Fluffy and cute, not happening

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Bunny

Monica Awad 

305 pages, Paperback, First published 11 June 2019

Samatha is an outsider at an elite US College called Warren, she is majoring in their creative writing course. As part of her classes, attends a workshop with a group of women who call each other Bunny. Samantha loathes them and with her friend Ava ridicules their entitlement and speaking as one. When Samantha is invited and attends one of the Bunnies ‘smut salon’, well everything changes.

This is a delightful mash of the Secret History, Mean Girls, Heathers and Fight Club. Where the lines of reality are blurred and at times completely obliterated. For everything is in the eye of the beholder and Samantha is one hell of an unreliable narrator. Samantha is character who is extremely complex, and you are never sure if she is the victim or the villain. For there are times when Samatha is extremely passive and other times when she is on the front foot. What becomes clear is that Samantha is lonely, is seeking acceptance both socially and academically and that poverty is her constant companion. Being part of an elite college, should have its benefits but Samantha really struggles and is seemingly offered no assistance. When Samantha is invited to the Bunnies smut salon, she acts like an unwilling participant, but you know that she is desperate to go. What happens from there is, well you need to go down that rabbit hole yourself to truly appreciate what occurs.

Awad writing is glorious, some of the descriptions and barbs are so razor sharp, plus there is a good dose of humour. I enjoyed identifying the many pop culture and literary references through the book. This is one of the most bizarre, strange and enjoyable novels I have read for some time. It will not be to everyone’s liking but that is okay. Awad challenges and that is a good thing.

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