Bunny by Mona Awad follows Samantha Mackey, a 25-year-old fiction writer seeking an MFA at Warren University, where she reluctantly joins a clique of mean girls called the Bunnies who blend cuteness, sex, and violence through magical realism, ultimately blurring the lines between art and reality in a bizarre elite academic setting. The source material references sexual misconduct and graphic depictions of animal abuse.

Mona Awad’s Bunny has received praise for its imaginative, genre-blending narrative and dark humor. While readers appreciate its unique storytelling and commentary on friendship and creativity, some found the plot confusing and characters unrelatable. Overall, it’s a polarizing, thought-provoking read that has sparked significant discussion.

Readers who enjoy Bunny by Mona Awad are likely fans of dark academia, psychological thrillers, and satirical takes on social group dynamics. They might also appreciate works like The Secret History by Donna Tartt or Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado for their blend of literary fiction with unsettling and surreal elements.

Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Contemplative / Bittersweet

- Bunny by Mona Awad was longlisted for the 2019 Scotiabank Giller Prize, which is one of Canada's most prestigious literary awards.
- Mona Awad's inspiration for the namesake group in Bunny partly came from her fascination with the dualities present in rabbit imagery, such as vulnerability and ferocity.
- The novel has been described as a unique blend of dark academia and satire, offering a critical look at the world of MFA programs and creative writing workshops.

**Samantha Heather Mackey**  
An outsider and protagonist who navigates the competitive and surreal environment of Warren University, often feeling disconnected from her surroundings and her own identity.

**The Bunnies**  
A clique of rich and beautiful graduate students whose presence at Warren University is characterized by a mix of cuteness, sexuality, and violence, making Samantha feel inferior and excluded.

**Ava**  
Samantha's best friend and foil with a strong, stable identity, who serves as a maternal figure and grounding presence in Samantha's life.

**Jonah**  
A fellow outsider among the poets at Warren University who offers friendship to Samantha, expressing an earnestness that contrasts with the Bunnies' antics.

**Max**  
An enigmatic figure with a dangerous allure, playing a complex role in both Samantha's imagination and her interactions with others around her.

**The Drafts**  
Creatures created by the Bunnies, representing various male archetypes and symbolizing the iterative creative process with their diverse forms and uncontrollable tendencies.

**Fosco (Ursula Radcliffe)**  
A creative writing professor at Warren University who is viewed by Samantha as an antagonist but also critiques the Bunnies' work, showing some depth beyond her satirical depiction.

**Silky**  
Fosco's husband and a predatory male academic at Warren University who is characterized by his inappropriate interest in the female students.

**The Lion (Alan)**  
Samantha's thesis advisor whose demeanor is less overtly predatory than Silky's, maintaining professionalism and appropriate boundaries in his interactions with students.

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