Zoology by Ben Dolnick

Zoology

Ben Dolnick

Forced to take a year off before returning to college, 18-year-old Henry finds himself living with his older brother in New York and working at Central Park's Children's Zoo.
A touching and gentle story about unrequited love, family dramas and growing up.

Extract
I decided to stay outside. Margaret would come in and I'd be standing there, every possible clumsy conversation already burned off by worry, and I'd talk as easily as I do in dreams, sometimes, never turning quiet, never adjusting my glasses. I'd show her how to feed the animals, flex my forearms while I tore off a garbage bag - I'd make her laugh until her chest hurt.
Parallels
  • The Pagan House by David Flusfeder
  • Leaving Eden by Anne LeClaire