Anne Haverty

I just finished this book so have not spent much time reflecting on it. The book was a somewhat compelling read. The writer demonstrates abundant talent. But the book will not make it to my most memorable book list. Readers should think about the parallels between the characters Pierce and Missy, the genetically-engineered sheep. They are both good-natured, probably too good natured towards Martin and Etti. And both are manipulated by them. Their deaths occur at approximately the same time, at the end of Martin and Etti's sojourn to France. Pierce's death brings about the end of the vacation, and Missy's death is a direct result of Pierce's death. It seems that Missy was a doppelganger of Pierce, thus Pierce's demise brought about Missy's. One could not continue to survive without the other. Pierce was human with a meek, forgiving, sheepish nature. Missy was a sheep but with a human streak. Both loved Martin and Etti. Etti at one point compares Missy to a sacrificial lamb, evoking images of Christ. Pierce, realizing his wife has run away with his brother, takes a stand as a tiger/sheep. He dies in a crash on a journey to bring back the runaways, acting with the bravado of a tiger for one day in his life. But just prior to leaving, he rewrites his will so that his brother will inherit the farm to which he had earlier forfeited ownership. This tells the reader Pierce's suicide was to sacrifice himself, as a lamb, so Martin and Etti can live happily on the farm. Perhaps this was the real act of a tiger, but couched within the cloak of a sheep. Or it could be vice-versa. As with any good story, the ambiguity of right and wrong keeps us thinking. On the surface of the story, Martin's spontaneous trip to France with Etti and Missy was his act as a tiger; most of his days prior were spent shuffling aimlessly. We don't know with certainly where the story will go after the final page, but we sense Martin may begin to fight as a tiger, and perhaps become more like Pierce in his emerging steadfastness to hold onto the life he wants or thinks he wants.… (mere)