Wild Things

Dear Ms. Clay Carmichael: if you're reading this, please consider writing another children's novel, preferably with some of these same characters. Of course, I understand that Wild Things took you five years to complete, and that any hypothetical sequel (or other work - I would accept an unrelated story as well) might conceivably take just as long, but I know it will be worth the wait! Thank you.

I cannot recall the last time I encountered a character with as distinctive and winsome a voice as Zoë Royster, the eleven-year-old heroine of Clay Carmichael's middle-grade children's novel, Wild Things. Just as memorable is Mr. C'mere, the feral cat whose own narration is intermingled with Zoë's, and whose observations of human behavior left show more me shaken - with laughter, with anger, and with sorrow. The following two opening lines, from these two distrustful souls, each of whom has learned to keep the world at a distance:

"Humans were diggers and buriers, the cat thought, like dogs."

"I'd hoped for better, Henry's being a heart doctor. A job like that, you'd think he might actually have a heart."

both grabbed hold of me, dragging me wily-nily into the story, instantly involving me in each narrator's life. I hadn't read more than a few pages, when I knew that here were characters I cared about. By the end of the first chapter, I knew I loved them, and was feverishly racing ahead, hoping for that moment when each - wild things in their different ways - allowed themselves to be, not domesticated, but befriended.

This is the story of a precocious young girl who is sent to live with the half-uncle she never knew - an irritable former heart surgeon, and current world-renowned metal sculptor - after the death of her neglectful and mentally ill mother. Having learned by hard experience that adults "don't stick," Zoë is on the look-out for signs that Henry is looking for the exit signs. What she discovers instead, is a kindred spirit - a man who loves books as much as she does, who is as prickly as she is, and who understands her need for time and space of her own. A person who encourages her to be who she is, but also provides companionship, some (minimal) structure, and the protection she needs from some of the dangers of the adult world. In short: she discovers the parent she never knew she wanted.

But as much as Wild Things is Zoë's story, it is also the story of Mr. C'mere, an aging cat who has turned his back on human love, after witnessing one too many acts of violence and neglect. A cat who observes the humans around him, with a mixture of puzzlement and perceptive understanding that is by turns amusing and heartbreaking. In short, a cat who is Zoë's feline doppelganger. There are many "wild things" in this story, as it happens, from Zoë and Mr. C'mere, to Henry's sculptures and Henry himself, not to mention Sister and Wil, whose identity - once it was revealed - felt so right to me, that I didn't even mind that I had guessed it, some time before.

There are moments of absolute, fall-down-laughing hilarity here - as in the episode in which Mr. C'mere, convinced that the hosing off of the plastic flowers at the graveyard, after he urinates on them, indicates an effort to mark territory, proceeds to urinate on them all the more - and there are moments of stomach-clenching tragedy, from the death of loved ones, to the death of not-so-loved ones. Carmichael's prose is beautifully expressive, whether in girl or feline form, and she has the occasional turn of phrase - Mr. C'mere's description of the newborn orphan Wil, howling in his father's arms, as an "inconsolable noise," Zoë's observation, watching Henry and Fred at a funeral, that "though I didn't hear them exchange twenty words, I understood whole conversations taking place in the silence between them" - that stayed in mind long after I had finished reading.

With a feisty heroine who isn't afraid to say what's on her mind, regardless of the audience - "I focused all my energies on giving the Padre's Lord God Almighty, reportedly in Heaven, a piece of my agitated mind" - a cast of fascinating secondary characters, a feline that would win any reasonable person's heart, and many affectionate references to works of children's literature (particularly The Boy Who Drew Cats), Wild Things is a superb story! I am so very grateful to the Children's Fiction Club to which I belong, for making this our December selection, as I might not otherwise have picked it up! Truly, this is a little masterpiece! I'm waiting on Carmichael's next effort with barely restrained impatience... show less

"Wild Things" by Clay Cameron is a delightful read that strikes a perfect balance between warmth and wit. Cameron explores themes like found family, love, loss, and redemption, all without slipping into sentimentality. Her characters, both young and old, are refreshingly human—flawed, yet deeply caring. The relationships in the novel feel genuine, as the characters learn to accept and support each other in their own beautifully imperfect ways.

Cameron’s writing is direct yet vivid, bringing the story to life without unnecessary embellishments. Her ability to steer clear of the typical pitfalls of one-dimensional characters is commendable, creating a world where "good" and "bad" are more than just black-and-white labels. Instead, her show more characters are complex, nuanced, and wholly relatable.

I found myself wishing I could spend an evening with Zoe and her uncle, discussing art, cats, and the many layers of life that Cameron so masterfully weaves into this novel. "Wild Things" is a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page, not because of grand gestures or melodrama, but because of its honest, heartfelt storytelling. show less

OK, I admit it! I LOVE juvenile and YA literature. As a librarian I have always adopted the "every-other" rule: for every grown-up book I read I have to also read a kids' book. Technically, Wild Things, the debut novel by Clay Carmichael, is going to get shelved in the children or teen section of the library, but I dare any gown-up out there to read this and not be moved. It is the captivating, well-written story of Zoe, a tough-minded orphan who has been jaded by a rough upbringing, but finds hope, adventure, a cat in need AND a true home when she moves in with her Uncle Henry, a doctor-turned-sculptor. Pick this story up and you won't want to put it down -- a great story to read for the holidays!

Review written by Anne Strang, 11/11/2009

Carmichael takes a well-trodden path here in this YA tale of a precocious 11-year-old girl sent to live with a previously unknown crotchety old uncle after her remaining parent dies, but manages to find some interesting vistas along the way.

Told from two viewpoints -- that of Zoë, the emotionally battered and already world-weary orphan, and that of a feral cat with his own strong opinions -- the story has few surprises as the strong-willed, wary child and the stubborn solitary uncle bang heads and hearts on their way first to an armed truce and ultimately to a family that includes blood and spiritual ties to a community of the heart.

But Zoë and the cat (who does ultimately acquire a name) are not the only wild things in the book. show more There is also a feral boy and the albino deer whose eldritch bond skirts around the edges of Zoë's world, fitting into a pattern only one of them will ever recognize.

The ending, while not quite as pat as feared, is satisfying, with the exception of one character whose switch from tormentor to hero feels forced. And though listed as YA, it's a pleasant enough read for an adult. show less

I must say that Wild Things by Clay Carmichael was an unexpected reading pleasure. It is the story of Zoe who is forced to move to Sugar Hill, North Carolina to live with an uncle she has never met, Uncle Henry, after her mother dies. Zoe has been pretty much on her own from a young age as her mother ran through a bunch of boyfriends, hospital stays and the ups and downs of drugs. She is self sufficient and does not need an adult, who she undoubtedly cannot trust, to oversee her life.

Zoe has an animal sense about her and senses that a cat is living around Uncle Henry’s house…a cat that nobody noticed before. She bets Uncle Henry $50 that the cat exists…and wins the bet. She spends some time trying to entice the cat (aptly named show more C’mere) to trust her. Uncle Henry is a cardiologist turned sculptor and spends much of his time in his studio adjoining the house. This leaves plenty of time for Zoe to explore. As she wanders the woods near Uncle Henry’s house, she spies a white doe and tries following it, to avail. It is too fast for her. She stumbles on an old cabin, which she tries to clean up and make her own.

The start of school is no joyous event. Although she wasn’t formally schooled, Zoe is a great reader, from which she has absorbed a great deal of knowledge. So school itself and mingling with children her own age, which she had not done, is stressful and at times boring. Especially when Hargrove Peters keeps staring at her in class.

Wild Things is a coming of age story about Zoe (and C’mere) learning to trust and coming to love the adults around her. It is beautifully written. It is populated by wonderful characters including Uncle Henry, both rough and tender, his assistant Fred and Fred’s wife Bessie, sources of company, wisdom and love, and Maud who turns out to be Zoe’s grandmother and an avid friend of animals. What caught me at the start was the first chapter was told by C’mere who reminisces about the various previous occupants of the house. Interspersed with Zoe’s story are C’mere’s musing, thoughts and feelings. Wild Things has everything a good book needs…action, great characters, happiness, sadness and wonderful writing. Treat yourself to Wild Things by Clay Carmichael. show less

Extraordinary. I had to let it simmer overnight before I could come up with anything resembling a coherent review. This is a wonderful book, and I loved it enough that I wish I hadn't read it so I could read it again for the first time.

The characters are agreeably prickly, including the feral old cat who is deeply suspicious of people. The passages narrated by the cat are maybe just a little hokey, but I loved 'em anyway. In my opinion, the descriptions of what it's like to be an artist are dead on. The plot is taut, the coincidences and climaxes not so far out as to be surreal, the characters' growth is believable and heartwarming. And did I mention the cat? And the passing but suitably loving mention of favorite characters from show more classic kid-lit? (Which reminds me, I need to find out who Opal Buloni is- she's the only one I didn't recognize.)

I want to read it again, right away. I can't remember how long it's been since I had that reaction to a middle-grade book. show less

Zoe is just 11 years old, but she's had to take care of herself most of her life because her father is dead and her mother is mentally ill. When her mother commits suicide, Zoe is sent to live with her artist/doctor Uncle Henry. There she becomes involved with lots of fellow wild things: an old tomcat (who is also like a co-narrator; there are several chapters told from his perspective), a mysterious figure from the woods, a white deer, a couple of feisty old ladies, and Henry himself.

There are lots of stories about willful, intelligent kids who, through the course of a book's events, learn to love and let themselves be loved. Wild Things is a nice contribution to this genre. I liked it a lot, though it was a little clunky in places show more and didn't completely satisfy me. My frustration was that parts of the book were truly witty and inspired, which only highlighted the lameness of its weaker aspects (mostly I think the author had too many balls in the air, too many of mom's boyfriends, too many plot lines to wrap up, too many unlikely coincidences).

Still, overall, really enjoyable book, great characters, both funny and poignant. show less