The Tiger Rising

The author delves deeply into the psyches of her cast with carefully choreographed scenes, opting for the economy of poetry over elaborate prose. . . . DiCamillo demonstrates her versatility by treating themes similar to those of her first novel with a completely different approach. Readers will eagerly anticipate her next work.

It deals with the tough issues of death, grieving, and the great accompanying sadness, and has enough layers to embrace any reader.
 

. . . the tiger, 'burning bright' with magnificent, feral presence, does make an arresting central image.

The story deftly shows the anxiety and suspense of getting close to someone after experience has taught you that may not be safe to do. DiCamillo's gorgeous language wastes not a single word: spare and taut her sentences spin out, with the Florida mist rising off them, and unspoken words finally said aloud.

The brief novel, which features a well realized setting and an almost palpable aura of sadness, has a certain mythic quality.