By far the best ARC I’ve read to date, this book felt like finding a small, unexpected slice of perfection. Eradication: A Fable is a mesmerizing exploration of isolation, nature, morality, and the tangled ways our past mistakes shape us. This was my first experience reading Jonathan Miles, and I can confidently say I’ll be a repeater. His prose is absolutely spellbinding: lush, reflective, and razor-sharp in its observations of both humanity and the natural world.
The story carries the introspective solitude of The Wall and the eerie, windswept atmosphere of Wild Dark Shore. Through Adi, we’re invited into a deeply personal, almost spiritual journey of reckoning and renewal. His decision to isolate himself on an island raises haunting questions: Did he come here for the good of the island, or for himself? Does his understanding of life, guilt, and purpose evolve by the end? I found myself rooting for him the entire way, drawn into the beauty and unease of his surroundings and the fragile life of the island’s goats that come to symbolize so much more.
This book was also incredibly unique and kept me wanting more with every chapter. I loved the vivid idea of thousands of goats roaming the island—both haunting and strangely beautiful. At first, it seems simple: remove what’s invasive. But as Adi names and knows these creatures, the lines blur. Who truly belongs? Do humans ever bring balance to nature, or only harm? Can we change?
This novel made me pause and look inward, challenging my own beliefs about goodness, forgiveness, and the quiet ways we can make peace with the past. Eradication: A Fable is timely, profound, and achingly human—a story that reminds us to stand firm in what’s right, to listen to the earth, and to always try to do better.
A stunning and unforgettable read I’ll be recommending to absolutely everyone!
Huge thanks to @NetGalley and the publisher for letting me discover this beautiful, thought-provoking story early—it was truly a gift to read. I can’t wait to talk about this more after publishing date of 2.10.26!