Mona Awad’s “We Love You, Bunny” – A Deep Dive into Camp, Creativity, and the Dark Side of Female Bonds
Mona Awad’s follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Bunny, arrives with a hefty dose of the bizarre and a continued exploration of the anxieties surrounding female identity and artistic creation. We Love You, Bunny doesn’t simply replicate the unsettling magic of the first novel; it expands upon it, diving deeper into the twisted world of the Bunnies and offering a surprisingly poignant commentary on the pressures faced by women, particularly those in the arts.
This review will unpack the novel’s strengths and weaknesses, examining Awad’s unique voice and her willingness to embrace the delightfully unsettling.We’ll also consider how we Love You, Bunny navigates the tricky terrain of satire and ultimately delivers a reading experience that is both challenging and rewarding.
A Satirical Edge – Walking the Line
Awad’s writing is characterized by a sharp, often unsettling satire. The opening line, referencing a rather graphic birthing metaphor, instantly sets the tone. This kind of provocative language is a hallmark of her style,but it also carries risk.
The reviewer notes a “brinkmanship” to this satire, acknowledging the potential to veer into misogyny. Though, Awad largely avoids this pitfall. She demonstrates a clear understanding and even appreciation for the complexities of female relationships – the competitive undercurrents, the shared vulnerabilities, and the genuine affection that can exist alongside them. You’ll recognize the dynamic of the “London Fog” friendship, the subtle power plays, and the comfort found in shared intimacy.
Sequelitis and Shifting Perspectives
We Love You, Bunny does suffer from some common sequel pitfalls. It feels more sprawling than Bunny, and the metaphors exploring creativity aren’t quiet as impactful. The decision to shift perspectives to each of the Bunnies proves somewhat disappointing.
They remain largely two-dimensional, embodying familiar tropes of shallow, insecure, and cruel “mean girls.” While their behavior is explained through the lens of dysfunctional, wealthy families, it lacks the resonance of the original novel. In Bunny, the unsettling uniformity of the Bunnies felt like a purposeful echo of the Stepford Wives, reflecting Samantha’s own internal anxieties. Here, inhabiting their negativity feels less compelling.
The Unexpected Star: Aerius, the Bunnyman
The novel truly shines when it introduces Aerius, the first of the “bunnymen” – creatures born from the exploded rabbits. Unlike his successors, Aerius possesses full human anatomy and a distinct personality.
He’s a captivating creation, speaking in a unique blend of Brontë-esque prose, internet slang, and childlike exuberance. His language is peppered with neologisms (“Manny Scripts,” “Lappy Top”) and punctuated with emojis.Aerius’s breathless descriptions of the world – “The hum of Grasses! The Moon casting her slivery Light on my Face!” – are both hilarious and strangely touching. He’s a testament to Awad’s imaginative power.
Romantasy and Serious literature
Toward the novel’s conclusion, a writing professor labels the story as “zany” and a “sort of zany romantasy.” Awad seems to embrace this categorization, suggesting that even the most seemingly frivolous genres can hold serious literary merit.
We Love You, Bunny isn’t afraid to be over-the-top and campy. Yet,beneath the surface,it explores themes of artistic ambition,the pressures of conformity,and the search for authentic connection. It builds upon the foundation laid by Bunny, expanding the world and introducing new layers of complexity.
Is It Worth the Dive?
While it’s best to experience Bunny first, We Love You, Bunny stands on its own as a compelling, if imperfect, novel. It’s a “goofy,overblown flower of a book with lots of thorns that pleasurably scratch.” If you’re looking for a reading experience that is challenging, thought-provoking, and delightfully strange, this book is for you.
**You can purchase We Love You, bunny by Mona Awad at [guardianbookshop.com](https://guardianbookshop.com/we-love-you-bunny-9781
Related reading