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High and Low
- Author
- Amanda Craig
- Narrator
- Sid Sagar
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Book Group
- Publish Date
- 7 May 2026
- Run Time
- 9 hours 11 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
'The most mischievous take imaginable on the way we live now' FRANCIS SPUFFORD
'Terrific' PHILIP PULLMAN
'Sharp and funny, clear-eyed and unsentimental' CLARE CHAMBERS
'She's such a skilful storyteller who vividly dramatises our lives with wit, wisdom and compassion' BERNARDINE EVARISTO
In the worst day of the year, and on the twelfth day of Christmas, a group of people come under siege in Cross St, North London.
A gang is hunting for a child who has been drawn into crime with tragic results; there is a riot outside the church where asylum seekers have been sleeping, and many cities have descended into fierce protests.
Inside the Literary Cafe, a group of writers, bakers and shopkeepers are sheltering. Their petty feuds and past quarrels must be forgotten if they are to survive a gang armed with knives and a gun.
Over a few hours, the divisions between high and low, old and new, haves and have-nots are thrown into violent contrast. Are they going to try to save themselves, or each other?
Critics Review
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A huge treat. Her satirical take on the way we live now is always sharp and funny, clear-eyed and unsentimental
Clare Chambers
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High and Low showcases Amanda Craig doing what she does best - combining a gimlet-eyed but compassionate view of the world, with a rattling good plot
Lissa Evans
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A timely and unsettling portrait of London today, a city teetering on a knife edge between rage and hope. High and Low is in turns hilarious and terrifying, but always deeply humane. Another compelling novel from Amanda Craig
Vesna Goldsworthy, author of Iron Curtain
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Amanda Craig is at the top of her game with this satirical, state of the nation novel, which captures with pin-sharp accuracy the rage, fears and uncertainty of now
Esther Coren
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The most mischievous take imaginable on the way we live now
Francis Spufford
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The book is wonderful. It reminded me of Bonfire of the Vanities in its scope and wit
Daisy Goodwin
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Part state-of-the-nation novel, part literary satire, part siege drama... addictive
Guardian
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Terrific
Philip Pullman
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Mob violence and community spirit battle it out in this satirical state-of-the-nation novel from sharp-eyed, empathetic Craig
Mail on Sunday
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Writing a state-of-the-nation novel that is also tense and funny is no mean feat, but that's what Amanda Craig seems to have accomplished in High and Low... Ambitious and far-reaching
Spectator
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A snapshot of a society reeling from insecurity and division... The storytelling is deft throughout High and Low, and there are several cases of fine creative sympathy
New Statesman
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A delight... a book which marvellously combines humour and excitement with compassion for all those struggling to get by
Tablet
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Details
- Author
- Amanda Craig
- Narrator
- Sid Sagar
- Duration
- 9 hours 11 minutes
- Release Date
- 7 May 2026
- ISBN
- 9781405551632
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Book Group
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Synopsis
'Craig anatomises the state of the nation with wit and empathy' JONATHAN COE'The most mischievous take imaginable on the way we live now' FRANCIS SPUFFORD'Terrific' PHILIP PULLMAN'Sharp and funny, clear-eyed and unsentimental' CLARE CHAMBERS'She's such a skilful storyteller who vividly dramatises our lives with wit, wisdom and compassion' BERNARDINE EVARISTOIn the worst day of the year, and on the twelfth day of Christmas, a group of people come under siege in Cross St, North London.A gang is hunting for a child who has been drawn into crime with tragic results; there is a riot outside the church where asylum seekers have been sleeping, and many cities have descended into fierce protests.Inside the Literary Cafe, a group of writers, bakers and shopkeepers are sheltering. Their petty feuds and past quarrels must be forgotten if they are to survive a gang armed with knives and a gun.Over a few hours, the divisions between high and low, old and new, haves and have-nots are thrown into violent contrast. Are they going to try to save themselves, or each other?
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