An Observer and Spectator Book of the YearShortlisted for the Historical Writing Association Gold Crown AwardMeet Yuri Zipit.A boy who's had a bang on the head in a collision with a Moscow milk truck.He has a kind face, makes friends easily, and likes to help. People want to tell him their secrets.Including the Great Leader himself, who takes a shine to Yuri when he employs him for his natural talents.In his new job, Yuri will witness it all - betrayals, body doubles, buffoonery. Who knew that a man could be in five places at once? That someone could break your nose as a sign of friendship? That people could be disinvented . . .?The Zoo is a brilliantly cutting satire told through the voice of one incredible boy.

Christopher Wilson is the author of novels including Gallimauf's Gospel, Baa, Blueglass, Mischief, Fou, The Wurd, The Ballad of Lee Cotton and Nookie. His work has been translated into several languages, adapted for the stage, longlisted for the Booker Prize, and twice shortlisted for the Whitbread Fiction Prize.Wilson completed a published PhD on the psychology of humour at LSE, worked as a research psychologist at UCL, The London Hospital and The Arts Council, and lectured for ten years at Goldsmiths' College, London University. He has taught creative writing in prisons, at university and for The Arvon Foundation.Wilson has also established a couple of new imprints - Lollapalooza and MojoBooks - as e-publishers of fiction, poetry and books on cultural studies and body-politics. He lives in North London.