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Set after the Boer War, veteran Edward and his nephew Morris seek to deal with their needs: Edward, his trauma, and Morris, his career and future. However, long before their time, a philosophy called zoologism had taken hold in Great Britain. Zoologism's main tenet is to secure humanity's dominant position over other animals. To enforce this, its adherents have created The Defenders, a militia to torture, subordinate, or kill any non-human being that might pose a threat to humans.
The result of generations of the slaughter of wildlife has resulted in violent animal revolts against humans. The Defenders try to stop the attacks by using their standard methods. They are opposed not only by the animals but by humans who find the war abhorrent. In one episode, Edward, in a group of about twenty people that includes Morris and a comrade, Henri, is attacked by hyenas. Traumatized by his previous war experiences, Edward cannot move for a while or remember the situation. Shortly afterward, Edward travels to Deloga Bay, and Morris remains involved in the bloody confusion in Pretoria.
This novel is an allegory about the dangers of all forms of empire-building and the attempted domination of one group over others. The results ultimately are genocide, war, and retribution. Everyone loses—not only personal control but their decency. The lessons are reminiscent of those found in Daphne Du Maurier's short story, "The Birds," only on a massive scale that includes every species. The book is a painful reminder about how violent, invasive mistakes made in the past often result in violent uprisings by those who have experienced long-term oppression and mass slaughter. Heyrman's book shouts a vital warning to all of mankind.