Migratory Animals

Migratory Animals brings to the page an astonishing admixture of ambitiousness, originality, and authority that's rare among established writers and exceptional for a first effort. . . . Richly layered and psychologically incisive, it is that rare first novel that leaves the reader clamoring for the next. --The Boston Globe A memorable novel. . . . The characters represent a specific place and a specific era, but their travails and truths are universal and timeless. --San Antonio Express-News A novel of tremendous scope and insight that succeeds both as an exploration of larger global concerns and an acute examination of the most intimate parts of our lives. Mary Helen Specht is a terrific writer -- passionate and generous, wry and insightful. A very moving debut. --Molly Antopol, author of The UnAmericans A promising debut. . . . One of the novel's wonders is the way Specht illustrates her characters -- not with great globs of exposition, but with quick, economical brushstrokes. --Dallas Morning News An ambitious, highly accomplished debut. . . . Specht moves among a deep cast of characters and corresponding perspectives with absolute mastery. . . . Most important, and impressive, is Specht's sure handling of the interior life. --Ben Fountain, author of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk An emotionally nuanced debut. . . . The men and women of Mary Helen Specht's imagination inhabit a world of breathtaking vividness, where life's pains and pleasures ripple through to marvelous effect. A heartbreaking, edifying, and resonant work of art. --Keija Parssinen, author of The Ruins of Us Delightfully ambitious. . . . Specht perfectly captures the minute details of contemporary life in a certain social niche. . . . Novels of such scope and ambition, inspecting the way we encounter the wider world today, are rare. --Joanna Rakoff, The New York Times Book Review In prose as quirky and elegant as its characters, Specht proves that -- after confusion, missteps, even denial -- a village can embrace you. . . . This big, dreamy novel flies by as swift as time. --Debra Monroe, author of On the Outskirts of Normal Mary Helen Specht's lyrical novel reminds me of the work of both Claire Messud and Barbara Kingsolver. . . . A luminous debut. . . . Rich with love and heartbreak, it's the book I'll be wanting to share with all my friends. --Amanda Eyre Ward, author of How to Be Lost Specht's strong, nuanced prose reveals heartfelt insights into her bevy of characters, ensuring a memorable and touching read. --Texas Observer