Once When We Were Human is a surreal, highly metaphorical dystopian novella that explores total state control, the erasure of freedom, and the tragic consequences of societal apathy. Set in an alternate reality where a ruling class of “Wolves” has subjugated the general populous of “Dogs,” the narrative charts a chilling devolution. It acts as a powerful allegory for human history, specifically touching upon totalitarian regime tactics, social classification, and the systematic pacification of the working class through a curated “carnival of desires”

Swan utilizes a unique anthropomorphic framework to evoke the psychological weight of a classic Orwellian dystopia. The prose reads with a distinct blend of dark satire, psychological tension, and creeping dread. This book is an excellent match for readers who appreciate speculative dystopian fiction, sociopolitical allegories, and psychological thrillers in the vein of 1984, Brave New World, or Animal Farm.