The bear deities, Artio and Artaius, who’ll rise from sleep; the salmon of wisdom who gifts understanding of the universe’s past, present and future; the Lion Man carved 40,000 years ago. Join Elizabeth Sulis Kim as she travels across the globe and through time, from our deep past into the future, bringing together the animals which have captivated us for millennia.

Steeped in folklore, mythology, magic and religion, The Book of Beasts tells the story of our shapeshifting relationships with animals, from reverence to persecution, friendship to fear, awe to indifference. It asks us what we actually know about the creatures we share this world with – and offers us a different way of living together.

Published by Chatto & Windus / Vintage

‘The Book of Beasts is an ingenious, beautifully written bridge between the ancient and modern, past and present, nonhuman and human – and a must-read for anyone who cares about a more meaningful existence on earth.’
– Juhea Kim, internationally bestselling author of Beasts of a Little Land and A Love Story from the End of the World

'This beautifully written book considers the relationship between humans and animals through the whole of time and across the planet’ –professor Ronald Hutton

‘Beautiful and provocative. Anyone who loved animal stories as a child will find this book enchanting. Elizabeth Sulis Kim shows how to think differently about the creatures with whom we share our planet’ -- Henry Mance, Financial Times journalist and author of How to Love Animals in a Human Shaped World

‘Wild and strange, and full to the brim with tales from the deep past, offering a meaningful connection to our ancestors. It is a reminder of what we came from and how we might move forwards into the future; a brighter future filled with beasts. An essential for any bestiary or folklore fan’ --Lally MacBeth, author of The Lost Folk

‘Immersive, enchanting, and exquisitely written, The Book of Beasts is a clarion call to rethink and rewild our relationship with animals. Prepare to be changed by this magical book.’ -- Kristen J. Sollée, author of Cat Call: Reclaiming the Feral Feminine

‘The Book of Beasts is epic and wise, but also tender and sensitive. From prehistory to the present, through myth and magic to religion and literature, this captivating and highly-original book explores the immense importance of animals across diverse human cultures. With profound reflections about the power of beastly thinking, The Book of Beasts is essential reading for animal lovers everywhere.’ -- Thomas Waters, author of Cursed Britain: A History of Witchcraft and Black Magic in Modern Times

‘Elizabeth Sulis Kim nudges us to re-enchant the world by recognizing the magic and mystery of wild creatures... highly captivating, deeply emotional and beautifully nuanced’ -- Chelsea Wolfe, musician

‘Required reading for the Anthropocene.’ – Elizabeth Dearnley, author of Fearsome Fairies

‘‘A rich tapestry of history, science, folklore and legend from around the globe, this brilliant book reveals how humans through time have drawn inspiration, enchantment and guidance from animals, while also devaluing, exploiting and abusing them.’ –Fiona Robertson, the author of Stone Lands