This is a stunningly written short novel. In many ways it’s the literary equivalent of an Attenborough documentary as we get a guided tour through an ecosystem of the future. Rather than have an over-arching plot, there are instead small vignettes on individual animals and their lives.

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To The Dogs depicts a future post-human civilisation, where nature has taken over the ruins of cities, and a small population of humans have returned to a life as hunter-gatherers. The land belongs to the dogs now, and Maskell paints a vivid picture of their lives. It is clear that a love and admiration for nature – and its inescapable power – are at the centre of this book. The world and atmosphere of the story have been brilliantly crafted, and the characters feel so real even though they are nameless, speechless animals.

It would have been nice to have a little more plot, or a little more backstory, but on the whole this is a beautifully written book that transports you to a world not so far from our own.

I received a free copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.