Unsaid: A Novel
"An extraordinary story of animals, mortality, and the power of love. Everyone needs to read this novel!"—Garth Stein, author of the International BestsellerThe Art of Racing in the Rain"UNSAID will really make you think about the relationship between people and animals. I was not able to put it down, and I read parts of it twice."—Temple Grandin, author ofAnimals Make Us HumanRarely has a novel captured so movingly the deep bonds between people and the animals that share their lives. Veterinarian Helena Colden has died of breast cancer, but she still watches over her shattered attorney husband and their menagerie-dogs, cats, horses, and a pig, all with personalities as distinct as their human companions. Helena, who narrates, remains guilt-ridden over the unresolved fate of a research chimp that communicates at the level of a 4-year-old child. How each of these vivid characters finds a way to let go and move on is at the heart of this entrancing tale.—Parade Magazine"touching and emotional"—Publishers WeeklyAbramson delivers a touching and dramatic story that is sure to please animal lovers. Though the heavy emphasis on animal rights becomes repetitive, overall this is a solid story of loss and love.—Library Journal Review"Enjoyed it thoroughly."—Jeffrey Masson, author ofWhen Elephants Weep"...a remarkable book."—Susan Wilson, author ofOne Good DogandThe Fortune Teller's Daughter"A poignant read on the meaning of life and its priorities--how death and despair can lead to renewal and life, but only if one realizes the interconnectedness of all creatures."—Irene M. Pepperberg, author ofAlex and Me"This moving and riveting novel beautifully expresses the transforming power of the human-animal relationship. Read it if you shared your life with an animal, but more importantly, read it if you haven't."—Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, and author of the bestsellerFarm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food"A suspenseful, heart-throbbing novel exploring the big questions of life, death, sentience, animal rights, compassion, righteous indignation, and what it is all about and why. The surprise twists are like an emotional roller coaster. Read it, weep, grab your chair, and gain insights into the big why!"—Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., and author ofKindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way We Live"In this unique and moving novel, Neil Abramson shows just how strong our relationships with other animals can be, and how we can learn so much from our animal kin about their needs, their emotions, and respect, dignity, and love. I was continually moved as I read UNSAID and reflected on its important messages about just how important other animals are to us, and encourage you to read this intriguing book and share it widely."—Marc Bekoff, author ofThe Emotional Lives of Animals, Animals Matter, Wild Justice, and The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint"A remarkable book, uncanny in that its narrator is recently deceased, but vivid in its development of believable and complex characters, both human and nonhuman. The author embeds in the story important aspects of current controversies over the extent of animal capacities as well as a keen sense of the value of animal lives."—Susan J. Armstrong, Professor Emerita, Humboldt State University, and co-editor,The Animal Ethics Reader"Upton Sinclair'sThe Jungle, a novel of animal slaughter and the men who perform it, exerted a powerful influence on a much earlier generation. May I hope that Neil Abramson's novel, UNSAID, will have a similar effect on present day readers and help us understand that animals need us as much as we need them. A riveting tale!"—George K. Russell, Professor of Biology, Adelphi University and Senior Editor,Orionmagazine"UNSAID says it all in a lyrical story about humanity's journey from betrayal to reconciliation with our animal kin. A beautiful, wrenching testimony."—G.A. Bradshaw, director and founder, The Kerulos Center, and author ofElephants on the Edge: What Animals Teach Us About Humanity"Neil Abramson has written a powerful and imaginative novel. His insights into the animal kingdom touched my heart. My book club will love it."—Meredith Brokaw, creator and co-author of thePenny Whistlebook andBig Sky Cooking"A compelling story of love, death, and ethics told with skill and sensitivity."—Carla Davis, Editor,Best Friendsmagazine"If you love legal dramas...or dogs...or terrific writing...or originality...or people...or discovering wonderful new writers, then Neil Abramson's UNSAID is a book you simply must read."—David Rosenfelt, author ofDog TagsUNSAID is a poignant, heart-felt story of love, loss and forgiveness.... UNSAID will make you cry, but, more important, it will make you contemplate the human relationship to animals, both domestic and wild.  A wonderful book for animal lovers, those who like a good courtroom drama, and anyone interested in human/animal communication.—Ellen Burns, Books on the CommonThis is a story about love, healing, and, even more compellingly, animal rights. The work that Helena and Jaycee did with Charlie and Cindy (both chimpanzees) make for utterly compelling stories that drive this story and weave all of these characters together in an unexpected way.—FreshFiction.com"UNSAIDcarries the reader through a maze of knowing and denial interwoven into the master narrative of science...an unrelenting story of the times-a pivotal moment of recognition and atonement...."—Psychology Today