The Constant Rabbit

A Novel

By: Jasper Fforde

Narrated by: Andrew Wincott

"Reads like a crazed cross between Watership Down and Nineteen Eighty-Four." (The Guardian)

A new stand-alone novel from the New York Times best-selling author of Early Riser and the Thursday Next series.

England, 2022. There are 1.2 million human-size rabbits living in the UK. They wear clothes and can walk, talk, and drive cars, the result of an inexplicable Spontaneous Anthropomorphizing Event 55 years earlier.

A family of rabbits is about to move into Much Hemlock, a cozy little village in Middle England where life revolves around summer fetes, jam making, gossipy corner stores, and the oh-so-important Spick & Span awards for the best-kept village.

No sooner have the rabbits arrived than the villagers decide they must depart, citing their propensity to burrow and breed and their shameless levels of veganism.

But Mrs. Constance Rabbit is made of sterner stuff, and she and her family decide they are to stay. Unusually, their neighbors - longtime resident Peter Knox and his daughter, Pippa - decide to stand with them...and soon discover that you can be a friend to rabbits or to humans, but not both. With a blossoming romance, acute cultural differences, enforced rehoming to a MegaWarren in Wales, and the full power of the ruling United Kingdom Anti-Rabbit Party against them, Peter and Pippa are about to question everything they had ever thought about their friends, their nation, and their species.

An inimitable blend of satire, fantasy, and thriller, The Constant Rabbit is the latest dazzlingly original foray into Jasper Fforde's ever-astonishing creative genius.

©2020 Jasper Fforde (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Fforde invokes John le Carré, George Orwell, and Beatrix Potter in this tongue-in-cheek political satire of systemic injustice, bureaucratic corruption, and human foibles.... Amid a rapid-fire barrage of literary allusions, Fforde displays his signature quick wit on a furious tour through modern British right-wing politics. Playful, biting, and timely, this is a must-read. (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"Wonderfully absurd.... Is there anyone who can write satire quite like Fforde? ... Brilliant.... An astonishingly well-crafted work of social and political satire." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

"As he did in Early Riser (2019), Fforde presents a milquetoast cog in an absurdly bureaucratic wheel, this time cleverly skewering Brexit, conservative politics, and white supremacy in this surprisingly uplifting tale of one man doing his best, even if it is the bare minimum." (Booklist)

Ffabulous ffun.

An enjoyable story, rife with wit, that can serve as an absurdly sensible satire of sapien absurdity.

Satire at its finest

This was an excellent book. A truly perfect example of political satire and absurdism, and really did a wonderful job of showcasing the absolute idiocy of right-wing politics. It also makes the excellent and very important point that silence and complicity in the face of hatred and bigotry makes one just as guilty of it as those who are actually committing the actions. But, just like Constance says, everyone is capable of change and growth if they really want to do it.

new idea for sure

it was hard to get into the beginning, slow start. As it continued I still don't totally know if I like the main character. the story was enough that I wanted to keep going, original idea for sure

Another Great Book by Jasper Fforde

If you like anything by Jasper Fforde, you'll really enjoy this book.
The story takes place in a dystopian near future and is complex and detailed. It is highly critical of humans and the modern world, but also emotionally compelling. I really didn't see the end coming and broke down in tears at the very end.

Jasper Fforde back to form! Delightful listen.

Jasper Fforde back to form! Delightful listen.
I've been a fan for years. Didn't make it through his last one though. It was too dark. This one feels like more like a return to a (slightly) more playful voice.

just keep going

slow to get involved but witty, satirical and relevant to many of the issue still facing the UK as well as USA.

Enjoyable throughout.

At first some confusion between characters, then thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable. unforeseen ending. want sequel.

Great literature

The 1st chapter was difficult to follow, but then it gets good! Not sure how his daughter became a rabbit…?

Great Jasper Fforde book, perfectly narrated

A classic adventure that keeps you engaged and curious throughout. Really loved the narrator. Recommend for any fans of Fforde’s other works.

its ok

trying a bit too hard to be cute with names I think. Story is ok, but too easily compared to Orwell mashup.