"What begins as quiet infatuation quickly intensifies into an all-consuming limerence that provides the focal point of the novel. Accordingly, Deer asks how people are expected to navigate such an experience, whether attaining self-actualisation is possible in its midst, and what can help pull us through."
"Barton is perhaps best known for her 2024 translation of Japanese author Asako Yuzuki's hugely successful crime novel Butter. Deer is her first foray into book-length fiction, and by its close, she has seamlessly invoked musicology, aesthetics, linguistic theory and cultural heritage as part of the protagonist's experiences."
"It was a decision that was made quite instinctually, but I think there is something about wanting to imbue the narrative with a dream-like logic, which carries with it a sort of immediacy or universality or something."
In Polly Barton's debut novel, the unnamed protagonist's life is initially predetermined, but her journey takes unexpected turns. After moving to Frankfurt, she develops a deep infatuation with a colleague, leading to an exploration of limerence and self-actualization. The narrative intertwines themes of musicology, aesthetics, and cultural heritage, showcasing the protagonist's experiences. The novel is noted for its humor and depth, marking Barton as a significant new voice in fiction. The choice to leave characters unnamed adds a dream-like quality to the story.
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