Mas não se matam cavalos?

The novel's bleak atmosphere really immerses the reader in the characters' struggles. I'm curious what inspired the author to focus on this era's darker side.

The story's tension is so intense that I kept wondering how much of their desperation is a reflection of society or human nature itself.

The phrase 'They Shoot Horses, Don't They?' feels symbolic, but I’d love to hear interpretations of its deeper meaning within the novel.