The Constant Rabbit, by Jasper Fforde

An anthropomorphising Event fifty-odd years ago has given several species human characteristics, with more than a million enhanced rabbits now living in Britain. A radical right-wing government is constantly eroding rabbit rights and demonising the species, generating hate and rabid anti-rabbit policies. Peter Knox is a spotter with the Rabbit Compliance Taskforce. He is a kind of everyman who is not on board with the fascists, but does little to resist them or to be an ally to the oppressed. When an old University acquaintance re-enters his life, Peter is forced to open his eyes to the reality of the work he does and the society he benefits from. He finds he must choose a side and decide once and for all whether or not to be a good human. This absurdist tale often goes well beyond farce, but also hammers home multiple points about prejudice, ’othering’ and exclusion – all wrapped up in the form of toxic humanity. Another Event conveniently winds up the story, but it is almost anti-climactic and feels like something of a cop out.