The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty review

On a warm evening in Apartment C4, Blandine Watkins has an out-of-body experience. At 18 years old, she has longed for this moment. The book “The Rabbit Hutch” starts with this scene. Mystics might call it a spiritual heart event, but Blandine does not see any angels, just a glowing man in his 50s.

Tess Gunty, the author, knows how to grab your attention from the start. The story slowly reveals Blandine’s identity, the role of mystics, the involvement of a glowing older man, and the reason behind the gathering of various lives, including a goat, at a critical point.

The story mainly takes place in the Rabbit Hutch, an apartment complex where Blandine has her experience. Its real name is La Lapiniere Affordable Housing Complex in Vacca Vale, Indiana. It is an old town that used to thrive on the car industry but is now falling apart. Only a few impressive buildings and contaminated groundwater are left from the days when the Zorn car company was booming.

Zorn and Vacca Vale are fictional, but they represent the decline of American towns that were once industrial hubs. This is similar to what happened in Flint, Michigan, as shown in Michael Moore’s 1989 documentary “Roger & Me.” Gunty starts her book with a quote from that movie.

The quote she picks is not directly about economic troubles or capitalism. It is about rabbits, said by Rhonda Britton, known as “the bunny lady” from the movie. She said if you cannot sell rabbits as pets, you have to use them for meat. If you do not keep them in separate cages, they fight and hurt each other.

Gunty explores the troubled minds living in the housing complex. There is an old couple who argue, a man in his sixties who is bitter towards women, and a young mother scared by her baby’s accusing gaze.

These characters live too close to each other, causing tension and isolation. The novel shows how people crave love but also see it as a burden. One character thinks people are like a virus, affecting others whether they like it or not.

For women, it is even harder because their bodies are seen as something to be used. A pregnant woman feels like her body is being taken over by the baby like a developer taking over a building. Blandine is frustrated with how people want to take advantage of her without permission.

The novel is full of ideas, but Gunty does not always balance them well. She likes to go off on tangents but keeps reminding us about Blandine, which prevents the story from flowing smoothly. The constant return to the main story stops the novel from feeling complete.

FAQs

What is “The Rabbit Hutch”?

“The Rabbit Hutch” is a novel written by debut author Tess Gunty. It starts with a mysterious out-of-body experience by an 18-year-old girl named Blandine Watkins.

Where does the story take place?

The main setting is an apartment complex called La Lapiniere Affordable Housing Complex in Vacca Vale, Indiana. This town has seen better days but now suffers from decay.

Who are the characters in the novel?

The story introduces various characters living in the Rabbit Hutch. There’s an elderly couple, a bitter man in his sixties, a scared young mother, and others. Their lives intersect in unexpected ways.

What themes does the novel explore?

The novel delves into isolation, love, and the struggle for identity. It portrays how people affect each other, sometimes unintentionally, and how women’s bodies are often seen as commodities.

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