In Mona Awad’s most recent book, “We Love You, Bunny,” a follow-up to her popular novel “Bunny,” the protagonist Sam releases a book about the girls in her creative writing program known as the Bunnies, portraying them as villains according to Awad. The Bunnies, feeling misrepresented, kidnap Sam during her book tour and share their version of events with her.
Awad, originally from Montreal and now residing in the U.S., discussed “We Love You, Bunny” on an episode of “Bookends with Mattea Roach,” revealing that the book is shortlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize.
In this retelling, Awad delves into the individual perspectives of the Bunnies rather than presenting them as a unified group, as in the original “Bunny.” By exploring the theme of outsiderness, Awad aims to depict the universal experience of feeling like an outsider.
The choice of rabbits as a central motif in “We Love You, Bunny” stems from their mystical and mischievous nature, drawing inspiration from the Grimm fairy tale “The Hare’s Bride.” Awad sought to empower the female characters in the narrative, contrasting the traditional power dynamics in fairy tales.
The novel also examines the tensions between collective creation and individual authorship, highlighting the struggle for recognition and control over the creative process. Despite the collaborative storytelling in the book, each Bunny desires to be the protagonist of their own narrative.
Overall, the Bunnies in the story are likely dissatisfied with how their stories are portrayed, as each seeks to be the central figure in their version of events. The complexity of creation and authorship is a central theme in “We Love You, Bunny,” reflecting Awad’s exploration of loneliness and imagination in her work.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
