From national bestselling author Nick McDonell, The Council of Animals is a captivating fable for humans of all ages—dreamers and cynics alike—who believe (if nothing else) in the power of timeless storytelling."'Now,' continued the cat, 'there is nothing more difficult than changing an animal's mind. But I will say, in case I can change yours: humans are more useful to us outside our bellies than in.'"Perhaps.After The Calamity, the animals thought the humans had managed to do themselves in. But, it turns out, a few are cowering in makeshift villages. So the animals—among them a cat, a dog, a crow, a baboon, a horse, and a bear—have convened to debate whether to help the last human stragglers . . . or to eat them.Rest assured, there is a happy ending. Sort of.Featuring illustrations by Steven Tabbutt

'The hype is all true' Sunday TelegraphNick McDonell's electrifying novel tells the story of a fictional drug called Twelve and its devastating effects on the beautiful rich and desperate poor of New York City. From page one, this novel pulsates towards its apocalyptic climax. Twelve is cool, cruel and utterly compulsive.'Bret Easton Ellis territory...an extraordinary assured debut' Harper & Queen'McDonell is an authentic talent and, long after the storms of hype have died away, his novel will endure as a snapshot of his generation' Observer'Consistently brilliant... One of the most exciting new writers around' Independent on Sunday'A brilliant satirical debut' Time Out'A compulsive elegy to wasted, privileged youth, lives up to the hype... lean,...