Filthy Animals

More about the book

Brandon Taylor is hailed as "a powerhouse" and "a brilliant writer," delivering a striking new work of fiction that explores desire and violence among young adults. In a series of linked stories set in the American Midwest, a young man navigates emotionally charged encounters with two dancers in an open relationship, balancing his vulnerabilities against his loneliness. Other narratives delve into a young woman's struggle with illness, the explosive violence among teenagers on a winter night, a little girl's chaotic energy testing her babysitter's limits, and couples grappling with the complexities of connection, comfort, and cruelty. Recognized as one of the breakout literary stars of 2020, Taylor has been praised for his unforgettable storytelling. With this collection, he expands on the promise of his previous work, offering a precise and unsentimental examination of the tensions between friends, family, and lovers. Psychologically taut and quietly devastating, the stories present a tender portrait of longing for intimacy, the presence of pain, and the desire for love in a world that often seems to withhold it.