Natural History

"The skill with which the author manipulates the narrative, revealing its developments only by degrees, is what gives this sharply observed any suspenseful novel its edge -- so that when the shocking climax takes place, it is both entirely unexpected and frighteningly plausible" The Times 11/10 "Powerfully intelligent... the frightening permeability of borders (between the bestial and the human, between the claims of familial and species obligation) lies at the centre of this complex and troubling book... Compressed lyricism generates sudden shifts between transitory events and durable historical patterns, Cross's novel is serious and compelling in equal measure' Guardian 13/09 'Taut domestic intrigue, sprung with mistrust and the menacing stealth of hunting. His plot is sinuous... A subtle interplay of anxieties and tolerances that keep parental treacheries in glaring focus' FT 6/9 "I'm a big fan of this author and particularly of this menacing novel, which on the surface could be a family drama but turns into something very nasty indeed. It's clever, tense and chilling. Highly recommended." Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller 'Dark and densely plotted...the plot reaches a violent climax, challenging notions of guilt and the limits of parental responsibility' DAILY MAIL 10/08/08 "A masterpiece... seductively readable, no matter how much one dreads what may happen next... mercilessly realistic... This is a dangerous novel. Everyone in it has a lot to worry about" Daily Telegraph 'Cross wrote movingly of parental treachery in his last book, the terse memoir, HEARTLAND, and he infuses this new novel with his own heritage of anxieties and tolerances ... Both fierce and poignant in wrapping up the habitat and hunting themes, it poses uncomfortable questions about personal and family responsibility' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Neil Cross builds the tension in this fiendishly taut novel ... As events mount to a genuinely shocking climax, Cross asks uncomfortable questions about the differences between being human and having humanity. In this disturbing book, beasts are not always clad in fur' Four stars, Tina Jackson, METRO 23/8 'Intelligent, brilliantly-written, fascinating ... the exquisite tension that Cross's sharp, devastating prose builds, leads to a climax so shocking it will leave you flabbergasted' THE CRACK 'Neil Cross is an astonishing writer - tautly lyrical, and able at a stroke to fill you with cold, dark fear of the malign forces at large in the world ... its horrible climax will stay with you for a long time' Time Out London 'Blurring the line between human and animal sympathies, this is written with such authenticity you can practically smell the chimp excrement' ARENA, September 'There are moments during Neil Cross's fifth novel when the sense of foreboding is so strong that you half-expect to find cobwebs between the pages ... The expertly delivered shocks may stay with you for a few days, but there's something meatier and more fetid hidden that will walk behind you for considerably longer' THE TIMES 25/8 'Suddenly it becomes clear that the whole book has been a study of criminal behaviour by a psychopath and only on a second reading does every seemingly innocent incident shout its awful warning. Highly recommended' Literary Review August 'Cross's novel is in part about the crisis of faith of an atheist' Independent on Sunday 19/8 'Neil Cross ratchets up the tension in Natural History, with a big cat stalking the animal sanctuary that was meant to save Jane and Patrick's marriage. When Jane goes on a a field trip, Patrick is left alone with his fears - and then the events of one terrible night force him to face their son's true nature' Waterstone's Books Quarterly, August 'This unnerving literary thriller from the author of Always the Sun explores every parent's worst nightmare. If you thought Kevin was bad in lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk About Kevin, wait until you get a load of Patrick and Jane's offspring...' BELLA 28 Aug 07 'THIS WEEK WE'RE... Raving to everyone about Neil Cross's new novel Natural History, about life, love and death at a failing wildlife park. If nothing else, it's worth reading for Cross's description of the park's customers as "ice-cream-smeared, wasp-bombed, Brut-smelling. We plan to use the phrase "wasp-bombed" at every opportunity. Though admittedly that's not been too often this summer' The Herald (Glasgow) 25/8 'The sudden violence of his denouement is long anticipated but unexpected in it visceral detail. Both fierce and poignant in wrapping up the habitat and hunting themes, it poses uncomfortable questions about personal and family responsibility' Sunday Telegraph 16/9 'The unflinching sequence of events that follow, and the exquisite tension that Cross's sharp devastating prose build, leads to a climax so shocking it will leave you flabbergasted' The Crack, September issue 'No one likes a punning title more than I do, so I had a great deal of pleasure working out the various meanings for this. And then I enjoyed another mental game: how on earth will bookshop staff and librarians work out which shelf to put it on. Because although it contains violence and murder, it's not a crime novel. And although it's full of astronomy and sightings of weird creatures, it's not sci-fi. So what I'd suggest is that you read it and work it out for yourself' Shots Mag, September issue 'This powerfully intelligent novel ...is serious and compelling in equal measure' Guardian 13/9 'The skill with which the author manipulates the narrative, revealing its developments only by degrees, is what gives this sharply observed any suspenseful novel its edge -- so that when the shocking climax takes place, it is both entirely unexpected and frighteningly plausible' The Times 11/10 'Natural History...is creepy but believable, managing that rare feat: a thriller ending that doesn't disappoint...Burial is terrific too.' London Lite, 16/12