Human, Animal
Seth Insua
Book review by Eric Page
Seth Insua’s luminous debut novel is a tender, nuanced celebration of personal truth and familial resilience. Set against the backdrop of a struggling English dairy farm, this extraordinary narrative weaves a complex tapestry of love, identity, and the courageous journey of becoming oneself.
At the heart of the story is Tom, a queer young man navigating the delicate terrain of self-discovery, returning from university to a family landscape both familiar and fraught with unspoken tensions. His emerging identity becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation, challenging generations of inherited assumptions and inviting a radical reimagining of connection.
George Calvert, Tom’s father, represents a traditional masculinity grappling with change—not as a villain, but as a nuanced human being wrestling with the erosion of familiar structures. The novel beautifully illuminates how vulnerability can be a pathway to understanding, showing how seemingly insurmountable differences can become bridges of empathy.
The arrival of animal rights activists, armed with cameras and outrage, introduces another layer of complexity, metaphorically echoing the novel’s broader themes of challenging systemic narratives and recognizing the inherent dignity of all beings. This narrative element becomes a profound meditation on compassion, inviting readers to consider how we extend empathy across difference—whether between humans, between humans and animals, or between generations.
A revelatory subplot involving a German prisoner of war’s journal adds historical depth, suggesting that stories of connection and humanity transcend temporal and cultural boundaries. Insua masterfully demonstrates how hidden histories can reshape our understanding of the present, revealing the intricate ways personal and collective narratives intertwine.
Not just a novel about conflict, but a luminous exploration of how we might create meaningful dialogue in a world often divided by ideology. Insua’s prose is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally generous, offering a nuanced vision of how radical acceptance can emerge from seemingly irreconcilable perspectives.
For LGBTQ+ readers, “Human, Animal” is a particularly resonant text—a celebration of the courage required to live authentically, to challenge inherited narratives, and to create spaces of mutual understanding. It’s a powerful reminder that identity is not static, but a continual, courageous process of becoming.
With remarkable sensitivity, Insua captures the exquisite complexity of human connection: how we hurt, heal, and ultimately transform together. This is a novel that doesn’t just tell a story—it expands our collective imagination of what’s possible when we approach each other with genuine curiosity and compassion.
A stunning debut that will resonate with anyone who has ever navigated the challenging, beautiful terrain of becoming fully, unapologetically themselves.
Out now £10.99
For more info or to order a copy see the publisher’s website here
You must be logged in to post a comment.