Squirrels in the Wall―a novel told in stories by a collection of interspecies voices―presents a unique and darkly hilarious blend of human and animal perspectives in a single setting on a Wisconsin lake. The stories provide a kaleidoscope of heartbreak among both human and animal characters as they confront abuse and death.
We chat to author Henry Hitz about his new novel, Squirrels In The Wall, including its inspiration and challenges, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi Henry! Tell us a little about yourself!
I taught preschool for thirty years in San Francisco and directed a nonprofit organizing parents in Oakland for another twenty. Attaching myself to the school year gave me time to write. I’ve actually written six novels, three of which have been published. I’m currently editing an anthology of working class organizing called Solidarity. I have three children and one grandchild. I live with my wife, two sisters, two dogs, a cat, and various Airbnb guests. Working with children and parents has taught me that every generation of parents is a little better than the previous one, and this is a cause for immense hope for the future of humanity.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
When I was eight years old, I wrote a story called “Fate and Pearl Harbor.”
Your new novel, Squirrels In The Wall, publishes on October 15th. If you could only use five words to describe it, what would they be?
Cutest book about death ever.
Now let’s hear a little more! What can readers expect?
It’s about the humanity of animals and the animality of humans. It’s a novel told in stories by a collection of interspecies voices―presents a unique and darkly hilarious blend of human and animal perspectives in a single setting on a Wisconsin lake. The stories provide a kaleidoscope of heartbreak among both human and animal characters as they confront abuse and death.
Where did the inspiration for your new novel come from?
I’ve long felt that human arrogance toward nature and the rest of the animal kingdom was at the root of human suffering and its penchant for self-destruction. My first novel was about a man raised by baboons in Kenya and I created a baboon universe with language, philosophy, and culture. With that novel and the subsequent stories that make up Squirrels I turned the “scientific” aversion to anthropomorphism on its head: what if animals were exactly like us in every way that they weren’t demonstrably different, like walking on two legs or writing novels.
Do you have a favourite line from Squirrels In The Wall?
Life is death’s dream.
Were there any particular parts that challenged you while writing?
It was a challenge to integrate the stories into a novel with a strong narrative arc. Took me about a year. It was also a challenge to overcome my fears of how people in my family and others might react to portrayals of characters based on them.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
The hardest part is overcoming one’s aversion to the marketing aspect of writing. Writers tend to be introverts and successful marketers tend to be extroverts. That’s why the NYT bestseller lists are filled with bad writers who are skilled marketers. So my advice is to embrace your inner asshole and learn to market yourself and your work.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a novel called Thoth narrated by the Egyptian god of writing. It’s a political satire similar to Animal Farm but with newly awakened indigenous gods rather than animals.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
My own White Knight of course, a midquel to Squirrels. Kafka’s The Castle is my favourite novel. More recent books: The Overstory by Richard Powers; The Good Lord Bird, by James McBride; 4321 by Paul Auster, The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Nguyen, Alias Grace, by Margaret Atwood.
Find Henry at his website, along with his Facebook and Twitter.
