Squirrels in the Wall: A Novel in Stories

About the Book

65% of households in the US include a pet.

Short story anthologies enjoyed a boom in sales in 2018, rising by almost 50% in value to reach their highest level in seven years.

Nearly three out of four Americans feel that we should eventually "eliminate all forms of animal cruelty and suffering."

Scientists estimate that 150 to 200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours.

AUDIENCE:

Animal lovers

Wisconsinites

Environmental activists

Devotees of Furry Fiction

Fans of Kafka, Jack London, and Richard Adams

About the Author :
Henry Hitz taught preschool for thirty years. He divides his time between Oakland, California—where he lives with his wife, son, two sisters, two dogs, and a cat—and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he first observed how the boat-tailed grackles and local teenagers all gather at the central jardín at sunset for precisely the same reason. He has published stories in Cube Literary Magazine, Magnolia Review, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Moonfish. His first novel, Tales of Monkeyman, won the Walter Van Tilburg Clark Prize. His novel White Knight was published in January 2016 by Wordrunner Press and reissued last year for the fortieth anniversary of Jonestown. He blogs at HenryHitz.com.

Review :
2021 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Literary Fiction

“My mind is BLOWN. Hitz has exposed and bared his soul, poured his guts out, expounded on every profound question surrounding the mysteries of life, time, space, eternity, death . . . and offered meaningful solutions.”
 —Will Wright, author of The Poetry of Living 

“Squirrels in the Wall is a unique collection of interwoven stories that explore the interactions between humans and animals in a single habitat. The stories range from hilarious to poignant. Henry Hitz’s sensitive portrayal of both humans and animals reminds us of the interconnectivity of nature. The narrative arc of the stories follow a human protagonist and his family, from infancy to old age, from heartbreak to reconciliation. Hitz displays a unique creativity with point of view to compose both a symphony and a cacophony of voices. A rollicking good read.” 

 —Alon Shalev, author of 2013 Eric Hoffer YA Book Award winner At the Walls of Galbrieth

“Henry Hitz laces this riveting, thought-provoking journey, Squirrels in the Wall, with dollops of juicy humor. Dogs, bees, a fox, humans, turtles, and other assorted critters—both dead and alive—all ponder, question, and wonder about that line blurring life and death. ‘Life is death's dream?’ Under the masterful hand of Mr. Hitz, we are in for a thoroughly enjoyable and informative read.” 

 —Francine Thomas Howard, author of two Amazon bestsellers: Page from a Tennessee Journal and The Duke of Union County

“Squirrels in the Wall is a compelling read filled with humor and pathos . . . as morbid as some of the subject matter sounds, Hitz has the skill to tell the stories in a moving but humorous way, so they never seem too heavy.” 

 — Terry Tierney, author of The Poet’s Garage