WOW Recommends: The Eyes and the Impossible

A coyote runs through a lush forest.The Eyes and The Impossible by Dave Eggers is the story of Johannes, an independent stray dog that lives in the park eating the delicious food left by picnickers on the ground or in trash receptacles across his daily route of surveillance. He is, after all, the “eyes” of the park, informing the other nonhuman inhabitants who share the park with him of the changes he notes or of issues of which they should be informed. In many ways, Johannes is the caretaker of those with whom he shares his life.

For the most part, Johannes lives a wonderful life with all manner of possibilities. He runs fast, oh so fast, and sees, yes, sees so much, sees everything, of which he is the first to let the reader know. He reports his findings to the three buffalo who are the oldest and wisest of the inhabitants of the park. Johannes also accepts those around him. He appreciates them and councils with them, and only occasionally disparages the ducks, who seem to be not quite connected to, or concerned with, the rest of the world around them.

In essence, Johannes is a wonderful protagonist with characteristics to admire in any creature—dog, squirrel, bird, or if we are willing, a human being. He is sharp, he sees keenly, and he is always on alert. Until one day when he isn’t. That is the day he discovers art.

As a new building is being erected–an art museum–on the grounds of the park, things begin to change for Johannes and the others within his care. Johannes is fascinated by the posters of artifacts that will find a home within the museum, and his fascination takes hold of his imagination. As he considers the images before him, he is approachable, and this brings him to the attention of the humans who oversee the park as well as the patrons who visit. Suddenly, Johannes is in the limelight and determined to be a coyote. His image is on posters everywhere, and thus his days of freedom that he led before have become smaller; his life is limited, and his ability to roam at will becomes limited. But this doesn’t stop him from attending to the “impossible,” a plan to liberate the buffalo from their enclosure so they might be free. Enlisting the help of many others, Johannes easily convinces them that the buffalo should and can be free. It will take daring and courage and precise timing, with all, except the ducks, doing their part. And as a community, they agree.

This is a wonderful narrative of loyalty, love and how a community can work together for good. It’s about leadership and commitment and how respect can create the care all within the community may need to thrive. It is also about the power of art to move us, to capture our imagination and take us on journeys we had not ever contemplated. What is particularly remarkable is the story is from the perspectives of nonhuman animals who find humans not only not helpful, but frequently obstructive to freedom, which perhaps makes them just a little bit sinister. The book is compelling in respect to the particular theme of how humans, in many ways, limit the freedom of the nonhuman animals with which they share the planet.

The Eyes and The Impossible won the Newbery for 2024 for good reason. It is beautifully written with so many profound truths to ponder including:

Every reasonable creature knows that the worst thing any creature can do all day is think of themselves. It there are troubles in your mind, you should think first of the trouble of others; it is the essence of liberation. That is, freedom begins the moment we forget ourselves (p. 127).

With sporadic paintings beautifully rendered by Shawn Harris depicting Johannes in his park, this story reminds readers that we share the planet with all types of sentient beings who may or may not appreciate human interference or intervention. In fact, the strength of the narrative comes from its suggestion that readers look at nonhuman animals with a sense of dignity, wonder, and with the reality that we perhaps we shouldn’t even get to decide how nonhuman animals think or consider the world. It asks readers to sit and consider perhaps all creatures have the right to exist on their terms.

Furthermore, the book creates opportunities for readers to consider how humans might begin the hard work of interacting with and within the world as only one of many species who are sentient and have a right to share the planet, not for our amusement, but because they exist. And perhaps, ultimately, this book allows readers to ponder how one small dog/coyote and yes, human being can be a force for freedom for and dignity toward the o/Other. It is wondrous. –Recommended by Holly Johnson, Emeritus Professor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Title: The Eyes and the Impossible
Author: Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
ISBN: 978-1524764203
PubDate: May 9, 2023
Publisher: Knopf

Each month a committee of Worlds of Words advisors recommends a book published within the last year. Our hope is to spark conversations on our website and on social media about the book that expand global understandings and perceptions. Please join us by leaving a comment. You can also share your thoughts with us by using the hashtag #WOWRecommends on social media.

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