David Waltner-Toews, professeur émérite à l'Université de Guelph et président fondateur de Vétérinaires sans Frontières-Canada, se spécialise dans les maladies transmises des animaux aux humains. S'appuyant sur son expertise d'épidémiologiste vétérinaire, son travail explore l'interconnexion entre la santé humaine et les écosystèmes. La production littéraire de Waltner-Toews, qui couvre la poésie, la fiction et la non-fiction, aborde fréquemment des thèmes liés à la santé animale, aux crises sanitaires mondiales et à la relation homme-nature. Son approche allie la rigueur scientifique à une observation perspicace, soulignant l'interdépendance de la vie sur Terre.
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.