The Animators: A Novel

The Animators chronicles the relationship between two women, Mel and Sharon, who go to a prestigious school for art. Their first collaboration, an animated film titled Nashville Combat, receives instant success. To those on the outside, Mel and Sharon might seem like superbly talented animators, but under the surface, Mel suffers from substance abuse issues and Sharon is left cleaning up her messes. After Sharon suffers a stroke, Mel begins to care for her, and soon Sharon’s own trauma comes to the surface. As Sharon recovers, she starts a new project with Mel, stemming from images sketched in her journal.

The Animators was tough to get into, and some parts were genuinely disturbing. It was a story about relationships and what events in life it takes to break them. Some moments were hazy and alcohol-soaked. Others were depicted in extreme focus. Kayla Rae Whitaker is a talented writer and knows when to speed up these moments and when to slow them down. I caught some strong Sylvia Plath vibes from this book, and it’s a story to read if you don’t mind feeling sad and listless for a few days afterward. Sharon and Mel’s story will stick with you long after it’s over.