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How to Be Human
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
14 posts | 13 read | 23 to read
From Guardian writer Paula Cocozza, a debut novel of the breakdown of a marriage, suburbian claustrophobia, and a woman's unseemly passion for a fox One summer's night, Mary comes home from a midnight ramble to find a baby lying on her back door step. Has Mary stolen the baby from next door? Has the baby's mother, Mary's neighbour, left her there in her acute state of post-natal depression? Or was the baby brought to Mary as a gift by the fox who is increasingly coming to dominate her life? So opens How to Be Human, a novel set in a London suburb beset by urban foxes. On leave from work, unsettled by the proximity of her ex, and struggling with her hostile neighbours, Mary has become increasingly captivated by a magnificent fox who is always in her garden. First she sees him wink at her, then he brings her presents, and finally she invites him into her house. As the boundaries between the domestic and the wild blur, and the neighbours set out to exterminate the fox, it is unclear if Mary will save the fox, or the fox save Mary. In this masterful debut, Paula Cocozza weaves together a penetrating portrait of marital breakdown, a social novel of wit and nuance, and an obsessive love story that crosses new boundaries. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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review
quietlycuriouskate
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Pickpick

I haven't decided how to rate this. I mean, it's a pick but I've yet to make up my mind whether it was extraordinary or just bizarre.
Mary finds a baby on her doorstep but right away there are plentiful hints that it's she who is going adrift. Cocozza certainly knows how to end a chapter in a way that makes you keep reading... but after 100 pages or so it all started to get very strange. (Mary's creepy-AF former partner was the least of it!)

50 likes1 stack add
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rachaich
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Bailedbailed

Sadly I have bailed :(
After a great beginning, it became too odd for me to continue.

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rachaich
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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What an ace cover!
Interesting title. Even more interesting premise. A single woman encounters a fox with whom she begins to have conversations... but it doesn't seem odd when you're reading it!

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elizabethlk
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Mehso-so

Not the tagged book but has the same title. Wasn't overly keen on this one. The art and writing style wasn't really to my taste. I didn't like how the author positioned herself as representative of all autistic people. It was hard to tell what age group this was targeted for. Some of the terminology used made me cringe. A lot of the print was hard or awkward to read. I was glad to see an autistic person telling their own story though.

43 likes1 stack add
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jhod
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Got a great quote for #recovery too. Finished this book tonight, never read anything like it, I would recommend.
#noteworthynovember
@Jess7

Cathythoughts Sounds interesting 👍 6y
73 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
jhod
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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#quotsynov17
#quotsy
@TK-421
#temper
This horrible controlling man has also got a temper. Be strong Mary!

Also I made a fire!

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jhod
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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#tuneintonovember
@Robothugs @Cinfhen
#shine

A little bit of shine from the sun on my walk in the woods today.
And now I'm back I can smugly settle into the sofa with my book!
#currentlyreading

rockpools Pretty! 6y
Kaye Very pretty. It‘s grey and wet and sloshy here today. 🌧 6y
JenReadsAlot Pretty! 6y
See All 6 Comments
BookMaven407 Gorgeous scenery! 6y
Cinfhen Lovely 😊💗 6y
DrJAdMerricksson Oh, how beautiful! 6y
98 likes6 comments
review
Eviebookish
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Pickpick

What an intriguing, extremely honest and readable story. I didn't expect to be so entranced by it, but I enjoyed every moment of it.
This is a story for mature readers (not because of the contents, but because mature readers will appreciate it more). A fine literary piece I will remember for a long time!

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KikiLovesBooks
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Pickpick

Full disclosure: I ❤️ foxes. So I was drawn to this book and was happy to get an ARC! Mary is clearly depressed-job, her ex, her neighbors-its all becoming too much for her. She notices a fox lurking about and becomes fascinated and obsessed with him. This is really a book about connecting with someone and how important that truly is. Even if it is a fox! 4/5 stars.

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KikiLovesBooks
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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I just got this last night when I got home from work and I'm so excited! I've only read the first few pages, since I had a terrible headache. But the writing is wonderful.

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AmyLarge
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
Pickpick

Uncomfortable read in places, with an ex with a violent streak, neighbours with their own hidden issues and lives, and Mary's interactions with Flora all leaving me a bit unsettled. But it was a great read. It makes you think about how much of a life is hidden beneath the surface or not visible to the eye, much like the Fox's burrow and scent markings. Liked the use of Fox POV very much!

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Sweettartlaura
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Pickpick

I almost let #recommendsday go without talking up this book😱
Paula Cocozza's novel about a woman who falls in love with a fox speaks to our basic needs: to sit in silence; to accept & be accepted as one is; to connect with our senses; to disconnect with the demands of society. Reminiscent of both The Awakening & The Life of Pi, this is a quiet gem that is worth your time.
(PS - Jasper gets to pose as a fox here, because look at that tail!)

Cinfhen Nice review 💛 7y
Sweettartlaura Thanks, @Cinfhen 🙂 7y
46 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Sweettartlaura
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Jasper is like, "Seriously? You're starting ANOTHER book ... Now??? You finished 2 today, read a volume of a graphic novel series, & several short stories. Isn't that enough???"

No, Jasperkitty, it is not ?

#catsoflitsy

MrBook #Jasper!!! 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻 7y
DebinHawaii 🐱❤️ 7y
Texreader That is a perfect photo of a darling cat! ❤️😻 7y
See All 7 Comments
Reviewsbylola Jasper is judging. 😹 7y
shanebeth look at that little face!!! 😽❤️ 7y
Bookzombie 💕🐱 7y
JessClark78 🐱❤️ 7y
70 likes7 comments
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Sweettartlaura
How to Be Human | Paula Cocozza
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Oh, hey, #bookishmail today😍. Really looking forward to this #ARC📚

36 likes1 stack add1 comment