Animal Stories Rock.
Finding Animal Stories for adults.
ANIMAL STORIES FOR ADULTS OF ALL AGES: Call of the Wild to Animal Farm
If you search “Best Animal Stories” online, you’ll get this:
“Some popular and well-loved animal stories include ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White, ‘Black Beauty’ by Anna Sewell, and ‘The Call of the Wild’ by Jack London. These tales explore themes of friendship, Nature, and resilience through the eyes of various animals…”
Now maybe this is the answer you were seeking.
The stories of a talking spider and a narrating carriage horse were considered Children’s Classic Books. London’s realistic yarn of a Klondike era sled dog (and savage wolves) was an adult story that ended up on childhood bookshelves. If it hadn’t been about an heroic dog named Buck, it would have been on grown-up shelves with other Jack London titles such as “The Sea-Wolf,” “Martin Eden” and “The Iron Heel.”
Animal stories had (and still have) a hint of something you outgrow. But some of us never have outgrown them, eh?
As I’ve said before, my first literary hero was Sir Charles G D Roberts. Almost forgotten today, Canadian Roberts was once as popular as Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling. “Canada’s leading man of letters” was published in the same magazines as they were.
More to the point, he created a new literary genre: the Realistic Animal Story — the attempt to write about wild animals as they really lived and felt. Wolves and moose and ravens and bears.
Some of Roberts’ short stories were reprinted in our Elementary school readers and it was there that I met him.
He was telling me stories about the very same New Brunswick evergreen forests that I loved to roam. And I was enthralled.
I quickly raided the school library where I found some beat-up copies of his hardcovers.
Books like “Earth’s Enigmas” and “Kindred of the Wild,” with wonderful illustrations by Charles Livingston Bull.
And then I found books by other wilderness writers who had followed his trail. Ernest Thompson Seton, Jack London, George Marsh and the masterful Grey Owl. Farley Mowat would arrive later.
They were still considered books for school-aged readers. But that was okay with me. There they were — waiting for boys and girls to discover at a time we really needed ’em!
But what about NOW? What if there are times we want to read a good story that’s not about self-obsessed Humans? We aren’t that important.
What if we want an Animal Tale written for Grown-ups? Animal Stories for Adults of All Ages.
“Animal Stories for Adults of All Ages” can be a broad topic, encompassing various types of stories about animals, from fictional narratives to realistic accounts.
So — back to Google. Generative AI and all. Past, Present and (who knows?) maybe the Future…
Here’s a breakdown of what this search-phrase revealed:
1. Realistic Animal Stories:
These stories often focus on the lives, behaviors, and interactions of animals in their natural environments. Examples include:
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- Documentaries: Series like “Planet Earth” or “Life” explore the animal kingdom through captivating visuals and narration.
- Wildlife Literature: Books by authors like Farley Mowat (e.g., “Never Cry Wolf” and “A Whale for the Killing”) or John Muir, delve into the world of wildlife with a focus on factual details and observations.
- Animal Memoirs: Accounts of personal experiences with animals, like “My Dog Was Called Pal” by a Civilized Bears reviewer, can offer intimate perspectives on the human-animal bond.
2. Fictional Animal Stories:
These stories use animals as characters, sometimes with human-like traits and personalities. Examples include:
- Classic Animal Tales: Stories like Aesop’s Fables or the works of Beatrix Potter, which use animals to teach moral lessons.
- Contemporary Novels & Short Stories: Stories by authors like Charles G D Roberts or Brian Alan Burhoe (of Civilized Bears fame) explore animal themes with a fictional, often realistic, approach.
- Fantasy Stories: Tales where animals play a central role in fantastical worlds, such as “The Hobbit” or “The Chronicles of Narnia,” can offer a unique blend of fantasy and animal-based storytelling.
3. Stories with Animals as Symbols or Metaphors:
These stories use animals to represent deeper themes or ideas. Examples include:
- Literary Works: Novels or poems that use animals as symbols of human qualities or societal issues.
- Religious Texts: Stories like the parable of the Good Samaritan, which use an animal (a donkey) to illustrate a moral principle.
4. Stories about Animal Rights and Welfare:
These stories raise awareness about animal cruelty and the importance of protecting animals. Examples include:
- Animal Rescue Stories: Accounts of organizations or individuals rescuing and rehabilitating animals.
- Advocacy Pieces: Articles or books that explore the ethical considerations surrounding animal ownership and treatment.
5. Stories with Strong Themes
For adults interested in animal stories, several options offer captivating narratives and insightful perspectives.
- “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein is a popular choice for its heartwarming and thought-provoking story from a dog’s perspective.
- “Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a classic allegorical novel exploring social commentary and power dynamics.
- Richard Adams’s “Watership Down” is another option that delves into the natural world, freedom, and society.
Beyond these, other notable options include:
6. True Animal Stories:
- “Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World” offers a heartwarming story about a cat who brings joy to a library.
- “Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl” chronicles the bond between an owl and his human companion.
- “The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild” and “A Street Cat Named Bob” also offer compelling true stories.
7. Fiction with Animal Narrators:
- “Mink River” by Brian Doyle and “The Bees” by Laline Paull feature animal narrators that offer unique perspectives.
- “The White Bone” by Barbara Gowdy explores an animal’s perspective in a drought.
8. Nonfiction Animal Books:
- “Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds” tells the story of Elsa, a lioness who survived as a captive.
- “Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity” explores the impact of captivity on marine life.
9. Historical Animal Narratives:
- “Black Beauty” follows the life of a horse in the 1800s, offering a look into the past and the treatment of animals.
- “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” tells the story of a horse and his journey.
10. Other Animal-Related Books:
- “The Cat Who Saved Books” is a heartwarming story about a cat who works at a library.
- “The Traveling Cat Chronicles” offers a heartwarming story about a cat’s journeys.
So that, mon ami, is what Generative AI found. At least Adult Animal Stories are acknowledged. Guess we’ve just gotta keep searching!
Do You love Dog Stories?
Read this story of the Wolf who rescued a Husky!
READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL YARN: “I LOVE THE HAPPY ENDING!”
“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron
“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k
An “compelling, captivating” narrative in the Jack London Tradition. Story of a lone Gray Wolf and his quest for a place in the far-flung forests of the feral North. WOLFBLOOD: A Wild Wolf, A Half-Wild Husky & A Wily Old Trapper
For more, see “Discover what animal experts and influencers are reading—from immersive memoirs to a graphic novel and a children’s classic.” Experts Share their Favorite Animal-Inspired Books.
In “McCleod’s Partner,” prospector John McCleod rescues a starving half-grown husky pup he quickly names Pard. SEE SLED TRAILS AND WHITE WATERS – A Collection of Stories by George Marsh – Book Review
NOTE: Art on this page is by wildlife illustrator Charles Livingston Bull.
TAGS: animal stories for adults, dog stories for adult, pet stories for adults, best animal stories for adults, short stories for adults.
