Human, Animal is an ode to the wild, an elegy for what we have lost and a reproof of our society’s inability to find common ground. Since the death of his brother, veteran dairy farmer George has been struggling to keep the family business afloat. His troubles only worsen when animal rights activists descend on his cowshed one morning to film content for their social media. The fallout is unprecedented, especially as George’s youngest child appears to side with the activists. As the family navigate the real-world consequences of going viral, George’s elderly mother sleepwalks back to her youth, and a secret she has carried with her for decades – one that could change everything for them all. A revealing debut novel about the importance of connection in a divided world, exploring themes of family, identity, the enduring effects of conflict and the friction between tradition and progress – from land use and animal rights, to gender, sexuality and relationships. Human, Animal is perfect for fans of Pity by Andrew McMillan, Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart, A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson and The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Rijneveld.
