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.
Industry 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 '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 'A quintessential bildungsroman!"Zoology" is a book that drips with the nostalgia of people's early twenties: the soul searching, the thinking and feeling deeply about things, and the falling in love!The story is easy and charming, as is Dolnick's language and insights into Henry's particular corner of the world, family and soul!This summer story feels like the good kind of forever.' Time Out Chicago 'The appeal of Ben Dolnick's "Zoology" is in the narrator's voice. Henry Elinsky is authentically adolescent -- likable, funny, irritating, self-doubting, self-obsessed!Dolnick is a talented writer whose understated style is a pleasure to read. He has made Henry an exceptionally sensitive and observant character.' Boston Globe 'Charming!A light bildungsroman about shoveling goat poop and growing up!Dolnick can capture in one surprisingly lucid phrase the essence of a situation.' Publisher's Weekly 'An exciting, confident, and thoroughly endearing debut. Dolnick writes with a maturity that belies his years, and "Zoology" -- distinguished by a rare combination of narrative patience and instinctive kindness -- is a real cause for celebration.' George Saunders, author of 'In Persuasion Nation' 'I love "Zoology". Ben Dolnick's narrator, Henry, is painfully familiar to those of us who have done some serious stumbling along life's road, and he is as engaging and interesting a character as I've come across in a long, long time. Best of all, he makes me laugh out loud. "Zoology" is a sad, hilarious, wonderful book.' Abigail Thomas, author of 'A Three Dog Life' 'Ben Dolnick's "Zoology" is a bright, sweet, sad, fresh, and funny novel, very honest and ultimately quite moving.' Gabriel Brownstein, author of 'The Man from Beyond' '"Zoology" is a wonderful first novel. It shines a light on that tricky time when you are trying to get a life, own it, make it yours. Ben Dolnick is as funny as he is wise, as honest as he is charming -- and he has won me over entirely.' Laura Dave, author of 'London is the Best City in America' 'An exceptionally sensory author, Dolnick is one for whom the smells and the shapes of the world take center stage, a diarist collecting moments to be pored over!"Zoology" presents a portrait of a young man yearning to journey into adulthood through fields of thorny and fragile emotions the size of Jovian gas giants. His turns of phrase!fall like brilliant autumn colors, layering upon one another.' Los Angeles Times
