This exquisitely crafted work of literary fiction spans generations as it relates the stories of four disparate Americans in search of meaning, justice, and identity. Orlando Manifold is a loner who lost his family in a quirky car accident. Tobias Summersgrill is a misunderstood black artist in white America. Irene McShooley is an adopted Vietnamese boat person seeking a sense of belonging. Joe Loud is an alcoholic veteran trying to cover up a heinous crime. New York City, both before and after September 11, is a character unto itself. Dead Animal People is an underground masterpiece of modern American literature from a young woman with a unique gift for plot and poignancy.