The Last Family In England - Softcover

Haig, Matt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 009946845X ISBN 13: 9780099468455

Publisher: Vintage, 2005

Synopsis

By the author of Reasons to Stay Alive

Meet the Hunter family: Adam, Kate, and their children Hal and Charlotte. And Prince, their black Labrador.

Prince is an earnest young dog, striving hard to live up to the tenets of the Labrador Pact (Remain Loyal to Your Human Masters, Serve and Protect Your Family at Any Cost). Other dogs, led by the Springer Spaniels, have revolted. Their slogans are 'Dogs for Dogs, not for Humans' and 'Pleasure not Duty'. Mentored by an elderly Labrador called Henry, Prince takes his responsibilities seriously, and as things in the Hunter family begin to go badly awry - marital breakdown, rowdy teenage parties, attempted suicide - his responsibilities threaten to overwhelm him. And down in the park it's even worse: Henry has disappeared; Falstaff the Springer Spaniel wants to lead Prince astray; Joyce the Irish wolfhound has been murdered. In the end Prince is forced to break the Labrador Pact and take desperate action to save his Family.

About this title

Review:

"Normally, if a book makes me sad I chuck it immediately. But this book is so brilliant, I broke my own rule" (Julie Burchill)

"A comic tour de force... A desperately sad view from underneath as a family falls apart" (The Times)

"A winner from page one... A subtle, dog's-eye view of the frailty of human relationships, it is perceptive, enchanting and destined to be this summer's must read" (Mail on Sunday)

"An enchanting, albeit at times disturbing, journey into the heart of family... A remarkable book, and a brilliantly entertaining read" (Big Issue)

"It sounds kooky, but Haig pulls it off stylishly and unsentimentally" (Observer)

From the Publisher:

'I love this book. It's fabulous and moving and funny and strange. It will go down among the great animal books' Jeanette Winterson

About this edition

• Publisher: Vintage
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 009946845X
• ISBN 13: 9780099468455
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352