Description

‘James Scudamore is now a force in the English novel’ Hilary Mantel

‘A very impressive novel’ Sarah Moss

When ten-year-old Max is sent to boarding school, his idyllic childhood comes to an abrupt end. Away from the freedom of his grandfather’s farm, a world of rules and punishment awaits. But so too does the companionship of a close-knit group of classmates.

Years later, as Max and his friends face down adulthood, a dark secret from their schooldays is revealed, drawing them together in unforeseen ways. Who knew what, and when? And who now wants to see justice done?

‘Breathtakingly good’ Observer

‘Dark, tender, troubling’ Guardian

Publisher Review

There are few prizes that Scudamore hasn't been nominated for, and English Monsters will only add to his impressive tally... Scudamore's insights are keen and his masterfully evocative writing never less than assured... His descriptions of [Max's schooldays] etch themselves into your brain * Daily Mail * The pages bubble with quiet rage about an elite education system that wrecks even those it elevates... Scudamore is here for the long haul -- John Self * Spectator * Heart-wrenching... A searing indictment of a culture that downplays and covers up horrors... Harrowing, deeply moving and richly insightful, this is Scudamore's best novel yet -- Philip Womack * Financial Times * Breathtakingly good. Imagine Edward St Aubyn writing The Secret History and you'll get an idea of how exquisite and compelling this story about male friendship and betrayal is -- Alex Preston * Observer * James Scudamore is now a force in the English novel, his voice calm and assured. English Monsters is psychologically astute as a study of collusion and denial, and effective as a picture of time and class; but it has wider reach, as a story about the limits of empathy, the ease of retribution and the difficulty of justice -- Hilary Mantel