Can a person truly experience love for an octopus?

While money initially drives Neffy’s decision to participate in the trial, her experiences and emotional connection to an octopus at the aquarium reveal deeper motivations. The novel explores the possibility of falling in love with such a creature and the ethical dilemmas faced by marine biologists and aquarists. These insights add complexity to Neffy’s character and her decisions throughout the story.

Through mysterious letters addressed to “H,” composed during her confinement, Neffy reveals her past and intertwines it with the relationships among the trial participants. As the virus mutates and the situation becomes dire, Neffy, who has both the vaccine and the virus, must navigate complex dynamics and hidden knowledge among her fellow volunteers.

Amidst the chaos, Neffy emerges as the only remaining vaccinated individual. The surviving volunteers rely on her presumed immunity to procure necessary supplies and potentially produce immune children, highlighting themes of survival, trust, and hope. The story draws parallels to “Lord of the Flies” and “Breakfast Club,” exploring the dynamics and character development in an extreme, isolated situation.

Claire Fuller skillfully weaves together familiar post-pandemic and isolation tropes with a fresh and promising narrative. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about human behavior in the face of potential extinction. Fuller’s writing showcases her generous character and storytelling prowess, leaving readers captivated until the final moments.

Ellen Akins is the author of four novels and a collection of stories, “World Like a Knife.”

Tin House. 277 pp. $27.95