A funny, wise and heartwarming story of a young man's first forays into love during a long, hot summer in New York City.

Henry likes to think of himself as a promising jazz musician. The truth, however, is slightly less glamorous. At 18, he's dropped out of university, lives at home with his bickering parents, and spends most of his time with the family dog. The outlook, it seems, is bleak. So when his brother offers to put him up for the summer in his New York City apartment, Henry leaps at the chance to start living the life of his dreams...

But jazz gigs are not immediately forthcoming so Henry lands a job at the Central Park Children's Zoo. Over weeks spent chopping vegetables and shovelling dung, his world gradually expands to include a motley crew of zoo keepers, doormen and animals of every description. Amongst these, the undisputed star is Newman, the zoo's stoic Nubian goat, in whom Henry confides his growing love for Margaret, the girl upstairs, like him in town for the summer. As the months unfolds in a haze of jazz bars, ill-advised romance and hard truths about family, Henry learns what what it is to love - and to lose - in this hilarious, inventive and touching debut novel.

About the Author

Ben Dolnick was born in 1982 and grew up outside of Washington, D.C. He now lives in New York. This is his first novel.

Reviews

'Ben Dolnick is a writer of incredible sensitivity. "Zoology" explores the tricky journey to adulthood with honesty, humour, and generosity.' Jonathan Safran Foer

'As a writer, Dolnick...demonstrates an engaging lightness of touch.' The New Yorker

'Ben Dolnick, has written a delightful post-ironic novel...The story is simple, sad, sweet and funny - and saved from sentimentality by a streak of cold-eyed honesty about the ubiquity of human failings.' New York Observer

'Tightly written.' Independent on Sunday

'The transition from childhood to the adult world remains as rich a vein for writers as it was when Holden Caulfield first wandered around New York...Dolnick gives his narrator a struggling, wry voice that carries the tale.' The New York Times

'Disarming and funny.' Guardian

'Dolnick...is evidently writing about familiar territory. He handles his character's feelings with sensitivity...It's a sweet tale of middle class angst.' Financial Times

'A gripping debut novel.' Harper's Bazaar

Book Information
ISBN 9780007250394
Author Ben Dolnick
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint HarperPerennial
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 215g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 19mm