David Waltner-Toews, emeritný profesor na Univerzite v Guelph a zakladajúci prezident organizácie Veterinári bez hraníc-Kanada, sa špecializuje na choroby, ktoré sa prenášajú zo zvierat na ľudí. Jeho práca, ktorá vychádza z jeho odborných znalostí veterinárneho epidemiológa, skúma prepojenie medzi ľudským zdravím a ekosystémami. Waltner-Toews sa vo svojej literárnej tvorbe, ktorá zahŕňa poéziu, beletriu a populárno-náučnú literatúru, často venuje témam súvisiacim so zdravím zvierat, globálnymi zdravotnými krízami a vzťahmi medzi ľuďmi a prírodou. Jeho prístup spája vedeckú dôslednosť s prenikavým postrehom a zdôrazňuje vzájomnú závislosť života na Zemi.
The narrative centers around Tante Tina, a vibrant stage and poetic persona, who brings to life the stories of the author's mother and her sister. Set against the backdrop of their experiences in Canada after fleeing Ukraine in 1926, the book explores themes of resilience, cultural identity, and the immigrant experience. Through Tante Tina's lens, readers are invited to connect with personal histories and the rich tapestry of life shaped by displacement and adaptation.
Set against the backdrop of Saskatoon, Canada, the story follows veterinarian Abner Dueck, who returns home after his expulsion from Indonesia. As he navigates the complexities of his profession, he becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious events, including a reckless shooting at a clinic and the discovery of a butcher's frozen body near a cattle farm hiding dark secrets. The narrative explores themes of responsibility and the often-blurred lines between personal and professional dilemmas in the veterinary world.