the beauty of the mundane. Wilson's clear, bright voice suits Isabel's youth and curiosity, and brings warmth and tenderness to the skunks' view of the natural world. As Isabel settles into a routine, she becomes more fascinated with them. Wilson's tender and reflective narration prompts listeners to slow down and be observers. C.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      September 1, 2024

      Having moved back to her hometown for the summer, Isabel spends her days house-sitting, babysitting, doing yoga, and spending time with her childhood best friend, Ellie. Isabel is desperate to think of anything but love and is thrilled when she discovers the perfect distraction--three baby skunks in her backyard. She becomes obsessed with the skunks, imagining a rich world where they talk and interact with her. At the same time, she balances multiple jobs and an ambiguous relationship with the neighbor's son Eli. Warnick's quirky debut, narrated by actor Mara Wilson, is a unique look into the inner world of a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Wilson nails the narration, bringing tenderness to her depiction of Isabel as she meanders through the summer. Though Ellie's journey is occasionally perplexing, Warnick's portrait of a young woman's coming-of-age is both intriguing and absorbing. VERDICT Listeners will be captivated by Warnick's whimsical look at wildlife and full-bodied description of hot summer days in a novel that touches on moments of true insight and beauty.--Elyssa Everling

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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