English Animals

'A joy to read' Amanda Craig

'Shades of Cold Comfort Farm...Charming' Guardian

ENGLISH ANIMALS is a subversive, wry debut that fans of Marina Lewycka's A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian will love.

When Mirka gets a job in a country house in rural England, she has no idea of the struggle she faces to make sense of a very English couple, and a way of life that is entirely alien to her. Richard and Sophie are chaotic, drunken, frequently outrageous but also warm, generous and kind to Mirka, despite their argumentative and turbulent marriage.

Mirka is swiftly commandeered by Richard for his latest money-making enterprise, taxidermy, and soon surpasses him in skill. After a traumatic break two years ago with her family in Slovakia, Mirka finds to her surprise that she is happy at Fairmont Hall. But when she tells Sophie that she is gay, everything she values is put in danger and she must learn the hard way what she really believes in.

Long-listed for International Dublin Literary Award 2019 (UK)

“It's a long time since I've enjoyed any debut novel as much as English Animals . Its command of tone, narrative and character is so assured, and both its wit and perceptiveness about a certain kind of English life make it a joy to read. I am sure it will win several prizes.I loved the taxidermy ideas and details, and how beautifully they chimed with the human animal scenes presented. The dreadful marriage, the horrific father and above all Mirka herself with her courageous honesty and kindness make this something very special - Amanda CraigKaye offers an engrossing look at the English countryside, complex in friendship, love, violence and with a touch of mystery. Chronicling a Slovakian immigrant's story in the UK, English Animals is an important novel in an uncertain time . Don't be fooled by the spare, quiet prose; Kaye and her characters will do cartwheels over your expectations - Sara Novic, author of Girl At War[A] confident novel that engages with love, belonging, prejudice and, above all, quintessential Englishness - Daily MailShades of Cold Comfort Farm . . . Kaye has a keen eye for social observation . . . charming - Observer”

It's a long time since I've enjoyed any debut novel as much as English Animals. Its command of tone, narrative and character is so assured, and both its wit and perceptiveness about a certain kind of English life make it a joy to read. I am sure it will win several prizes.

I loved the taxidermy ideas and details, and how beautifully they chimed with the human animal scenes presented. The dreadful marriage, the horrific father and above all Mirka herself with her courageous honesty and kindness make this something very special - Amanda Craig

Kaye offers an engrossing look at the English countryside, complex in friendship, love, violence and with a touch of mystery. Chronicling a Slovakian immigrant's story in the UK, English Animals is an important novel in an uncertain time. Don't be fooled by the spare, quiet prose; Kaye and her characters will do cartwheels over your expectations - Sara Novic, author of Girl At War

[A] confident novel that engages with love, belonging, prejudice and, above all, quintessential Englishness - Daily Mail

Shades of Cold Comfort Farm . . . Kaye has a keen eye for social observation . . . charming - Observer

Laura Kaye grew up in rural Oxfordshire and lives in London. This is her first book.

When Mirka gets a job in a country house in rural England, she has no idea of the struggle she faces to make sense of a very English couple. Richard and Sophie are chaotic, drunken, frequently outrageous but also warm, generous and kind to Mirka. Swiftly commandeered by Richard for his latest money-making enterprise, taxidermy, Mirka soon surpasses him in skill. After a traumatic break two years ago with her family in Slovakia, she finds to her surprise that she is happy at Fairmont Hall. But when she feels herself falling for Sophie, everything she values is put in danger and she must learn the hard way what she really believes in. 'Its wit and perceptiveness about a certain kind of English life make it a joy to read' Amanda Craig 'A beautiful and bold debut' M.J. Hyland 'An important novel in an uncertain time' Sara Novic '[A] wry and knowing debut' Stylist '[A] confident novel that engages with love, belonging, prejudice and, above all, quintessential Englishness' Daily Mail [thumbnail of author photo on Biblio; credit Charlie Hopkinson]

'A joy to read' Amanda Craig 'Shades of Cold Comfort Farm...Charming' Guardian ENGLISH ANIMALS is a subversive, wry debut that fans of Marina Lewycka's A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian will love. When Mirka gets a job in a country house in rural England, she has no idea of the struggle she faces to make sense of a very English couple, and a way of life that is entirely alien to her. Richard and Sophie are chaotic, drunken, frequently outrageous but also warm, generous and kind to Mirka, despite their argumentative and turbulent marriage.Mirka is swiftly commandeered by Richard for his latest money-making enterprise, taxidermy, and soon surpasses him in skill. After a traumatic break two years ago with her family in Slovakia, Mirka finds to her surprise that she is happy at Fairmont Hall. But when she tells Sophie that she is gay, everything she values is put in danger and she must learn the hard way what she really believes in.

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