Natasha Sabin’s last thoughts on ‘The Last Family in England’
If you are a fan of Mark Haddon’s ‘The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time’ please, please read Matt Haig’s book. I picked up a copy of ‘The Last Family In England’ as a light read for a long train journey. I read the first sentence ‘Dogs like to talk’ and immediately regretted my choice of book. An hour and a half later I emerged from the train completely gripped. The narrative is broken down into short, sweet chapters making it an easy read that can be devoured in just two or three sittings. This book is definitely a must-read.
Set in the midst of the sad decline of the family unit, this book is written from the perspective of Prince, a naive, loyal Labrador. ‘The Last Family in England’ has a two tiered plot. On one side it shows a Labrador’s increasingly desperate attempts to keep his family together. On the other side, it shows the underworld of the dog, and Prince’s investigation of a murder. Both story lines are driven nicely by action, as secret upon secret is discovered.
What surprised me the most about this book is how accurately it explores some contemporary issues surrounding families. You wince with recognition as children disrespect their elders. You flinch as parents are overly strict with their children. What Matt Haig achieves so well is a sense of claustrophobia, created by stifled secrets and unfulfilled needs so common in families. In this sense, families are shown to be extremely self-destructive.
Ironically, Prince’s main aim is to protect his family from the infiltration of outsiders. Attention is drawn to one of the biggest contradictions of the family, as poor Prince exhausts himself trying to maintain the family that is supposed to support him.
If I absolutely had to give a criticism of the book, it would be that Haig doesn’t spend quite enough time on characterisation. Indeed, one character is seen as being a complete villain, which is the sign of a book that doesn’t delve too deeply into motives, means and emotions. However, this is a small sacrifice for a book written from the limited perspective of a Labrador, who sees anybody who threatens his family as an absolute enemy.
Unlike some of the loftier books that have recently been published, you can expect from Matt Haig a humorous and touching tale. Whether Prince is furiously wagging his tail to lighten the mood, or desperately trying to conceal a stain on the carpet, his persistence and good intentions are both funny and moving. Despite everything, the book ends on an optimistic note, promoting faith, loyalty and love, leaving us with hope that this might not be the last family in England.
‘The Last Family In England’ is published by Vintage Books with an RRP of £7.99
You can visit Matt Haig’s website at http://www.matthaig.com/
To see more of Natasha Sabin’s written work, visit http://bookaholicsbookreviews.blogspot.com
