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They Cage the Animals at Night
They Cage the Animals at Night
Author: Jennings Michael Burch
One rainy day in Brooklyn, Jennings Michael Burch's mother, too sick to care for him, left him at an orphanage, saying only, "I'll be right back." She never returned. Shuttled through a series of bleak foster homes and institutions, he never remained in any of them long enough to make a friend. Instead, Jennings clung to a tattered stuffed anima...  more »
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780451159410
ISBN-10: 0451159411
Publication Date: 10/1/1985
Pages: 304
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 113

4.2 stars, based on 113 ratings
Publisher: Signet
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

redhedM avatar reviewed They Cage the Animals at Night on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 15
I found this very different from "A Child Called It" which included cruel, violent and horrific abuse at the whim of an unstable parent. Jennings' story is more sad than anything. There is some physical abuse though mostly from nuns and caretakers at the children's homes. Jennings' mother loved him and his brothers. His mother tried unsuccessfully to keep her family together but she kept falling apart. Jennings makes and then loses connections with people repeatedly which leaves you feeling disappointed over and over again. The description above indicates that his mother never returns which is not accurate. He leaves and returns to his family several times. Each time his family has disintegrated a bit more. I found this to be a quick read and I enjoyed it.
reviewed They Cage the Animals at Night on + 223 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
This book is a tear jerker. It is the true sory of a little boy at the age of eight who is put into the system. It documents his heartbreak, pain, and finally his triumph. Not to be missed.
2many avatar reviewed They Cage the Animals at Night on
Helpful Score: 5
I read this way back in highschool, and have remembered it all of these 20 years, very touching and a must read!
reviewed They Cage the Animals at Night on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is 99% from the perspective of a single 11-year-old, which doesn't give a good insight into what the world of orphanages was really like. Also, although it says it is "a story of a child who learned to survive" we don't really see any lessons from what the boy went through. The book stops abruptly and left me wanting more information about what happened to him.
heathlover avatar reviewed They Cage the Animals at Night on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book but it made me cry over and over. Well written coming from a childs point of view usually don't like them but Jennings is an amazing writer. I have taken an abused boy six years ago so he would not go into foster care so he could avoid such acts of unkindness.. This story is very graphic to me. I did get lost in how old he was from time to time. What his poor mother seem to go through was amazing to me. Jennings is deffinatly a strong person to have endured what he did. I would read this again. A must read for readers of abuse and or neglect...Enjoy
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birdofpassage avatar reviewed They Cage the Animals at Night on + 2 more book reviews
I have to say I enjoyed the unique way this author has written this book. The author shares his recollection of his childhood and what it was like for him growing up. In his writing, he seems to begin to live it...the memories of his horrific experiences and the mere brief glimpses of happiness. He shares what he did to cope. It felt like I was watching on. I cried. Need I say more? I found this to be a great read for me and I had a difficult time setting it down.


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