Read-a-likes List
Fauna by Alissa York
Ape House by Sara Gruen
Ape House follows the Bonobo apes of the Great Ape Language Lab and Isabel, a scientist, through a dramatic
caper in which Isabel must defend the apes she loves from the man she thought she loved and a slimy
Hollywood producer. Ape House delivers a mix of plot lines similar to Fauna; from the inherent nature vs. man
conflict to the strength of the female protagonist, to the role of technology and social media. More
commercial in tone, outrageous in setting, the short chapters make this a quick, easy, and provocative read.
Amphibian by Carla Gunn
A story which explores our relationship with the environment. Told from the perspective of 9 year old Phin
who is shocked and alarmed at the state of endangered species. He is sorely frustrated by adults' lack of
urgency about this state of affairs. At times funny and heartbreaking, this debut novel is treasure trove of rich
characters and Phin’s precocious observations.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
While the setting is remote and rural, Edgar’s story shares the underlying question of trust: learning to trust (as
in the case of the relationship between Edgar and his dogs) and - in this retelling of Hamlet - who to trust and
when to trust your own judgment. Those who enjoyed the quick pacing of Fauna may also enjoy this dramatic
and richly detailed novel.
Shore Girl by Fran Kimmell
Shore Girl features an eclectic collection of characters trying to overcome their dysfunctional and traumatic
pasts as they bounce around rural Alberta. The story is imbued with a sense of hope and optimism that belies
the characters reality. Similar to Fauna, Shore Girl is told from multiple and alternating points of view.
Homing by Stephanie Domet
On the surface it may seem like there is little to connect a Halifax set novel about a young women mourning
the death of her brother, and a Toronto set story about the impact of humans on their natural environment,
but both Homing and Fauna are stories of people who are haunted by memories, and both feature an
ensemble cast of thoughtful young people making their way in the city. If you enjoyed the introspective human
elements of Fauna, you may also enjoy Homing.
Greener than Eden by Michael Kohn
Set in the wilderness of British Columbia, a rag tag group of tree planters must find a way to survive the
challenges of nature, human competition and attraction. Toronto resident Noah finds himself in tough as a
rookie tree planter, as he must sort out all the dangers of this new world, all the while trying to figure out his
past and future.
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Read-a-likes List
Fauna by Alissa York
The Ellis Portal Mystery Series by Rosemary Aubert
A critically acclaimed mystery series primarily set in Toronto’s Don Valley, featuring a homeless and disgraced
ex-judge as the main protagonist.
Cujo by Stephen King
A riveting tale of suspense by the master of the horror genre. A brilliant exploration of thoughts and emotions
inside the mind of St. Bernard, albeit one suffering from rabies.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Mentioned in Fauna, this 1972 classic adventure tale excels at insights into the lives and minds of rabbits.
Combined with endearing characters and exciting adventures, this is a book that continues to resonate with
readers of all ages.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
A truly classic collection of animal stories/fables by Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1894 This
book is mentioned throughout Fauna.
~~Non-fiction
Wild Animals I Have Known by Ernest Seton
Mentioned in Fauna, this 1898 book features short stories about lives and thoughts of wild animals. Two of the
stories are set in the Don Valley: Redruff, the Story of the Don Valley Partridge; and Silverspot, the Story of a
Crow.
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
In Fauna many of the characters are devoted to helping animals that have been harmed by human beings. In
The World Without Us Alan Wiseman examines how the natural world would recover from the impact of
human beings if we were to suddenly disappear. Wiseman flips back and forth between scientific speculation,
billions more birds would flourish when we stop breeding and caring for their biggest threat the domestic cat,
to showcasing the examples of places humans have already left behind, such as Chernobyl. Weisman presents
a compelling look at how human beings have impacted the world. It leaves readers with a humbling sense of
self by exploring how life will march on once we are gone.
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Read-a-likes List
Fauna by Alissa York
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat
This 1963 book has been widely credited with changing the public perception of wolves to a more positive one.
As a young biologist Mowat was sent to the high Arctic to investigate the cause of declining caribou
populations, which were widely believed to be caused by wolves. He discovers that the arctic wolves are not to
blame for the decline; in fact it is human hunters who are the root cause. Mowat tells his story with
characteristic wit and wry humour. There are obvious parallels that can be drawn between Mowat’s story and
Fauna including our misconceptions of the nature of wild animals and the protector- attitude that human
beings can take on when they develop relationships with animals.
Hope for Wildlife: True stories of Animal Rescue by Ray Macleod
The Hope for Wildlife Society runs a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Seaforth, N.S. The centre was founded in
1997 and since then, through the tireless effort of its staff and volunteers, has helped to rehabilitate much
native Nova Scotian wildlife. This book brings together a collection of stories about some of the animals that
have visited the centre and the people who give their time and energy to protect the wildlife of this province.
More information about the centre is available online: http://www.hopeforwildlife.net/.
Collossus of New York by Colson Whitehead
Although Fauna is a novel largely concerned with human interests and with nature, it is also a novel of the city,
and may lead readers to feel that they have seen a city that they didn’t previously know. If you enjoyed this
aspect of Fauna, Colson Whitehead’s meditation on the city of New York may also appeal to you. Under
chapter headings such as Morning, Broadway and Central Park, Whitehead presents a series of vignettes that
will change the way you see the city. Like York, Whitehead uses short, direct sentences, that are on the one
hand very simple and on the other very vivid and descriptive, to bring a city to life
Nature Wars: The incredible story of how wildlife comebacks turned backyards into battlegrounds by Jim
Sterba
Human beings and wild animals have always shared the same space. As cities expand into natural habitats
conflict often arises between the animals that inhabit the area and the human beings who are moving in.
Urban sprawl has offered some animals amenities that they would never have found in the wild including
plenty of food, water supplies, hiding places and protection from other human hunters. The result, however, is
often different forms of conflict between humans and animals. Like Fauna, Nature Wars explores the
relationship between human beings and our animal neighbours in the urban setting.
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