Fionnáin reviewed Animals in That Country by Laura Jean Mckay
What if birds are screaming?
4 stars
This is an odd book, classified by many as science fiction, but maybe more aligned with posthuman philosophy. The basic gist is that there is an epidemic across Australia, and people can hear the animals speak. They don't speak literally, but more through the parts of their bodies that communicate differing desires. This idea is very well considered, although at times the animal thoughts seem a little too human-oriented. Despite this, there is a wonderful disconnect between the hopes of one young protagonist (who wants to hear the animals tell her how much they love her) and the reality (terror of the human, for example).
The book is full of moments, one with a crocodile, another with some fleas, that are memorable. It speaks to our disconnection from a nonhuman world in a very unique way, leading through a protagonist who is coping with her alcoholism and how it contrasts …
This is an odd book, classified by many as science fiction, but maybe more aligned with posthuman philosophy. The basic gist is that there is an epidemic across Australia, and people can hear the animals speak. They don't speak literally, but more through the parts of their bodies that communicate differing desires. This idea is very well considered, although at times the animal thoughts seem a little too human-oriented. Despite this, there is a wonderful disconnect between the hopes of one young protagonist (who wants to hear the animals tell her how much they love her) and the reality (terror of the human, for example).
The book is full of moments, one with a crocodile, another with some fleas, that are memorable. It speaks to our disconnection from a nonhuman world in a very unique way, leading through a protagonist who is coping with her alcoholism and how it contrasts with her love of animals. Although imperfect and a little long, the book does hold together and finishes on an amazing, heartbreaking, and poignant note.
