A review by trilbynorton
Beasts by John Crowley

challenging dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This is advertised as a dystopian novel about genetically engineered animal/human hybrids, but that's only the initial premise. Instead, the book is a series of vignettes examining our relationship with animals. Not so much in an ethical or moral way (although that is occasionally a concern), but more in the way we anthropomorphise animals, and in the way we zoomorphise ourselves.