After being threatened by a dog with a killer instinct, a couple from the City (Darm and Evo) are trapped for the night in a gentrified farmhouse after their neighbors appear to have declared war against on them. Throughout the evening, they cope by painting, writing, playing the piano, having moments of intimacy and comedic bickering that are juxtaposed with moments of violence, hatred, fear, and the possibility of death. A thoughtful commentary on America's prejudice and divisions, this gripping thriller is filled with symbolism and is perfect for anyone interested in dissecting a novel for all its hidden meanings, as well as those who, like Darm and Evo, seek acceptance and inclusion in a society that thrives on fear, hate, and political divide.The novel distills the widespread divisions in this country into one couple and shows how quickly it becomes "us versus them". As soon as the real or imagined war starts, the couple begins brainstorming the reason behind it, and a series of binaries are immediately created: city vs village, educated vs uneducated, normal vs different, bent vs straight. Quickly, this division turns to fear, which turns to violence, which may or may not lead to a new civil war. In the end, the couple shows itself prepared to pay back in kind the wounds that they have received, thus leading a never-ending cycle of prejudice and violence, a situation that seems to ring true to our political climate. Dog Bites Man ends with a call to action as Darm recites his latest poem in a direct address to the reader, thereby forcing us to grapple with the thought that "You think it can't happen to you? Think again! It already has." Yet, the ability to create and exist is a right that can never be taken away.
