Raising Hare: A Memoir | Chloe Dalton

Raising Hare: A Memoir

by Chloe Dalton

New York Times Bestseller | Finalist for the 2025 Women's Prize

Extended Synopsis

In Raising Hare, Chloe Dalton delivers a philosophical masterpiece that explores the delicate boundary between domesticity and the wild. While living in the deep English countryside during the 2021 lockdown, Dalton—a high-stakes political advisor and speechwriter—stumbles upon an orphaned leveret. What begins as a desperate attempt to save a fragile life from the brink of starvation and shock evolves into a profound, multi-year companionship.

Unlike the domestic rabbit, the wild hare is a creature of the open fields, often succumbing to the stress of confinement. Dalton’s memoir chronicles the trial-and-error process of rearing the leveret with the constant intention of release. However, the hare chooses a middle path: wandering the woods at night yet returning to Dalton’s home by day. Weaving together personal narrative with a deep dive into the historical, folkloric, and artistic significance of hares, Dalton ruminates on the nature of love—realizing that to truly love a wild thing is to accept the risk of its departure every single day.

Reader Targeting

• Memoir Enthusiasts: Readers who appreciate lyrical, introspective stories about transformative life experiences.
• Nature & Wildlife Lovers: Anyone fascinated by the behaviors of British wildlife and the history of animals in folklore.
• Philosophical Readers: Fans of authors like Matt Haig who enjoy ruminations on our place within the natural world.

Accolades & Awards

• New York Times Bestseller.
• Finalist for the 2025 Women's Prize.
• Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times, The Economist, and ELLE.
• Called a "philosophical masterpiece" by author Matt Haig.

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