Human, Animal
By Seth Insua
Verve Books
ISBN: 978-0857308894
320pp.

Seth Insua, an Anglo-Spanish writer and artist, was born in Kent in 1989. He studied English language and literature at the University of Oxford and has been shortlisted for prestigious literary competitions, such as the Bridport Prize and The London Magazine’s Short Story Competition. With his debut novel, Human, Animal, Insua offers a much-needed voice in the literary fiction fraternity.

Insua’s novel deals with elements of historical fiction and contemporary drama. It explores themes of identity, family conflict and activism through dual timelines. The book is structured across two time periods — the 1940s and 2016 — unfolding through the perspectives of multiple characters. The novel is primarily written in the first person, offering deeply personal insights into each narrator’s emotions, conflicts and motivations.

The novel centres on the Calvert family which runs Alderdown Farm, a struggling dairy farm, and their internal conflicts over tradition, identity and activism. The story tells us about the family’s generational struggles — Stefan’s experiences as a prisoner of war in the 1940s and his grandson Tam’s present-day challenges with identity, family acceptance and the ethics of animal farming.

As Tam navigates their gender identity and aligns with an animal rights activist group, they clash with their father, George, who remains steadfast in his traditional values. The novel examines themes of family loyalty, generational trauma, how history shapes personal identity and the difficulty of reconciling past and present.

A debut novel set in rural England explores the deep fractures caused by rigid traditions, identity struggles and ideological divides within families and societies

Tam is the novel’s contemporary protagonist, struggling with their gender identity and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the family farm. They are portrayed with raw emotional depth, torn between their activism and familial ties. Insua gives Tam an internal monologue filled with self-doubt and self-discovery, anger and alienation, and a yearning for acceptance.

George, Tam’s father, is a traditionalist who sees the farm as his life’s work. His portrayal oscillates between a hardened patriarch and a grieving son still affected by past loss. Insua presents him as both flawed and deeply human, making his rigidity feel less like stubbornness and more like a desperate attempt to hold on to what he knows. He is written with a mix of frustration, grief and stubborn love, shaped by a lifetime of sacrifice. Although not a villain, George comes across more as a man grappling with the shifting world around him, making his clashes with Tam all the more heartbreaking.

Then there is Stefan. The 1940s narrative follows Stefan, a German prisoner of war who ends up working at Alderdown Farm. His chapters explore survival and displacement, and the contrast between belonging and alienation, mirroring Tam’s struggles in the present day. Insua crafts him as an outsider whose past echoes into the present, shaping the generational conflicts at the farm.

A highlight moment in the novel is the activists’ video going viral, an event that forces the Calverts into the public eye, escalating tensions between Tam and George. It is a turning point, where Tam must decide whether to stand by their activism or consider the personal cost of their actions on their family.

What really allowed one to pause the book and contemplate before continuing was when Tam came out to their family. This moment is charged with emotion, as Tam reveals their true identity, confronting both rejection and misunderstanding. It is a defining instance of the generational and ideological rift that lies at the heart of the novel.

Insua’s writing is seamless, simple and solid. It captures both tenderness and brutality with unflinching honesty. However, the novel occasionally lingers too long in introspection, slowing the pacing in certain sections. While the multi-perspective approach enriches the narrative, some character arcs could have been explored further, particularly Stefan’s, whose storyline at times feels secondary to the contemporary conflict.

While the setting is rooted in rural England, Human, Animal will resonate with South Asian readers through its themes of generational conflict, the weight of tradition, and the struggle for personal autonomy. Much like debates surrounding agriculture, identity and activism in South Asia, the novel highlights the tension between economic survival and ethical transformation. It also speaks to the challenges of gender identity and acceptance within family structures, making it an important read for those navigating similar experiences.

It is also an important read in today’s age of intolerance and the rise of the right because it explores the deep fractures caused by rigid traditions, identity struggles and ideological divides within families and societies. Through Tam’s journey of self-acceptance, the novel highlights the tension between progress and conservatism, reflecting broader cultural and political conflicts.

George’s resistance to change mirrors the anxieties of communities that feel threatened by shifting social norms, while Stefan’s past underscores how history continues to shape prejudices and belonging. In a world increasingly polarised by nationalism, gender politics and resistance to social change, Human, Animal serves as a powerful reminder of the personal costs of intolerance and the courage it takes to challenge inherited beliefs.

The novel is a thought-provoking debut that interrogates many issues with balance and nuance. All the characters carry the weight of their respective eras, making Human, Animal a layered and emotionally resonant read. It doesn’t offer easy answers but instead presents a complex web of choices and consequences.

This debut novel is a compelling read for those interested in contemporary fiction that blends personal struggles with larger socio-political questions.

The reviewer is a content lead at a communications agency

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, April 13th, 2025