I’m not a huge fan of books, and particularly films, which feature animals that can speak. I tend to find it a bit cringeworthy. However, I do think that a loyal animal can be a worthy addition to the plot of a book and enrich characters’ interactions. In no particular order, the following are my favourite animals featured in books I’ve read so far.
Ghost – A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
Ghost is one of the direwolves discovered by the Stark children after his mother is killed by a stag. He is an albino, having white fur and red eyes. Although he was the smallest of the pack, Jon Snow’s direwolf grows up to be the larger.
Mr Bones – Timbuktu by Paul Auster
Mr Bones is a dog with a homeless owner who is dying. He is dealing with the fact that he is about to lose his master. Despite having an internal monologue in English, he is not anthropomorphised.
Fang – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Fang is Hagrid’s giant boarhound. In spite of being very protective of his owner, he can also be a coward in some occasions. He recognises Hagrid’s friends and usually greets Harry, Hermione and Ron by licking them.
Do you have any favourite animals in books? Tell me in the comments!
I tend to avoid books with animals in them for fear a writer kills them off as a (sometimes) easy way of evoking emotion. Ten years on, I still haven’t got over the death of Hedwig.
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I’m fine with authors killing of animals as long as it makes sense in the context of the story and it serves a purpose. But sometimes it’s just an easy way to get some emotion in the story as you said.
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