Ostrich

Description

Growing up is hard enough without a deadline. Alex has a story to tell. He just doesn't know what kind of story it is yet. He's got a lot of the concerns every 12-year-old has but lately, ever since his brain surgery, everyone in his life is behaving more than a little mysteriously. He's certain there's something rotten at the heart of his parents' marriage, and when his beloved hamster Jaws 2 starts acting up as well he decides it's time to investigate. So begins the journey that will take him to the limits of his understanding and take you back to the wonder and conviction of your own adolescence, to a time when you understood the world so much better than it understood you.

Promotion info

Authors are queuing up to lavish praise on this novel: Matt Haig (THE HUMANS) says: 'The most enjoyable reading experience I've had all year. It's seriously funny'. Maria Semple (WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE?) says: 'Irresistible!'. Carol Rifka Brunt (TELL THE WOLVES I'M HOME) says: 'One of the bravest novels I've read'.

Awards

Joint winner for Betty Trask Awards 2014.

Reviews

Ostrich has given me the most enjoyable reading experience I've had all year and has one of the funniest and most engaging young narrators I've had the pleasure of reading. Matt Greene is seriously funny and in Ostrich proves comedy can be the finest of arts -- Matt Haig, author of The Radleys and The Humans Irresistible! Ostrich is loaded with wit, charm and wisdom. Alex is one of the sweetest and most inspiring narrators I've ever encountered. I dare you not to laugh, cry and fall utterly in love -- Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette One of the bravest novels I've read in a very long time. Greene lets the reader become detective and clue by clue we uncover not only the truth of Alex's world, but the deepest truths of what it means to love and lose -- Carol Rifka Brunt, author of Tell the Wolves I'm Home Alex is a memorable narrator with a unique perspective on life and this is a highly engaging and funny coming-of-age story that becomes all the more poignant as we begin to wonder how much coming-of-age Alex is going to get THE BOOKSELLER Reading Ostrich is an experience that your emotions will thank you for. It has sad, sweet and funny moments all at once and an ending that takes the breath away. It's close to being the perfect book for adults and younger readers alike. www.thebookbag.co.uk it is impossible not to compare Ostrich with another - very well known - book; The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time... well written and well paced, so if you enjoyed the bestseller that inspired Ostrich, you may well enjoy this, too -- Christena Appleyard DAILY MAIL This is an endearing debut novel from Matt Greene, with an inspired and hilarious take on adolescence...Greene's unusual style and his enchanting wordplay will not only gain him favourable comparisons to Mark Haddon, but potentially earn him a place in the bestseller's list. TIME OUT

Author description

Matt Greene was born in Watford in 1985 and studied English language at the University of Sussex, where he edited THE BADGER newspaper and first became interested in writing for the stage. He has co-written four plays for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including the sell-out farce THE STRAIGHT MAN. OSTRICH is his first novel. @arealmattgreene