55 pages • 1 hour read
Lauren BeukesZoo City
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In an alternate Johannesburg, South Africa, people with animal familiars that symbolize their criminal pasts gain magical abilities. Zinzi December, accompanied by a Sloth, locates lost things to repay debts from her days as a junkie. Her routine derails when she’s hired to find a missing pop star, uncovering a dangerous conspiracy that forces her to confront criminals manipulating the powers of animal familiars for sinister purposes. The book includes depictions of drug addiction and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Zoo City by Lauren Beukes is praised for its imaginative world-building and gritty narrative. Reviewers commend its unique take on urban fantasy and compelling social commentary. However, some criticize its pacing and complexity, finding parts convoluted. Overall, it stands out for originality and thought-provoking themes, appealing to fans of genre-blending fiction.
Who Should Read Zoo City ?
Readers who enjoy Zoo City by Lauren Beukes often appreciate gritty urban fantasy infused with noir elements. Fans of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere and China Miéville's Perdido Street Station will likely be drawn to its unique blend of dark, magical realism and socio-political commentary. The novel's vivid, imaginative setting appeals to those intrigued by alternative realities intertwined with modern societal issues.
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