Finalist 2019 People’s Book Prize
Longlisted for the 2017 Guardian Not the Booker Prize

’What makes us who we are - nature, nurture or zombie movies? This novel beautifully examines whether the ties that bind need to be so binding.’ (Robin Ince, author of I'm a Joke and So Are You)

‘A classic coming-of-age story exploring themes of identity, addiction, narcissism and neuroticism.’ (Big Issue)

'This novel’s treatment of the theme of parents and what they can do to us, is brilliantly handled. Sonny gives the novel its great charm and humour.' (Viva magazine)

Meet Sonny Anderson, funny failed LA Galaxy hopeful, recovering misophonic meth-head and Shaun of the Dead-obsessed survivor.

On his 21st birthday, gifted the opportunity of inheriting a life-changing sum of money, Sonny is forced to face his past and future head on. But first, he needs answers to a few important questions.

For instance, where is his mother? He last saw her age five when his dad kidnapped him and took him to live on a commune in Brazil. His dad claimed to be a spiritual guru, but what kind of man was he really? And how does all this affect the kind of man Sonny wants to be?

What, and who, is family?

To find his answers Sonny must leave his home in Southern California and return to the UK, his country of birth. Armed with three lists: the names and addresses of people who knew both his parents; the times and locations of Narcotics Anonymous meetings close to those addresses, and the locations of his all-time favourite movie, Shaun of the Dead.

Humour can take him so far, but is he strong enough to face the dark truth about his childhood?