Review by Ian Keogh
Allain Bougrain-Doubourg is a producer of award winning nature documentaries aimed at the protection and conservation of the species that share our planet. Frédéric Brrémaud’s comics writing frequently features animals (see recommendations), so they’re a sympathetic pairing when it comes to presenting first person stories of the dangers assorted species currently face. Before reading, the idea of animals writing letters may seem merely a novelty, but from the first episode of the dangers turtles face from plastic in the seas, it proves a powerful method of opening eyes. The idea that the oceans now contain six times more plastic than plankton is a horrific revelation to anyone who cares about marine life.
Each chapter occupies up to six pages, as the assorted species present their case. It’s a catalogue of horror from the experimentation on rabbits to the fate of greyhounds that don’t win races, and Brrémaud doesn’t spare the sensibilities of readers. He contextualises the letters with explanations of how life would be in the wild without human interference, and ends each chapter recording the progress made in some countries regarding addressing the concerns. The inclusions aren’t just those we might separate into prey like the chicken, the ortolan bunting and rabbits, as predators such as sharks, tigers and wolves are also under great threat.
Despite the minor notes of optimism, Letters From Animals would be a very depressing read were it not for the choice to contrast the text with the friendly cartooning of Giovanni Rigano. Brrémaud supplies gags for cartoon versions of the featured creatures, given an appealing comedy polish by Rigano, who presents friendly humanised animals. Where possible they’re drawn to be cute, not in a Disney animation way, but by accentuating the characteristics or appearances they already have.
While the suffering of turtles is down to humanity’s incidental lack of concern for the planet, almost every other species mentioned is directly targetted by humans, whether it’s the perpetuation of bullfighting in some countries or the convenience of shooting any wolf in the area rather than taking the effort to identify which are impacting on local livestock.
Advice on how readers can become involved in animal protection is supplied in the bonus material along with some pages of Rigano’s sketches. This isn’t easy reading, but should be handed to every child of a reasonable age if we want to see some species survive for their children, and an end to cruel practices.
