The Constant Rabbit

My first encounter with Jasper Fforde was many years ago, with the Thursday Next series of literary crime capers set in an alternative Britain. Well, in this bonkers stand-alone novel, we are yet again in an alternative Britain (the town of Hereford to be precise), where a mysterious Event in 1965 has caused the rabbit population to become anthropomorphised. Nobody knows how or why this happened; it also affected foxes, weasels and small number of other species though it’s only the foxes and weasels (predators of rabbits) that really come into the story.

The humanoid rabbits, descended from laboratory, pet and wild varieties have developed their own society, culture, religion (led by the Great Bunty) and speak excellent English as well as Rabitty. Rather predictably, some elements of the human population aren’t too sure about the new members of society. A thinly disguised Nigel Farage figure has set up a political party UKARP, which now runs the country on the back of the populist vote. Various government bodies have been set up to deal with the perceived rabbit issue. This is where the main (human) protagonist comes in, Peter Knox, who works for a government agency as a spotter. This job is quite a specialist role as apparently not many humans can tell rabbits apart, but Peter has this talent, which is useful to the task of monitoring the rabbit population and keeping an eye on ‘criminal’ elements. All is usual in his existence, until he becomes reacquainted with Constance Rabbit, with whom he was friendly at university before rabbits were banned from universities.

Peter Knox lives with his daughter Pippa in a small village, peopled with inhabitants whose main concern is to keep everything just as it is (i.e., no rabbits moving in) and to win the tidy villages award. As you might imagine, this is an entertaining, witty read in true Fforde style, but it also has a much darker, even chilling side. He tackles issues of prejudice, othering and the complicity that enables these to take hold and flourish. Many people, such as Peter who would consider themselves to be good people, have simply kept their heads down and allowed the situation to continue. But will Peter redeem himself, keep faith with Connie and decide to stand up and be counted? Read it and find out…