As kids, it’s pretty common to read books with nonhuman protagonists. But as we grow, stories tend to be more about human protagonists, with maybe an animal sidekick here and there.
Plenty of nonhuman characters have captured our imaginations, whether they’re animals, mythical creatures, aliens, and so on. The stories they feature in provide unique experiences as they explore beyond human perspectives.
Books with Nonhuman Protagonists
Below are some books with nonhuman protagonists that provide fresh points of view on the world and beyond.
1. The Plague Dogs by Richard Adams
Two dogs, Rowf and Snitter, escape from an animal testing facility where they are routinely mistreated. They befriend a red fox, who teaches them how to survive. However, after being falsely reported as plague-carrying man-eaters, they soon find themselves the target of a dog hunt.
2. The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells
Moon is a Raksura—a humanoid able to shapeshift into a powerful winged form. Unaware of his heritage, he has spent his life hiding what he is and trying to blend in with various tribes unfit for him.
His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Stone, another Raksura who invites him to join their court. But Moon’s arrival tips a precarious balance within Raksura society, which faces extinction from the dreaded Fell.
3. Stuart Little by E.B White
Stuart is born to a family of humans. He is normal in every way but is only just over two inches tall and looks like a mouse. Though the family is concerned, Stuart quickly proves himself a smart and resourceful child.
When his best friend Margalo, a songbird, disappears, Stuart leaves home for the first time to search for her. He travels from adventure to adventure as he explores the gigantic world around him.
4. The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hero Arikawa
Nana is a stray cat with a crooked tail which signifies good fortune. Taken in by Satoru, the pair travel across Japan through its changing seasons and meet up with Satoru’s old friends.
But the reunions are not the only reason for their road trip, but Satoru refuses to say more. And when Nana eventually learns why, his loyalty and courage will be tested to their limits.
5. The Bees by Laline Paull
Flora 717 isn’t like the other bees. While the rest of the hive work and sacrifice themselves for the Queen, her curious nature is considered a flaw. But when she dares question the Queen’s fertility, she is set on a path against the society she has long cared for.
6. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
After her husband’s death, Tova Sullivan begins working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. It’s a way to keep busy, something she’s done ever since her son’s disappearance over thirty years ago.
There, she befriends Marcellus, a smart but grumpy giant Pacific octopus. He deduces what happened to Tova’s son all those years ago and decides to help her find the truth.
7. Bodyguard Of Lightning by Stan Nicholls
Stryke is captain of the Wolverines—fierce and honorable orcs under the banner of Queen Jennesta. They are tasked to retrieve a stolen artifact, one that will solidify their master’s quest for dominance.
However, during the mission, Stryke and his orcs begin to question their servitude to a tyrannical ruler. Rebelling, they instead search for the artifact for themselves, hoping to use it for a greater good.
8. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
A team of scientists conducts research on an alien planet, escorted by a Company-required security droid. Unknown to them, the droid has become self-aware, calling itself “Murderbot”.
All it wants is to be left alone. But when the mission goes awry, Murderbot must decide whether to help the scientists get to the truth.
9. West of Eden by Harry Harrison
What if the cataclysmic event from sixty-five million years ago never happened, allowing dinosaurs to further evolve and develop sentience? Descended from mosasaurs, the Yilanè are the dominant and advanced life form on the planet.
Their eventual discovery of the American continents leads them to the Tanu, barely sentient humanoids that evolved from New World monkeys. The two are soon in a state of war, with survival and the continents at stake.
10. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
Tao is a Quasing, a race that crashlanded on Earth long before life crawled out of the oceans. Only able to survive by hitching a ride in a living being, he enters the brain of Roen Tan, an out-of-shape and weak-willed IT technician.
The Quasing, split into two factions and locked in a centuries-long civil war, are looking for a way out of the planet. Thrust into this war, Tao must guide Roen into becoming a skilled operative—not only to end the war but to save humanity from becoming collateral.
11. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
In a world where major cities gain sentience through human avatars, the avatar of New York falls into a coma and disappears. Five new avatars appear, representing the city’s five boroughs. They come together to fight the Enemy, an infectious entity who wants to take over the city.
12. Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
The Greek gods have fallen far from Olympus. Now, in the 21st century, the Olympians live together in a cramped London townhouse. Not only are they unhappy with their living situation but now they even have to get jobs.
More disturbing though is how their powers are waning. As things escalate, two humans suddenly find themselves caught in the crossfire.
13. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
A unicorn discovers that all the other unicorns have disappeared. Believing herself the last of her kind, she leaves her forest home in search of the truth. She encounters a variety of characters, faces the threat against her kind, and experiences what it’s like being human.
What other books with nonhuman protagonists have you read? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Zoomorphism: Assigning Animal Traits To Non-animals
- Anthropomorphism: Assigning Human Traits To Non-humans
- 12 Children’s Books with Animal Characters
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
