Lin's Perspective

“Before she bounded off, the doe sent another look straight at Peter, one that seemed to say, You humans. You ruin everything…”

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

This has to be hands-down my favourite book of 2023. The only thing I wish was different is me picking it up sooner. It has been on my TBR since 2016 when it came out. As soon as I saw the fox on the cover, I knew I had to have it and read it, without even knowing what it was about. In my world, a fox=instant love and immediate add to my reading list no questions asked.

_{give me all the foxes!!!}

I cried a lot while listening to the audiobook, and I will be thinking about it for a very long time. The plot was simply so well crafted and thought through. The topics the author tackles are relatable, and they will challenge your beliefs with brought out unspoken ugly truths that we are oblivious to or choose not to pay attention to. I don’t really want to take any political turn or view for that matter this is not what this book nor my review is about it is simply an observation that this book provoked in me.

SPOILER SECTION

Oh man, was it difficult to hear some of the passages… Personally, I cannot deal with anything that has animal cruelty/animal dying in books let alone in real life. However, this book packed a punch but dealt with this topic so delicately, that I could not stop listening to it. It was raw and visceral at times, but we need to hear about such things and be exposed to them so we would not forget our humanity and empathy and that animals have feelings and can feel pain too just like we do. And way too often we do forget about these facts…

When Pax was left on its own devices my heart sank, abandoning beloved pets in general is a cruel thing to do, it is inhumane and cannot in my view be justified by anything. This is exactly what happens in this story and we follow Pax and Peter on their journey of reuniting with one another. Each one going through their own struggles and obstacles and learning and mending along the way.

Pax’s POV was hard to swallow at times, I had to pause the audiobook several times, to compose myself and gather my thoughts. The way I can describe it is, it was not the cruel scenes that the author showed, but rather the way we humans act and treat not only animals but other people. It is a book that calls out on human behaviour, calls out about the wars we cause, and how in the process we destroy everything and everyone without even stopping for a moment and reconsidering our actions.

Peter, on the other hand, is dealing with the death of his mother whom he lost when he was only 7 years old now he is nearly 13, and Pax was the only thing that held him together. It was his comfort, his home. When he was forced to abandon him by his dad due to the upcoming war, Peter’s world crumbled and he ventured on getting his best friend back no matter what.

During his adventure Peter, meets Vola, that is an interesting yet complicated character that has her own demons to take care of, but little did she know that this little boy would actually help her in more ways than she could have ever imagined. We see how mental health is portrayed and what the aftermath of serving in the army could do to the human psyche. Along with the life-long consequences that only the victims are left to deal with.

This book has so many layers, it is not just a book about animals and humans, it is a study of emotions, perseverance, healing, and redemption. It shows us the cruelty we are capable of, but also the immense love and sense of community that we could achieve. It is a commentary of the ugly and the beauty we encounter on a daily basis, what we choose to do and to deal with it determines what kind of people we are and our values.

Just, please read this book.

I just want to leave you with some food for your thoughts read at your discretion:

“…A human came then, with a stick. Both our parents screamed at us to run home. We stayed. We saw. The human raised the stick, and in front of our eyes our mother and our father burst into blood and fur and shattered bones spattered over the snow.”

Additionally please take a moment to admire the cover!

I cannot recommend it enough. It has to be read.