This is not a novel in a traditional sense. The text consists of alternating paragraphs of perspective. One tells the emotional development of a young girl into middle aged woman; this is told in second tense. The alternating paragraphs are a chorus of voices: zookeepers, butchers, farmers, scientists (all people who work closely with animals). The text is a meditation on dependency, agency, freedom, ferocity, love. It‘s an odd yet quick read!