The Memory of Animals

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From the Costa-Winning, Women's Prize-shortlisted author of Unsettled Ground comes a gripping, haunting tale of memory, love, and survival. Neffy, a young woman burdened by grief, guilt, and a career-derailing mistake, seeks refuge by volunteering for a controlled vaccine trial. This opportunity not only helps her pay off debts but also offers a chance for redemption. However, when silence envelops the London streets and all communication ceases, Neffy finds herself isolated with four other volunteers in the unit. As food dwindles, suspicions arise about the secrets her companions may be hiding. Neffy grapples with the uncertainty of whether safety exists within the unit or beyond its walls, and what dangers lurk outside. Amidst this turmoil, she discovers a groundbreaking and controversial technology that allows her to revisit her past, reliving memories of her childhood split between her enigmatic mother and her father’s hotel in Greece. Captivated by the allure of her past and the possibility of reconnecting with loved ones, Neffy increasingly distances herself from her precarious present. As she navigates this new reality, she must confront the delicate balance between survival and the bonds formed with strangers. Ultimately, the narrative explores themes of freedom, captivity, sacrifice, and the quest for self-preservation in a world fraught with uncertainty.