It is no secret that pets can fundamentally change a family’s dynamic.
In The Burrow, Melanie Cheng takes this premise to heart, dropping the reader into the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the adjustment period that comes with introducing a new (furry) family member. The book came to me at the perfect time, as I had just adopted a new kitten. I also finished it in one sitting, which is a rave review in itself.
The Burrow follows Jin, Amy and Lucie as they navigate the lingering feelings of loss and personal tragedy – which ultimately return to the fore after the adoption of a small lop rabbit. What ensues is a devastatingly beautiful portrait of the ebbs and flows of grief and the revealing of secrets that impact the entire family.
Fiver (the rabbit) and Lucie (the daughter) often mirror the idea of being prey and feeling hunted. Lucie’s constant catastrophising and anxious thoughts reflect Fiver’s vulnerability, and her commentary is particularly moving to someone with similar thought patterns. Amy and Jin are also wonderfully crafted, complex creations, realistic in their flaws and emotions.
As she explores the fraught nature of relationships between adults and children alike, intensified by the main protagonist’s role as a doctor during the height of the pandemic, Cheng masterfully creates a snapshot of the lives of her characters without leaving the plot feeling truncated or unfinished. What could have been a dark novel about grief and devastation turns out to be a poignant reminder of the glimmers of hope and happiness that can shine through despite the sadness.
This is a book I’ll be thinking about for a while, and I can imagine myself continuing to unpick the layers with every re-read.