The creature at the centre of this remarkable book is an enigma. We never really know what he is thinking, and in fact he may not think at all, in the ratiocinatory sense. Susan Orlean presents to us a being who is driven by instinct, operating by a set of large, simple affects – love, honour, bravery and above all loyalty. He remains faithful throughout his life to the companion with whom at an early age he found himself paired, and while he acknowledges and even shows affection towards others, in truth he loves only his best friend. "He had become," Orlean writes, "as familiar to me as a family member, and, as is often case with a family member, he also remained a mystery. ... Continue reading →