Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet was so engaging and easy to read yet so cleverly constructed that I am not sure I have gleaned all the layers of meaning. Gil, the protagonist, lives on inherited wealth and doesn’t have to work. When the story opens, the reader finds that he was escaping New York City after a woman left him. Online, Gil had purchased a home in Arizona, which is more like a castle, and it took months for him to walk from NYC to Arizona. Right away, Millet gives us the sense that he is interested in learning more about lifeforms and himself.
I love to ponder the title significance of a book like dinosaurs. Literally, it is not about dinosaurs but all the creatures that have inhabited the earth since their era. It is about extinction, preservation, and humanity. The title of each chapter is the name of a bird that figures metaphorically in an episode in Gil’s life. There are tangible birds in the narrative, and one of Gil’s acquaintances, Lane, is obsessed with birds. But, then, there is at least one character focused on killing birds. As in ancient works, birds provide warnings. Masterfully, Millet conveys her concerns about wildlife through the characters’ actions and sometimes paradoxical views.
In addition to the concerns about the landscape and creatures, Gil’s relationships with other humans provide thoughtful considerations. I wondered throughout the book whether Gil’s inherent kindness and goodness were some traits we should preserve from extinction. For example, his neighbors have a glass house, and he can readily view the lives of Ardis, a psychotherapist, her husband Ted, who funds infrastructure projects in Asia, and their two children, Tom and Clem. Moreover, Gil is comfortable in roles that some might view with misgivings. For instance, he becomes Tom’s playmate and substitute parent during the summer and frequently has him over to his home. Additionally, Gill volunteers at a shelter for abused women, playing the role of a “good male.” The narrative delves into male and female roles in ever so subtle ways. Also, through some metaphors and human communication, the reader ponders whether humans should mate for life the way roadrunners, members of the cuckoo family, do. Again, I admire the richness and depth in the author’s choice of birds and words.
Other topics and themes include cowardice, depression, self-pity, and bullying. Then, there are environmental themes such as reckless hunting and regular recycling. There are also allusions to social engineering, online dating, philanthropy, and questions about whether throwing money at societal problems is worthwhile. These timely interpersonal and global concepts come to light through Gil’s flashbacks, his visits to friends in NYC, and his budding relationships with people in Arizona. I believe this is a book where each reader’s takeaways will vary, and this speaks to the genius of this author.
