Animal/Human connections- To what extent is this science “fiction”?

[Ashley-Osuna]

I definitely think that it is possible to communicate with animals! But I do not think it is something that everyone can do, I believe that you have to have special qualities, if that makes any sense, like being patient and loving. Obviously, we are not able to communicate as efficiently with animals since we can't do it through words, but it is definitely possible.

[Adrianna Melillo]

Human-animal interaction can be very nuanced. I think a degree of connection is a given. I know the various looks my dog gives me anf actions he displays, for instance. I can't have full-blown conversations with him, but body language goes a long way.

I wonder how you all would compare this to the conversations that silently occur amongst human groups. If you've seen the movie "Aloha," you'll know this complex communication isn't limited to just the human-to-animal variety, at least in a writer's imagination.

It wasn't explicated, but do you think the conversations getting more complex the further the team got into Zona is relevant? With the chemical enhancements in the air, there could be some foundation in the story for these extremely impressive abilities.

I definitely feel it was relevant, as it seemed like their connection slowly became deeper and deeper. Perhaps it’s similar to the females’ pregnancies, which were expected to be completed in about half the time. Since the the women’s bodies were clearly developing at a more advanced speed, perhaps all of their brains were too. Perhaps human/animal conversation is just another part of our brains that’s present, but we don’t have the ability to unlock. This certainly would have been an interesting part for the author to have fleshed out a bit more.

[Adrianna Melillo]

I definitely think that it is possible to communicate with animals! But I do not think it is something that everyone can do, I believe that you have to have special qualities, if that makes any sense, like being patient and loving. Obviously, we are not able to communicate as efficiently with animals since we can't do it through words, but it is definitely possible.

I definitely get where you’re going with this. I’ve grown up riding horses, so I see a lot of examples of riders who are able to connect with their horse, and those who are just not. I certainly think a lot of it has to do with being calm, patient, and loving. If you’re anxious, they’re anxious. So, in a sense, you’re communicating something to them that way, but likely not the message you want to give. I’ve also seen certain horses react differently (and seem more connected) to different humans based off the level of love each person gives them.

[AvidBibliophile]

Agreed. I personally had a deep connection with my dogs. Especially when it comes to our emotions. A person could be feeling sad and their pet picks up on their mood and tries to offer comfort. It is a beautiful connection to have. It definitely exists in real life.

I've experienced much of the same, so I echo your sentiments in every regard! My dog has been my best friend for 10 years, and in some ways, she probably knows me better than most. Unspoken connections between (wo)man and beast are undeniably real, so Grant's dire wolf connection seems plausible in this setting.

[NetMassimo]

I interpreted the development of that communication as the novel's science fiction element. I mean, humans and animals were actually talking to each other, it wasn't the kind of basic communication you can actually have with some species.

[Vic Chimezie]

I have seen documentaries where humans communicate on a weird level with even the wildest of animals. That of this book is on another level weird altogether which I find fascinating. The communication is possible, I think.

[Gabrielle Sigaki]

Indeed the communication between humans and animals is something that exists. Dogs and cats seem to be able to understand how humans are feeling. However, it isn't something with straight dialogues. I think that sometimes, the communication between them was believable, but in others, it was very exaggerated.

[Priyanka2304]

I think it was the author's style of introducing some spin to his story. Many authors exaggerate the fantasies way beyond realism to keep the readers thinking.

[Dunamis_James]

Animals do understand basic human language and more if they are really trained. It would have been fantasy if Shadow talked back to Grant.

[Angatia]

Despite the fact that I like fiction, some parts of their communications were really telling! It's easier for animals to understand human beings than the other way round.

[Angatia]

I concur with Leen282 on matters of communication. Communication encompasses different aspects, one of them being body language.

[Honest-reviewer]

Fictional books can be quite unrealistic at times. Anything can happen! So I think even this is possible in such stories.

[Honey1495]

Non verbal communication between humans and animals is not unheard of. The stronger the connection with the animal, the better a human can project their feelings and influence an animal's response. I have seen it happen with dogs and cats. But a full on dialogue is a stretch of reality in my opinion. Then again fiction allows liberty to bend reality.

[Nancy77]

I do believe that human to animal communication is possible based on the level of connection. I haven't encountered communication through speech though. The conversations between Grant and Shadow at the very beginning are interesting but towards the end I found myself wondering how possible that could be. It's a beautiful fantasy nonetheless, that such a connection can be achieved.

[Angatia]

Over time we've seen different gifted souls in the world. This makes me feel like Grant's case had some particles related in the "gifted" world.