The Restraint of Beasts
ABOUT
THE BOOK
Once upon a time in Scotland there were three men who built high tension fences, the kind that keep animals in and humans out. Two of the men were drinking buddies, while the third, their foreman, must keep the first two on the job. Eerie and hilarious, this gem of a novel has a finale so ingenious, insidious, and satisfying, it remains locked in the mind long after the last wire has been strung into place. Magnus Mills failed his 11-plus in 1965 and was then placed in the hands of Gloucestershire Education Authority. He later worked with dangerous machinery in Britain and Australia, before obtaining his recent employment as a London bus driver. His first novel, The Restraint of Beasts, has now been translated into sixteen different languages.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
Only a genius could build such an absorbing story around the day to day activities of two slobs and their resented foreman. By just occasional comments and questions from their employer, the writer creates a thread of underlying tension, which becomes very tangible when they go to work for the very strange “Hall Bros.”. The last lines in the book, words spoken by John Hall, suggest that the real story is only beginning. Write a sequel soon, please, Mr. Mills!
(Member of Raheny Library Reading Group)