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Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan By Matt Halteman

PUBLISHER: Basic Books

 REVIEW: SARX.org

 

REVIEW

It’s rare to encounter a book on veganism that doesn’t feel like a rallying cry for restraint or an exercise in moral chastisement. Yet, in Hungry Beautiful Animals, philosopher Matthew C. Halteman presents an entirely different narrative. This book is an invitation—a love letter to life in all its forms—that reframes veganism not as a sacrifice, but as a path to abundance, joy, and flourishing.

Hungry Beautiful Animals positions itself as a ground-breaking contribution to the vegan movement, challenging both vegans and non-vegans alike to rethink how we approach this lifestyle. Halteman’s premise is simple yet radical: veganism should not be defined by what we give up, but by what we stand to gain. For too long, the vegan message has centred on suffering, shame, and scarcity. Halteman flips the script, focusing instead on the beauty and joy that a plant-based life offers—for humans, animals, and the planet.

The Vegan Imagination

At the heart of Halteman’s work is a powerful reimagining of veganism as a practice rooted in creativity, compassion, and community. Drawing on over two decades of teaching, writing, and personal experience, he offers readers a vision of “going vegan” that is not rigid or perfectionistic, but flexible and evolving.

One of the book’s central ideas is that many of us are already aligned with vegan values, even if we haven’t fully embraced the lifestyle. Halteman refers to these individuals as “vegans-in-waiting”—people who, at some level, understand the ethical, environmental, or health benefits of going vegan but have yet to integrate this practice into their daily lives. He acknowledges the barriers that often hold us back—cultural, emotional, and practical—and offers ways to navigate them with grace and patience.

The book takes us through the profound ways in which animal products are interwoven into our identities, from the roast dinners that evoke family memories to the leather jackets that signal status and style. Halteman doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the difficulty of breaking these attachments. But instead of guilt or judgement, he offers a compassionate invitation to consider how we might begin, step by step, to create lives of greater joy and alignment with our deepest values.

A Cosmic Calling

Chapter 4, one of the book’s standout sections, introduces the concept of going vegan as a “cosmic calling.” Halteman invites readers to see veganism as not just a personal or political choice, but a spiritual one—a path that honours the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. He argues that by choosing a plant-based diet, we participate in a broader movement towards justice, sustainability, and flourishing for all living beings. It’s a compelling reframing of veganism, one that resonates particularly with readers who view their ethical decisions through a lens of faith or spirituality.

What makes this vision especially impactful is Halteman’s own Christian faith, which, while not explicitly referenced throughout the book, shines clearly through his reflections on truth, goodness, and beauty. As a Christian, Halteman sees going vegan as an expression of care for God’s creation—a way of living that aligns with the divine mandate to steward and nurture the Earth. This message resonates strongly in Chapter 9, where Halteman discusses the transformational power of love, reminding us of our capacity to create change through compassion rather than condemnation.

The Challenge of Change

Of course, Halteman is under no illusion that the transition to veganism is easy. In fact, he opens the book with a frank discussion of the many challenges we face in making such a shift. Industrial animal agriculture is a behemoth, entangled in every facet of modern life, from our food systems to our economies. To change our habits feels daunting, especially when we are bombarded with images of juicy steaks and comforting chicken soups, all tied to notions of tradition, family, and celebration.

But this is precisely where Hungry Beautiful Animals stands out from other works on veganism. Halteman does not dwell on shame or blame. He recognises that change is difficult, but he also believes it is possible—and more than that, he believes it can be joyful. The book offers practical, compassionate advice for those who are curious about veganism but feel overwhelmed by the prospect of going all-in. Instead of demanding perfection, Halteman encourages progress—small, meaningful steps towards a lifestyle that prioritises flourishing over strict adherence to rules.

One of the most liberating aspects of the book is its rejection of a one-size-fits-all approach to veganism. Halteman acknowledges that we all have different circumstances, and that the path to veganism will look different for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out by trying a new recipe once a week, or you’ve been on the journey for years, Hungry Beautiful Animals reminds us that every step we take towards reducing harm and increasing joy is a step worth celebrating.

A Vision of Abundance

Perhaps the most striking feature of Halteman’s book is his ability to make veganism feel not just like a moral imperative, but like an exciting opportunity for growth and connection. The title itself—Hungry Beautiful Animals—is a reflection on our shared condition as creatures of hunger and beauty. We hunger not just for food, but for meaning, connection, and transcendence. Veganism, Halteman suggests, offers a way to satisfy these deeper desires by living in harmony with the world around us, rather than in opposition to it.

This is a book that feels less like a lecture and more like an invitation to a feast—a feast where everyone is welcome, where the food is delicious, and where the conversation leaves you feeling inspired and hopeful.

In the words of David Clough, Chair in Theology and Applied Sciences at the University of Aberdeen:

“This book is remarkable. Halteman invites his readers into an engaging journey of reflection that will leave few unchanged. He sets aside the all-too-common dour and dutiful discussions of this territory in favour of a gentle and winsome invitation to see and feel the attraction of eating differently.”

A Path to Flourishing

Hungry Beautiful Animals is a timely and much-needed book that speaks to our deepest hopes and hungers. It reminds us that veganism is not a path of deprivation, but one of abundance. Through stories, humour, and deep philosophical insights, Halteman challenges us to imagine a better world—a world where our choices reflect our highest values, where we can enjoy life to its fullest, and where
all creatures can flourish together.

About the Author

Matt Halteman is a professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He specialises in twentieth-century European philosophy and applied ethics, with a focus on animal and food ethics.

Matt is also the author of Compassionate Eating as Care of Creation. He also co-edited Philosophy Comes to Dinner: Arguments about the Ethics of Eating and has published numerous academic articles and book chapters.

He founded the Animals and the Kingdom of God Lecture Series and co-founded the Wake Up Weekend festival to promote animal and food ethics education. Matt serves on the board of directors for The Better Food Foundation and CreatureKind, advises Sarx and Protocol, and is part of the Philosophy as a Way of Life Network.

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