Human, Animal by Seth Insua
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.
Beautifully, skilfully told with real tension and gorgeous characters, Human, Animal moved me to tearsSeth Insua writes with so much kindness, empathy and wisdom; everyone is understood and forgiven and revealed. The narrative sneaks up in tiny moments packed with emotion that never become overwrought. Taut, precise, witty, insightful, it barrelled me along. Remarkable, inspirational writing -- Russell T Davies
Human, Animal is a formidable saga of British farming - spinning a moving tale of belonging, family, and land that brings country life into fierce reckoning with the modern world. As vital and sweeping as the countryside it enfolds us in -- Scott Preston, author of The Borrowed Hills
Human, Animal is a masterclass in empathy, perfect for our divided present (and past) times. Astutely emotional and lyrical while never being overwrought, Insua's quietly gorgeous prose delivers huge, profound moments about what it means to belong, care for, inherit and live amongst humans and animals. It is a beautiful addition to the family saga and rural queer canons - and don't we need more of those! I love this book! -- Henry Fry, author of First Time For Everything
A beautiful, clever debut, written with such tenderness for its muddled, struggling cast. Seth Insua balances polarised worlds - the young and old, the urban and rural, the expected and forbidden - to create a novel so full of generosity and insight -- Abigail Dean, author of Girl A and Day One
Seth Insua probes the spaces between black-and-white-thinking with immeasurable sensitivity. Insua holds a mirror up to the 'good' of animal rights campaigning, and the 'evil' of dairy farming, to show that the lines aren't so clear cut, and that life is much messier. Messy, also, is the conflict between traditional values and the advancement of modern technology, of trying to express one's queerness in such a hypermasculine setting. Human, Animal manages to explore all this, and the anxious convergence of the past, present and future, with staggering clarity. A truly impressive debut -- Joshua Jones, author of Local Fires
Human, Animal is a formidable saga of British farming - spinning a moving tale of belonging, family, and land that brings country life into fierce reckoning with the modern world. As vital and sweeping as the countryside it enfolds us in -- Scott Preston, author of The Borrowed Hills
Human, Animal is a masterclass in empathy, perfect for our divided present (and past) times. Astutely emotional and lyrical while never being overwrought, Insua's quietly gorgeous prose delivers huge, profound moments about what it means to belong, care for, inherit and live amongst humans and animals. It is a beautiful addition to the family saga and rural queer canons - and don't we need more of those! I love this book! -- Henry Fry, author of First Time For Everything
A beautiful, clever debut, written with such tenderness for its muddled, struggling cast. Seth Insua balances polarised worlds - the young and old, the urban and rural, the expected and forbidden - to create a novel so full of generosity and insight -- Abigail Dean, author of Girl A and Day One
Seth Insua probes the spaces between black-and-white-thinking with immeasurable sensitivity. Insua holds a mirror up to the 'good' of animal rights campaigning, and the 'evil' of dairy farming, to show that the lines aren't so clear cut, and that life is much messier. Messy, also, is the conflict between traditional values and the advancement of modern technology, of trying to express one's queerness in such a hypermasculine setting. Human, Animal manages to explore all this, and the anxious convergence of the past, present and future, with staggering clarity. A truly impressive debut -- Joshua Jones, author of Local Fires
SETH INSUA is an Anglo-Spanish writer and artist. He was born in Kent in 1989. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a First in English Language and Literature. He has been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and The London Magazine's Short Story Competition and was a semi-finalist in the BlueCat Screenplay Competition. He lives with his husband, David, between Newcastle upon Tyne and Madrid. Human, Animal is his first novel.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780857308894 |
| ISBN 10 | 0857308890 |
| Title | Human, Animal |
| Author | Seth Insua |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Verve Books |
| Year published | 2025-02-20 |
| Number of pages | 320 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |