Human, Animal

Since the death of his brother, dairy farmer George Calvert has fought to keep the family business afloat. Worried about the future but resistant to change, he refuses to face the reality of his failing farm, his elderly mother's declining health, and his troubled relationship with his youngest son, Tom.

Newly returned from university, Tom isolates himself in his childhood bedroom, guarding the truth of his burgeoning identity.

When animal rights activists break into the cowshed one morning, Tom appears to side with the protesters. As the Calverts begin to unravel, a decades-old secret surfaces—one that might rip them apart completely, or finally unite them.

A deeply moving debut about one family's struggle to find connection in a rapidly changing world, Human, Animal is an ode to the wild, a journey of self-discovery, and a hopeful path to common ground.

'Beautifully, skilfully told with real tension and gorgeous characters, Human, Animal moved me to tears. Insua writes with so much kindness, empathy, and wisdom...Remarkable.' — Russell T Davies

'Insua probes the spaces between black-and-white thinking with immeasurable sensitivity... Human, Animal explores the anxious convergence of the past, present and future with staggering clarity. A truly impressive debut.' — Joshua Jones, author of Local Fires

'A rich and compelling debut from a writer with a striking talent for weaving together complex narrative strands to create a sophisticated, symphonic whole. Insua is one to watch.' — Barney Norris, author of The Vanishing Hours

'A searingly powerful novel, Human, Animal grapples with questions of identity, change, and family, delivering a nuanced and moving story about the desire for connection and acceptance.' — Lucy Ashe, author of Clara & Olivia

'A beautiful, clever debut...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

'Blisteringly emotional, exploring the complex folds of family bonds. The last page left me haunted. Completely unmissable.' — Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb

'Compelling, conflicting, and heartbreaking, Human, Animal had my heart pounding in my throat until I'd devoured every last page. A bold and unforgettable novel.' — Awais Khan, author of No Honour