Beautiful Animals

A Novel

By: Lawrence Osborne

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

On a hike during a white-hot summer break on the Greek island of Hydra, Naomi and Samantha make a startling discovery: a man named Faoud, sleeping heavily, exposed to the elements, but still alive. Naomi, the daughter of a wealthy British art collector who has owned a villa in the exclusive hills for decades, convinces Sam, a younger American girl on vacation with her family, to help this stranger. As the two women learn more about the man, a migrant from Syria and a casualty of the crisis raging across the Aegean Sea, their own burgeoning friendship intensifies. But when their seemingly simple plan to help Faoud unravels, all must face the horrific consequences they have set in motion.

In this brilliant psychological study of manipulation and greed, Lawrence Osborne explores the dark heart of friendship and shows just how often the road to hell is paved with the best of intentions.

©2017 Lawrence Osborne (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Brilliant

Narratively and morally complex. Beautifully written. The sort of book that stays with one long after the last page has been read.

Intrigue of the privileged

I really enjoyed this story. The narration was the top as well. I don't know what I was expecting but the writing was so crafted that I was caught off guard. From Sam's beauty to Naomi's cleverness, the story constantly surprised me.

If I expected anything, it was more political commentary regarding Syrian refugees. That aspect was vague at best, but the racism also wasn't subtle.

Without giving away much of the story, I found this story intriguing and was pulled in quickly. Thanks Audible!!

loved it

If you like the novels of Patricia Highsmith, you might like this book. It's got that sinister, ironic, dark thing going and you just know things are going to get out of hand and the ending won't be tidy. The descriptions of Hydra made me want to jump on a plane and go there. I loved it.

Outstanding Narration

Tim Campbell’s narration really carried this story. I love Lawrence Osborne’s books. Coupled with the narration quality this listen was a great pleasure.

Visions of a Greek Island

Enjoyed the story but it was simple and wasn't challenging enough for my tastes when it comes as a mystery.

please offer more of this author's books

I read this because I caught an NPR review of it. It's been a while since I have listened to a book so well written and well-narrated. I thought of Paul Bowles crossed with Patricia Highsmith. The narrator was superb. I would like to hear all of this author read by this narrator.

The only reason I did not give it a 5 is that the story itself was not as powerful as I felt it might be - but getting there was very engaging. To me, an ideal summer read - a compelling story with actual characters. This story is dark - but not near the pitch black of Paul Bowles. I enjoy this author's comfort with portraying the point of view of locals and the visitors/intruders from outside this island, as well as a refugee.

This one captured me.

The plot resolution was too simple

The premise of the book was really great and that got me super excited. The plot built up very nicely and then it suddenly ended. I was expecting a much more complex plot - a bit of a letdown.

Great book, not what you think.

Stick with it. It starts a little slow but then changes. The story is not what it seems at first.

Loved it!

Great characters and I loved the setting. Osborne got right to the point in this one. Plenty of details without the overwrought lull that sometimes happens when authors are too lenghty.

Fascinating, and then some

Osborne has a gift for descriptions of environments and emotions. Very challenging to twist and turn the characters behaviors and the reader's
emotions like a braided river.
Beverlee McFadden