Wild Pets

Wild Pets is a novel that follows the lives of four young friends in the years after university, exploring themes of mental health, friendship, sex, and creative ambition. It is described as smart, funny, and emotionally complex, with a bold, honest tone. The characters struggle with adulthood and the lingering power of first loves while confronting political and social turmoil.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Wild Pets is an instant classic of millennial fiction, a wickedly funny and emotionally complex novel that has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Jenny Offill, the author of Weather and Dept. of Speculation, has crafted an impressive, cumulatively powerful first outing that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The Daily Mail praises Wild Pets as a "ripe and excellent debut," describing it as "funny, smart, and human, and true." Andrew O Hagan, the author of Mayflies, also hails it as a "bold, honest novel" that explores the fragility of mental health, power imbalances in friendship, and creative ambition fused with destruction.

The story follows Iris, Ezra, and Nance in the years after university, as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. They fall in and out of bed with each other, reread The Art of War, grieve the closing of Fabric, and write book proposals on the history of salt. Their nights are filled with drink and drugs, as they struggle to confront adulthood with high wit and low behavior against the contemporary political and social turmoil. Despite having everything going for them, these young men and women are still swimming desperately against the tide.

At its core, Wild Pets is a bold exploration of the human condition. It delves into the complexities of mental health, examining the ways in which individuals struggle to cope with the pressures of modern life. The novel also sheds light on power imbalances in friendship and sex, highlighting the ways in which these relationships can be both destructive and empowering. Creative ambition is another theme that is explored in depth, as the characters pursue their dreams and strive to make a mark on the world. However, this ambition is often fused with destruction, as the characters struggle to balance their personal lives with their professional aspirations.

One of the most powerful aspects of Wild Pets is its portrayal of first loves. The characters are haunted by their past relationships, and their memories of these loves continue to shape their actions and decisions. The lingering power of first loves is a theme that resonates with readers of all ages, as it reminds us of the profound impact that our past experiences can have on our present and future.

In conclusion, Wild Pets is an instant classic of millennial fiction that is both funny and smart and human and true. Jenny Offill's bold, honest novel explores the fragility of mental health, power imbalances in friendship and sex, and creative ambition fused with destruction. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story is filled with moments of humor and heartache. Wild Pets is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary literature and is interested in exploring the complexities of the human condition.

Weight: 343g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571358717
Edition number: Main