Last week, I was gifted this lovely feedback (shared with permission).
So I read Animals Are People over Christmas, Peter, and I have to say, I think it is a triumph! I wasn’t expecting it to, but it’s completely changed the way I view the world and the animals I share it with. And it’s resulted in a lot of extra reading that I am greatly enjoying. This is just a quick note to say thank you for all the work you put into writing this. You have totally made the world a better place with this work, and I can think of no greater aim for any art!
They went on to explain the changes engendered by my book.
I now no longer eat meat, and I discovered that making your own tofu is both easy and incredibly tasty! I’ve also discovered that soya milk actually makes a good cup of tea great! Who knew?! Changing how an Englishman takes his tea is on par with moving mountains. I’m currently reading Sand Talk and Ishmael and loving them both. But the greatest change is my relationship with my dogs, who (if they could) would thank you for the changes your book has brought to our relationships. The story opened my mind to a huge number of things they have each been trying to teach me. Thank you!
As you can imagine, it felt good to read these words. And it validated my heartfelt belief (and my experience) that books change lives.
Books Hold Power
It’s surprisingly hard to change a mind. People resist. Tempers flare. But a reader invites a book into their world; and often, they do so precisely because they are open to change — when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. And the time it takes to read a book turns a teachable moment into a life-changing experience.
Even non-readers suspect this power, as immortalized in Fahrenheit 451.
There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there.
The power and diversity of ideas in books is inspiring. That’s why fascists burn books. But books aren’t so easy to erase. Unlike websites, algorithms, and large language models, books aren’t subject to the whims of dictators. Once written, books endure — in our homes, in our libraries, and in our minds.
Write For Change
In writing my novel, I hoped to change the lives of my readers and of all the sentient beings their lives affect. I am happy to be achieving this aspiration.
Now I’m working on a new book. I’ll share more soon. Meanwhile, I urge you to write a book. In the face of chaos and cruelty, shift your stance from reactive to proactive, take the time to write the change you want to see, and never doubt — books change lives.