I am so glad this was such a short read and I can only hope that the movie is much better (though with Hugh Jackman and Greg Kinnear, I can already assume that it is). I picked up the book knowing there is a movie out there based on it. Now, it did have its moments, but it was few and far between. The book centers on Jane Goodall, whose parents had quite the sense of humor. Jane works for a talk show host and is responsible for booking the guests on the show. She begins a relationship with a new producer on the show who is engaged and has been so for several years. They have a whirlwind courtship and plan to move into together when he begins to avoid her at all costs. This is a problem since Jane has already broken the lease at her apartment and is going to need a place to stay. Luckily, another person that works for the talk show needs a roommate around the same time Jane and Ray (the producer) break up so she moves in with him. Of course Eddie is a player who brings home a different woman every other night. Or picks out "wives" every months. In order to figure out why Ray broke things off with her, to justify it, she begins what she calls a hobby, writing about Eddie and his women, along with her friend is going through men troubles, and she begins to research male animals and their mating patterns. It kind of turns into a sort of obsession. And maybe I'm too much of a romantic, but the entire book I was waiting for more to happen between Jane and Eddie. And maybe this happens in the movie (I'm sure it does. Who doesn't want to hook up with Hugh Jackman?) but it surely doesn't happen in the book. It may allude to it in the end when Jane realizes that hey, not all men leave women (I hope not, for my husbands sake), but they all leave her! and Eddie comforts her, but that's about all the reader gets. It's an alright idea, but I wasn't too huge a fan. I won't be reselling it, but I won't be rereading it either.
Three words: New Cow Theory. If you haven't read this, or seen the movie Someone Like You, the New Cow Theory states that men are like bulls: they tend to mate and then get the hell out of Dodge. What this means is that you may date a man for x number of months or years, but eventually he will leave you for a newer, younger, fresher cow/woman. You may try to disguise yourself as a newer, younger, fresher version of yourself, but the man/bull will always know you're "mutton dressed as lamb." This may sound depressing, and it kind of is, but Animal Husbandry tells the tale of Jane Goodall, a producer for a small television talk-show, as she tries to figure out what it means to be a thirtysomething woman looking for love and dealing with love-lost in a quirky, heartwrenching, funny and all-around enjoyable way. As you read you become invested in the characters, laughing and crying along with them, which is all you can ask for in a good piece of fiction. So come see how Jane tries to weed through the "Old Cow Sob Stories" as she tries to find a truly sympathetic, loving and monogamous man.
Do You like book Animal Husbandry (1998)?
Years ago, this old cow saw the movie that was based on this book. As usual, the book is so much more clever and entertaining. I like how the novel played with the tendency that women have to dissect romantic relationships and break ups. While I think you can learn something from analyzing a previous relationship, trying to "understand" it all doesn't really help you get over the fact that someone you loved doesn't feel the same way about you and it is over and that means they are never coming back. I do think this book would be a good recommendation for anyone currently trying to get through a break up. That is to say it would help them get a better prospective on things than drinking too much wine, shouting out the lyrics to Alanis Morrisette's You Outta Know, and then drunk dialing whoever broke up with you.
—Jill
Going through the pages, I spotted creepy descriptions of animal mating rituals (and creepy's great), so I burrowed it from a friend and gave it a read. I have to admit it only deserves two stars writing-wise, as in style and complexity of language used. But I really liked the book! I felt I was having a long talk with some highly experienced best friend; I had a few giggles, and a few moments feeling all mushy and moved. We can all relate to the old cow-new cow theory and if not directly, then to stories that happen with our friends or practically everyone. But funny thing, I related to the bulls, like Eddie and Ray, more often than the females. I might just be another helpless asshole.
—Zeina
I think I bought this book after seeing the movie based on it, called "Someone Like You" with Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman...so a rare instance where I buy and read a book after (or because of) seeing the movie. I liked the movie and I remember running across the book in the bookstore, and the quirky voice and writing style the author had was much funnier in text...so I bought it. This was a weird story where I would have liked a middle-of-the-road version between the book and the movie, better than either the book or the movie. I liked how the ending of the book kept it real and realistic, and not so schmaltzy...but it still kept me wanting just a little bit more. Definitely a light beach read...not one of the best ones I've ever read, by any stretch, but not one of the worst either. Middle of the road....
—Candice
