Final Discussion: What We Fed to the Manticore
you'll be amazed what you'll find
All the things that you can change
There's a meaning in everything
And you will find all you need
There's so much to understand
Take a look through my eyes (take a look, look through my eyes)
There's a better place somewhere out there
Ooh, just take a look through my eyes (take a look, look through my eyes)
Everything changes, you'll be amazed what you'll find
Look Through My Eyes from Disney’s “Brother Bear” Soundtrack by Phill Collins
Schedule
These are the dates the discussion posts will go up, but remember you can go at your own pace and contribute when you’re ready!
Kick-off: June 2, 2023✓Midway Check In: June 16, 2023✓Final Discussion:June 30, 2023 5PM PST 🐅Didn’t finish? Who cares? Come hang out anyway.
Remember if you can’t make it to the book club meeting you can always use the comment section to leave your thoughts, reviews, and reflections.
Animal Fables in the Times of Climate Change
by Janice Rivera
With collections and anthologies, I rarely, or even ever, have liked every single story, but I liked all of them. The stories were not long but somehow Kolluri managed to touch on diverse environmental issues that are directly harmful to animals like hunting, and indirect, for example the imbalance of the food chain. Like many texts that discuss the environment and the planet we collectively share, the issue is not out of ignorance, but of hubris. From the first story, the author wants you to know that the stakes are high. The donkey sees his environment go from bad to worse; there is even the destruction of the symbolic olive tree displaying despair and unending warfare.
As I navigated through the stories, I saw the greed, corruption, and over consumption in the manticore as it devours endlessly and is never satiated. The story centering on vultures shows us that even death is finite if nothing lives. The topics move on to the intangible: the creation myth of the symbiosis of the arctic fox and the polar bear; the ghostly/dreamlike whale. These stories are rightly heart wrenching and deeply impactful, especially when the author points out humanity’s impact on the natural world with war, colonialism, poaching, entertainment, and even science through the eyes of the very victims we harm: animals.
I found myself reflecting much on the images and conflicts each story uniquely presented. However, despite the heaviness, the story “Let Your Body Meet the Ground,” which is also coincidentally the last story in the collection, Kolluri concludes with hope. Even when the doctor determines the pigeon will never fly again, there is a character who doesn’t lose hope and treats the pigeon with the kind of compassion and kindness the world lacks. The Toy Man is a character who makes toys; children and animals stare at his creations with wonder. The Toy Man does not possess the erudition or expertise the doctor does when also taking care of the bird. However, this character foil is simply meant to present how we do not lack science or knowledge to impact change, but empathy. In addition, the fact that children are curious and observe his gentility perpetuates the fact that just as cruelty is taught, so can respect and compassion for others including the natural world. This ending was what my soul needed and I end my thoughts with finally saying that I’m so glad I read this book, and I would love to read more from Talia Lakshmi Kolluri.
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Janice Rivera (she/her) is a high school English teacher from Puerto Rico who is obsessed with sunflower seeds, gaming, witches, and her two daughters.
Welcome to the Final Discussion 📖 What We Fed to the Manticore
These are simply questions to get you thinking. You’re not required to answer any of them to participate. Remember to keep comments and replies respectful and hate-free!
Final Thoughts
Overall, how strong was the anthology for you?
Did the entries meet your expectations? Did anything surprise you?
What was your favorite story? What about it made it your favorite?
Now that you’re done reading, how did the book make you feel? Is it an optimistic or pessimist outlook? Something in between?
Going Further
Overall, what did you think of the exploration of global conflicts, climate change and human nature from the point of view of animals? Do you think this was a successful way of looking at these issues?
In interviews, Lakshmi shared that these stories were inspired by news articles about animals such as the wolf in . Is there a news story which you would maybe be interested to see turned into a fictional account? Would you write it or would you ask Lakshmi to do it?
Do you have any other media from the point of view of animals that you’d recommend? Share that and any other thoughts in the comments!
Remember we’re taking a break in July but make sure to keep in touch! ❤︎
