Animal

By: K'wan

Narrated by: Cary Hite

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

K’wan delivers his bloodiest story yet.

“One bullet changed everything.”

Three years after narrowly escaping a one way trip to the gas chamber, the fugitive known only as Animal finds himself drawn back to the scene of the crime: Harlem.

Throughout his entire time in exile, the only thing that kept Animal going was the thought that he would one day be reunited with his soul mate, Gucci - but one bullet changed everything. When his enemies tried to murder Gucci, they crossed the line, so he vowed to cross them all.

While Gucci teeters between life and death, Animal sets out on a bloody mission fueled by love and orchestrated by bullets. There will be no more innocents. Alliances are formed and secrets uncovered while Animal wages his personal war on the streets of Harlem, with the end result revealing one great truth: he is only a small piece in a much larger puzzle.

About the author: K’wan is the number one Essence best-selling author of Section 8, Gutter, Still Hood, Hood Rat, Eve, Hoodlum, Street Dreams, Gangsta, Road Dawgz, and others. He has been featured in Time, New York Press, King, Big News, and on MTV.

©2012 K'wan Foye (P)2012 Blackstone Publishing, and Urban Audiobooks

Sophmoric, new low for adult literature

This book has a lot of high ratings - I do not understand any of them. Usually if there is violence in a story, it is in a good against evil context, in this book, a depiction of life in the inner city, there is only violence for violence sake. The degradation of women is atrocious, they are cursed at, raped, shot and used to package crack and on top of that anytime more that 3 are together at one time a fight breaks out and someone is killed or some man steps in to stop the murder. There is no character with any redeeming feature in the book, the lead character spends his entire time drunk, stoned and killing or torturing other people from the 'hood' - under the pretense of avenging his "woman" Gucci, who was shot by accident in a drive-by which sends him into serial killer mode, never mind that this idiot has a trail of dead bodies behind him a mile long.
The lack of skill at the craft of writing demonstrated in this train wreck is amazing, it is at the level of a high school sophomore D- student, with serious emotional problems as well. I would have to check but if there is a complete sentence without the f-bomb, n-word or degrading reference to a woman I would be surprised. If the lead characters spend any time not hitting a blunt, drinking, smoking crack or hanging out in a strip club they are looking to kill someone. As depicted this is a window into a grotesque world of barbarism, human degradation and ignorance written without talent and without any positive contribution to society. I would not recommend one second of this trash.

5 stars, 2 thumbs up, 4 out of 5 dentist recommend

Would you listen to Animal again? Why?

I would definitely listen to Animal again. The story is action packed and drama filled I simply couldn't get enough!! This is easily my favorite book written by K'wan.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the whole story from beginning to end. I was already invested in the characters from the previous books so the anticipation was already there. I liked that it kept me on my toes. Anyone in this story could have been a victim of circumstance and you will end up surprised who makes it and who doesn't.

What about Cary Hite’s performance did you like?

I think Cary Hite did an excellent job narrating this story. I'm already familiar with his voice from the stories prior but this one in particular I feel as though he put real emotion into what he was reading. Kudos!

If you could rename Animal, what would you call it?

I wouldn't change a single thing!!

Any additional comments?

K'wan is most definitely a talented author and all his work should be made available on audio.

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME

What did you love best about Animal?

'Animal' is quick paced and yet you get multiple characters that are fully developed and worth caring about. Having not read any of the previous novels, K'wan led me along and like the proverbial onion unravelled a fabulous standalone story.

What other book might you compare Animal to and why?

Perhaps 'Beat the Reaper' due to the two anti=heroes but the overall plot is heavily in favour of 'Animal'.

What does Cary Hite bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Cary Hite has just become one of my favourite narrators, He does justice to the language and the flavour of the novel.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hang on to your Hats !!!

Any additional comments?

I had never heard of Urban Fiction let alone K'wan Foye. I am now a big fan of both!!!! FABULOUS!!!!!

A Brutal Glimpse into Life in The Hood

What does Cary Hite bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Cary Hite's voice was an entertainment all on its own! I couldn't get enough of him speaking like a mad black woman. Especially when in the role of scolding a child, or telling a guy to get lost. He got the attitude just right!

In the more serious male roles, he nailed it right on the head. He switched seamlessly from threatening, to pleading, to joking, to murderous...creating an atmosphere you could feel in your gut.

He made it easy to think you're really listening to an entire cast of performers carry you through this story.

Any additional comments?

This is my second K'wan novel. The first was Section 8, and it was like nothing I've ever heard before. I was so excited to see more of his work available here on audible. K'wan's writing is outstanding. It's almost TOO real, and at times makes your heart skip a beat when you think that, just maybe, the gang members behind all the shootings you hear about in the news (especially here in Chicago) are people eerily similar to the ones in this book.

In a way, it's as though one of those news paper articles reached out and grabbed you by the nose and pulled you inside - behind the scenes - where the killers are lurking in every corner, and god-forbid you do as much as accidentally bump their arm as you're passing by.

This is a credit very well-spent. But fasten your seat-belt, because it's one hell of a ride.

Animal Fan for Life!!!

I love these books!! I have been an Animal fan since first listening to Welfare Wifeys. I like this series so much I had to go back and purchase the first book "Section 8". I'm glad I did. Cary Hite is my favorite narrator because he bring the characters to life. I truly hope there will be another book. I was glad that the Suge Knight wannabe got the sh*t slapped out of him but was devastated at what happened to Teonna.
Don't stop now Kwan because you are on a roll! Your ghetto novels are the BOMBDIGITY and I am an ANIMAL fan for life!

WOW!!! K'wan is a BEAST!!

What did you love best about Animal?

I love how all these stories entertwine!! The characters there lives and all the drama!! I was on the edge of my seat holding my breath waiting for all the cards to fall. I didn't see the ending coming but I definitely can't wait until the next one. This is hood tales at its best!! I love Kwan!!

Love it

If you could sum up Animal in three words, what would they be?

I want him , strong protective but yet still sensitive enough to love !

What did you like best about this story?

Animal determination

Which character – as performed by Cary Hite – was your favorite?

Animal

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Must read all to understand animals character
Section 8
Welfare wifey
Eviction notice
Animal

NEVER DISAPOINTED

If you could sum up Animal in three words, what would they be?

Focused, deadly, determined.

What about Cary Hite’s performance did you like?

Cary Hite did an awesome job on this book. He was the perfect narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Tiana was thrown out the window, I wasn't ready to let her go.

Any additional comments?

I really loved hearing more about Frankie, Portia, Zo Pound but would really love Don B to get what's coming to him. How long can scum keep coming out on top? It would be wonderful for him to get his, and in a bad way. The only thing that would have made this book better was to see Animal ask for help in the beginning and see the large group of men on the opposite side of the Clarks put together a good plan and make it happen. King James was right when he stated things would have been different if Animal had turned to him for help but at the same time I see why Animal didn't; he couldn't live with their deaths on his concious. As it was his concious was killing him.

K'wan always delivers!

The only thing... I wanted more! It just wasn't enough!
I loved this book. Now I'm going to re-listen to the whole hood rat series.

Animal is a masterpiece!

Powerful! Exhilarating! K’wan never disappoints! He's one of the hottest authors out there! You’re not going to want the book to end... :D