A debut collection with a fresh approach Decline of the Animal Kingdom
investigates modern constructs of domesticity, freedom, wilderness, and
artificiality to paint a portrait of what it means to be human, animal,
or both in a society saturated with dog boutiques, trophy hunting, retro
taxidermy, and eco-tourism. With brief forays into Algonquin Park and
the heart of the 1980s jungle, the book largely draws its energy from
the urban landscape, where the animals that interact with the
environment have permanent effects on the land and human psyche. A wild
deer wanders into the downtown core; the Galapagos and the ethics of
conservation invade our Xbox; a mule grows weary of his unrewarding
office job and unfulfilling relationships. Exploring the victories and
defeats of an urban existence complete with 9-to-5 office angst, the
claustrophobia of domestic partnerships in bachelor apartments, and
party-and-pick-up culture, Decline of the Animal Kingdom is Laura
Clarke's love letter to the city of Toronto, and to extinct animals and
office misfits alike.