Liebes Tier

Dear Animal is a book about the love between animals and humans, about the intense feelings that circulate within this love, and about humans and animals throughout history. In this lecture originally given to children, Hélène Cixous shares her encounters with animals, discussing translations, understandings, and misunderstandings between humans and animals. Beginning with the murder of animal rights activist Joan Root, all these stories also carry a historical-political significance. They consistently embody the drama and depth of tragedies, such as the tale of the betrayed dog from her childhood in Algeria or the dilemma faced by the narrator when surprised by a house fire: Who should be saved first from the flames, the manuscripts or the cats?.