Daniel Wiles's second novel, The Puma, delves into the cyclical violence that haunts a father-son duo across generations and continents. The story centers around Bernardo, a complex and morally ambiguous figure who, with his young son James, attempts to break free from a cycle of trauma. Their journey begins in Patagonia, where Bernardo grew up, but they soon find themselves torn between the wilderness and the urban jungle of Liverpool and France.
Wiles masterfully weaves together past and present, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, as Bernardo's dark past slowly unravels. The novel is a visceral portrayal of violence, both physical and emotional, that leaves an indelible mark on its characters. As Bernardo becomes increasingly consumed by his obsession with hunting a puma, the boundaries between human and animal begin to blur.
The author's exploration of 20th-century masculinity raises important questions about the displacement of hurt onto the natural world. The parallels drawn between colonial destruction and indigenous livelihoods serve as a scathing critique of capitalist values that prioritize profit over people and the planet. However, some may find the novel straying into an escapist fantasy, where Bernardo's transformation into a "new person" feels more like a marketing gimmick than a genuine exploration of trauma.
Despite this, Wiles's writing remains stylishly evocative, with prose that is both precise and poetic. The voice of The Puma may not be as distinct or nuanced as its predecessor, Mercia's Take, but it still conveys the author's sincere ambition to explore marginalized histories through affecting storytelling. Ultimately, The Puma is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page has been turned, leaving readers with a lasting impression of the devastating consequences of unchecked violence and trauma.
Wiles masterfully weaves together past and present, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, as Bernardo's dark past slowly unravels. The novel is a visceral portrayal of violence, both physical and emotional, that leaves an indelible mark on its characters. As Bernardo becomes increasingly consumed by his obsession with hunting a puma, the boundaries between human and animal begin to blur.
The author's exploration of 20th-century masculinity raises important questions about the displacement of hurt onto the natural world. The parallels drawn between colonial destruction and indigenous livelihoods serve as a scathing critique of capitalist values that prioritize profit over people and the planet. However, some may find the novel straying into an escapist fantasy, where Bernardo's transformation into a "new person" feels more like a marketing gimmick than a genuine exploration of trauma.
Despite this, Wiles's writing remains stylishly evocative, with prose that is both precise and poetic. The voice of The Puma may not be as distinct or nuanced as its predecessor, Mercia's Take, but it still conveys the author's sincere ambition to explore marginalized histories through affecting storytelling. Ultimately, The Puma is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that lingers long after the final page has been turned, leaving readers with a lasting impression of the devastating consequences of unchecked violence and trauma.
! As a parent, it's hard to read about characters dealing with such intense trauma and violence without feeling like you've been punched in the gut 
. But what struck me most was how the author explores the concept of masculinity and how it relates to our society. It's so important for us as parents to have these conversations with our kids, but it can be tough to navigate.
. As a parent, I'm always trying to teach my kids about empathy and understanding, and this book does just that in a powerful way.
. But as parents, we know that healing from trauma takes time, effort, and patience. Maybe that's what makes The Puma such a powerful read: it challenges us to confront our own assumptions about violence and masculinity 
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: 2025 is expected to be the hottest year on record globally, with temperatures projected to reach an all-time high of 4.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels 
. It's like, we knew this was coming, but still can't believe we're at this point in humanity 
but at the same time, i can see why some people might find it a bit escapist? like, bernardo's transformation does feel kinda convenient 
... still tho, the way Wiles weaves together past and present is pure magic 
... this book left me thinking long after i finished reading it, that's for sure 
It sounds like it's going to be an emotional rollercoaster, exploring themes of trauma, colonialism, and masculinity in a way that's both thought-provoking and visceral. I love how the author weaves together past and present to create this complex web of stories, and Bernardo's character is already sounding super intriguing. The blurring of lines between human and animal is such an interesting concept, and I'm curious to see where Wiles takes it. Can't wait to dive in and find out more about Bernardo's journey and the devastating consequences of unchecked violence 
it's like you're right there with them, walking through the Patagonian wilderness or navigating the streets of Liverpool. The writing is stunning - Wiles has this incredible ability to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, making it impossible to look away from Bernardo's downward spiral 
. And let's talk about that critique of capitalist values... it's like he's holding up a mirror to our society, forcing us to confront the harm we've caused 
but for me, it was the perfect ending to an already thought-provoking novel 
The way he explores the cyclical nature of violence is so mind-blowing, it's like something out of a Jordan Peele film 
But what really gets me is how he tackles 20th-century masculinity and the displacement of hurt onto the natural world. It's like, Bernardo's obsession with hunting the puma is this metaphor for the trauma he's trying to escape... anyway, Wiles's writing is so evocative, it feels like you're right there in Patagonia with him 
. But I guess if you're into that whole "exploring marginalized histories" thing, then this might be the book for you 
. Still, it's all a bit too predictable for my taste 
. Some might say Bernardo's transformation feels a bit too convenient, but for me, that's what makes his journey so powerful 
. The writing is gorgeous, with prose that's both precise and poetic 
. Can't wait to dive into more of his work! 
. Still, the writing's super polished and it's clear Wiles is coming from a place of sincerity. The only thing that really gets my goat is how the book's laid out on the forum – it's all over the place! Can't they organize their news in some kind of sensible order? 
. It's like we think animals are just like us, but without all the emotions 
. The way Wiles tackles this is super thought-provoking... it makes you wonder if Bernardo's journey is more about self-discovery or just a way to avoid dealing with his past trauma 
. And can we talk about how colonialism and capitalism are still major issues today? It feels like we're not making enough progress on addressing those systemic problems... anyway, I'd say The Puma is definitely a page-turner 
The way he explores the theme of masculinity and its connection to violence is so timely and important 
I can see why some people might think it's an escapist fantasy, but for me it was like Wiles was tapping into something deeper and more meaningful 
his writing style is so beautiful and evocative, it really drew me in 
. and what's up with bernardo's obsession with hunting a puma? feels like it's supposed to be some deep commentary on colonialism or something but honestly i'm not entirely sure 
. just don't expect me to go out of my way to recommend this book to anyone 
. but what really got me was how he tackles themes of masculinity and colonialism... it's like, Bernardo's journey isn't just about him, it's about all these systemic issues that are perpetuated by our society 
. overall, I'd say The Puma is a must-read for anyone interested in stories that really make you think 
! The way he explores the cyclical violence between generations is SO deep and relatable 
. It's so true what Wiles says about colonial destruction and capitalist values 
!
. However, I'd argue that Bernardo's journey towards healing and redemption feels more grounded than initially suggested by some reviewers 
. The theme of masculinity and colonial destruction really resonates with me 
. However, I agree that some parts feel a bit escapist, like Bernardo's transformation feels more like a cliché than a genuine journey towards healing 
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