A meditative tale of instinct, choice, and awakening…
Arthur’s brilliant novel opens underground, in the stillness of a marmot colony buried deep beneath the snow. There, Muunokhoi, a large, intelligent tarbagan marmot, awakens too early from hibernation. With the world above still locked in winter and his family asleep and unreachable, Muunokhoi must make a harrowing choice: remain and starve, or abandon his home in search of food and survival.
Arthur skilfully balances meticulous zoological realism with sweeping allegorical scope. Muunokhoi remains fully marmot. His concerns are territorial limits, burrow design, and mating rhythms yet his experience resonates deeply with human themes. The prose is crisp and clear, with a strong sense of place. The plot deepens through Muunokhoi’s relationship with Bolor. The latter’s musings on ancient stories and unseen currents bring a quiet depth to the story’s earthly world. The more they talk, the more unsettling questions begin to emerge: Is Muunokhoi just a strange misstep in nature or the start of something new? And if he’s becoming something different, what does that mean for who he is, and what he was? The central tension: Muunokhoi’s forced departure from the world he built, is never overstated, but its emotional weight is clear. The novel’s philosophical stakes are high: the more conscious Muunokhoi becomes, the more isolated he feels. But he is not cast out by his peers: rather it is his very ability to see differently, feel deeply, and think beyond instinct.
Readers expecting a fast-paced animal adventure may find the philosophical digressions slow, but those who embrace the story’s quiet depth will be rewarded with a rich, memorable reading experience. A stunner.
FriesenPress
Pub date January 10, 2025
ISBN 978-1-03-831352-2
Price $38.49 Hardcover, $26.49 Paperback
