Item: The Memory of Animals
Rating: 4.00
Author: quirkycat

by Claire Fuller

'A stunning piece of speculative fiction' The i

'A haunting novel about love, survival and everything in between ... one to get excited about' Stylist, Best Modern Dystopia

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But she isn't here, no one is here. And I have a terror of being alone, in this building, in London, in the world.

Neffy is a young woman running away from grief and guilt, and the one big mistake that has derailed her career. When a debilitating new virus sweeps across the globe, volunteering in a vaccine trial offers her a way to make up for her past. But then, the virus mutates, and the future she had dreamed for herself is gone.

As the London streets outside the medical unit fall silent, and food begins to run out, Neffy must decide where safety lies. Might she find solace by revisiting her own heady memories of the past? Can she trust the strangers trapped inside with her - despite her growing suspicions? Or is her best chance of a future to be found in the terrifyingly unknown world outside?

Haunting and compelling, The Memory of Animals is a novel about freedom and captivity, survival and sacrifice, and what we cling to when everything else has been taken away, from the Costa Award-winning, Women's Prize-shortlisted author of Unsettled Ground.

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'Unsettling, moving and thoughtful, with horror lurking at the edges, this is a subtle, elegant novel. Claire Fuller is a huge talent' Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie Lane

'Compulsive and thoroughly convincing. Terrific!' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures

Book Summary:

A new disease is sweeping across the globe, and scientists are racing to find a vaccine before it's too late. That's where Neffy comes into play – she's one of the brave humans who agreed to have the vaccine tested on her.

Only time will tell if they made the vaccine in time. In the meantime, Neffy will have to deal with the horrifying reality that this disease brings with it. Those who catch it quickly suffer from memory loss and confusion, followed by sensory damage and, eventually, death.

My Review:

Let me start this review by saying that The Memory of Animals is probably not for the faint of heart. This is especially true for those who don't feel up for reading about a pandemic/contagious/deadly illness. Given what we've gone through in recent years, it's a lot.

Likewise, I just want to promise that this book isn't incredibly depressing on the animal front. I'll confess that I had felt some trepidation about diving into The Memory of Animals, as I was worried that there would be a lot of animal fatality. Mercifully, this isn't the case. Most of the animals in this book do so through Neffy's memories.

This is one of those books that makes you think. While the rest of the world is losing their memories (and worse), Neffy is trapped indoors with nothing but time. As such, she delves deeper and deeper into her memories, taking readers along for the ride. The intentional juxtaposition is interesting.

Long story short, I found The Memory of Animals an introspective and thought-provoking novel. It's worth the read if you feel up for tackling the core elements of this book.

Highlights:
Medical Dystopia
Speculative Fiction
Memories and Loss

Trigger Warnings:
Severe/Contagious Illness
Pandemic
Death/Graphic Details

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The Memory of Animals

by Claire Fuller

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on Sep 11, 2023

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