“Four years is a long time in politics.”

God, isn’t it just! Four months is also a long time, and is approximately how long I have been putting off writing my review of this great book. Cull is a brilliant book, but I knew I would either write a little about myself and my own experiences of the subject matter, or not write a review at all. Context, you know, is SO important to a reader’s experience of a book. So, for the sake of understanding the context of my review: I have had a life long battle with poor mental health and other health issues, am currently floating in the welfare system, unable to work, have been through a Work Capability Assessment, and have chronic frustration with the welfare system and NHS services, yet have met and been helped by, and still am being helped by, some amazing human beings who are a beacon in the dark, and whom I wish could be replicated a million times over! I am utterly grateful that we have a welfare system at all (there are many places in this world that do not), and think that there have been some changes in recent years that are wonderfully helpful, while others are at best totally baffling/at worst downright cruel.

Cull centers around Alex, a journalist who is blind and whose faithful guide dog Chris opens the novel with a point of view chapter of her own, the first of many witty and lovely passages exploring the bond between dog and (wo)man. Set amongst a hostile social and political backdrop, a speculative picture of a Britain that has truly come to shit emerges, one that seems mostly believable, and, given the state of things today, fairly probable. The Care and Protect Act has been shat out in order to ‘ease the burden on home carers and social workers’ – said no Tory minister, ever – by providing vulnerable people with places in new high-care facilities with 24 hour nursing and medical support. ALWAYS be sceptical of a free lunch…

If I had read this without the author’s name on the front, I would have been delighted that Margaret Atwood had written another great social satire slash horror novel after The Heart Goes Last! All the marvellous ingredients of a dystopian comedy are right here, exploring some of the biggest topical issues of our time, such as how the fuck are the kinds of laws that affect the lives of the most vulnerable in society still being made by people who are as far removed from their situations as a 9p pack of super noodles is from Chequers?

Alex investigates what is actually happening to the vulnerable and sick, including those who have disappeared in peculiar circumstances. She meets a sassy group of women called the Ladies’ Defective Agency, although I’ll leave the discovery of what that entails for the reader. Just know that this novel is very creative and highly original 😉

The trail leads Alex to the clinic offering fabulous care at the heart of the Care and Protect Act, where everything comes to a head, with the vulnerable coming together in an attempt to stand up for the abused and change things for the better. I was really disappointed when I was reading the big ending, initially. It didn’t seem sinister in any way, and the kind of thing a group of children would come up with, until it struck me that sometimes the very worst thing you can do to these monstrous people, is to embarrass them. (But not the kind of embarrassment that comes from going through a WCA, spilling your guts for a process that is degrading and in my case, actually makes health conditions worse)

I love the journalistic style of the novel, and the frequent news clippings are effective, given how much (often incorrect shite) is often said about the vulnerable and those on welfare, for any reason, in the media, and how they are represented. (Hint: atrociously)

Cull is a clever work of art, a terrifying prediction of the political landscape completely losing touch with its responsibilities of looking after its citizens, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what Tanvir Bush writes next.

Rating ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Cull was published on 24th January 2019 by Unbound. Thanks to them for the ARC

When a mostly blind part-time reporter begins to sniff out the mysterious disappearance of a homeless acquaintance, she never imagined the depth of the scheme she would aid in uncovering. In fact, if she was able to communicate better with her guide dog, they would have "sniffed out" the plot much earlier. In Cull, Tanvir Bush tells a story that, given current policies and trends, is not all that unbelievable.


In a society where the disabled are not valued, where they are seen as a burden on society, the logical conclusion is that they must be simply eliminated. All the numbers make sense, economically. We could start with the poor, the elderly, the homeless, people who won't be missed much. We can develop efficient means of disposing of their bodies. We can make it all look like compassionate care. This is the line of reasoning that doctors and government officials follow in Cull.



Bush tells the story primarily from the perspective of Alex, the blind reporter. But the bits that reflect her guide dog Chris's point of view are the best. His sense of smell and powers of observation cry out for more exploration. Alex's social connections end up linking her up, without her knowledge, to an activist group whose plot to expose the euthanasia scheme she never imagined. Her encounters with and reports of the horrid treatment of people with disabilities force the reader to think about the way we view disability as a society, and the value we place on people with disabilities. Cull is a nice balance of a fun-to-read novel which has an important societal message.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher Unbound. Thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review.

Dr. Bush's new novel is a glimpse into the future of care of the disabled and elderly. It strikes very close to home as a reader with a loved one with disabilities. As the cover suggests, in this story, disabled people are being expendable. As are addicts, the elderly and anyone viewed to be leeching off the system. Considering what National Health Care in Britain is like, Dr. Bush is not too far off base.

A gripping tale. Highly recommended.

I am not sure how to explain this book. Cull takes the concept of a scapegoat to a new place: blaming the disabled, homeless, and elderly for their plight, determining that they are bleeding the system dry, and cutting their assistance to the bare minimum, if that. Then it goes further with a plot to basically erase these classes from society, with the wholehearted support and enthusiasm of a majority of society. The story is placed in Britain but could so easily take place in the US. I really enjoyed how Dr. Bush takes the reader from the reasonable to the unreasonable, and how the seeing eye dog is given a voice. I am always a sucker for that and it lightens up what could have been a wholly depressing book. The question this story makes the reader consider is where is the line between helping those who can't help themselves and encouraging abuse of the system?

Satire that might not be... anger-inspiring, appalling 'benefit system' exposé.

I spent a good portion of my reading time incensed. At the benefit system portrayed, the citizens of this society that's ours but not-quite-ours-thank-goodness and their attitude towards disabled people, at the leaders and politicians pinching pennies and playing Social Darwin.

It's so hard to read a book where insulting terms are bandied around, used routinely and demeaningly. The choice of 'crip' is a powerful one, a condensing of 'cripple' in the ways of racist terminology that leaves a sour taste.

The world is ours but not. Britain is a divided country, and just like countries in the past (as well as nearer our own times) a particular group of people is vilified in the press and blamed for economic woes. Disabled people are becoming regularly reported as benefit 'scroungers', jumping through hoops to receive entitlements, many less than supported in their communities and by government policy.

Alex is visually impaired, a former respected journalist now scraping by at an unpaid position at a local paper on benefits that disappear around her. She and guide dog Chris navigate a world where the newspapers advertise the 'Shop a Scrounger' policy and the TV plays 'documentary' Scrounger Street, where foodbank use is widespread, where the grudging betrothing of one benefit leads to the removal of another and disabilities are openly mocked and often treated with hostility.

Alex's journalistic nose picks up on a link between disappearing homeless people and a government policy concerning a residential home. We in the meantime, as this plot unfolds, get to see just where an uncaring political landscape and a vitriolic press are able to dehumanise a sector of the population.

I loved the multiple perspectives the author presents us with - Alex, her dog Chris (though he seems to be an incredibly well-educated dog, able to use words such as 'obstreperous' in his thoughts), paramedic Mosh who transports patients to care homes, and a more all-encompassing voice giving us insight into the thoughts of politicians.

Powerfully upsetting at times, with some scenes of graphic violence and hate, it hurts that this is a society we could so easily find ourselves becoming. The gutter press portrayed, the out-of-touch leaders who see data and not people, the struggling population looking for a scapegoat - where have we seen these elements before?

With some truly evil and hateful characters to loathe, this satire also gives the benefit system a good once-over, finding it impersonal and inadequate, the press a tool of its puppet masters, the people easily led. Our heroes are clear and though not perfect (Alex is an alcoholic), are fighting the system.

There are a few literary references I enjoyed: "'Curiouser and curiouser' said Alex" and 'The Ladies Defective Agency' made me smile.

I wasn't sure about Chris's narrative at the beginning, but I laughed out loud when he is able to translate a rather irate cat at the vets. I was howling: "'Yo b*tch!' yells the tom cat. 'It was you, weren't it? You took my nuts. Bet you needed both hands, right?... You are going down, monkey t*ts. Going down!'" Sorry, but it was hilarious, amid all the morbidity and hostility.

I was incensed and desperate to see the 'little guy' overthrow the masters, for good to triumph, for the curtain to be pulled back and reveal Oz. The story moves to a rather hysterical few scenes but the reveals and conclusion certainly are pulsing with frenzy and melodrama. I had a lump in my throat a few times and punched the air once or twice as well.

Satire works if it shows its object up, criticises it, ridicules it. 'Cull' fulfils what I believe its author set out to do. There are some incredibly visual scenes that I really hope are transferred to the screen in adaptation.

This will anger and upset, though tempering this with a few laughs along the way. I'm going to be recommending this widely. It feels relevant and very important to have these sorts of issues at the forefront of our collective minds at this time. Please read it.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample e-copy.

The first thing that attracted my interest to the book was in fact the cover. I think the cover though quite simplistic is presents a powerful image. The way the C in the word Cull is used to represent a wheelchair leaves the prospective reader in no doubt about what is trying to be “culled” in the book. I then read the blurb and felt a strong urge to read the book. With having health issue’s myself as well as looking after both my parents who had multiple health issues and both of them are or have been wheelchair uses too I could view the problems the characters have in this book from their point of view and the point of view as a carer too.

I have seen this book labelled as general fiction, sci-fi and dystopian. I would say that perhaps the sci-fi label could be a little off putting to some readers but I have to agree with the genres listed. The dystopian element is more of a futuristic slant of what could actually be happening in our present society. I suppose the Sci-Fi and Dystopian themes also refer to the “survival of the fittest” aspect of the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book from the point of view of Alex who is visually impaired and needs a guide dog. At first I thought I couldn’t like the sections done from the perspective of Chris, who is Alex’s guide dog but upon reading them I found some parts from Chris’ view point interesting too. I found the book thought provoking and I am sure some people will find the language used in it and some of the books perceptions to be controversial. This book takes place in a time that could well be coming to Britain soon. The government are making budget cuts to benefits and help they provide disabled people. Rather like we see, in our present day, people are dying and committing suicide rather than being made to feel a burden on society. There are also those elements of society who like to apportion blame for the “state of the country and its finances” on those less fortunate or with disabilities. In this book there are various incidents throughout where certain characters are verbally and physically abusive to the characters who have disabilities.

The government are putting money into extending a local facility called Grassybanks. The attitude of those in power is to find the cheapest way to take care of those that are costing them money. There is a group of Doctors and Professors that are running various schemes and building new hospital type equipment such as chiller beds and a machine called the resomator. In fact there is somewhat of a competition going on for who can "take care of the problem" the quickest.

The tables are turned at one point in the book where a movement calling themselves Boudicca try to show those in charge and working at Grassybanks what they are doing and how they would feel being treat the way they are doing with disabled people. I don't want to reveal much more as that would mean giving away spoilers.

I adored all the aspects of the character of the guide dog Chris. He is all serious when working, and in his harness and feels both responsible and protective of Alex. I thought the descriptions of the “off harness” times when Chris is obsessed about chasing a ball just like any other dog. There’s also the inevitable part when Chris is being cared for by a friend of Alex who has a baby. The baby is being fed and dropping food on the floor and though Chris knows he shouldn’t, he can’t seem to help himself from licking up the food.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were that I found it interesting, thought provoking, as well as totally believable. Today's society isn't that far away from having chilling beds and resomator......who knows they may already exist somewhere.

I could seriously identify both with being a carer and also with having disabilities. The fight to be heard, get the diagnosis and the end up begging for help that is supposed to be readily available but you cannot seem to get access too no matter how much you beg, plead, cry, shout or scream for it! I have also been left with an uneasy feeling that this government is steering the country and it's people towards this type of society.

This was definitely an interesting concept, but it's not my type of material. I'm sure readers of this particular genre will enjoy it.

DNF at 64%.

The premise is both fascinating and daring, really unique, but the writing just really doesn't work for me. I wasn't a fan of the segues into Chris (the guide dog)'s POV - I thought they were too cutesy considering how grim the rest of the book is - and the gritty details about all the (literal and figurative) shit everywhere were uncomfortably graphic.

But the real dealbreaker was the way the narrative deals with race: every character's ethnicity has to be labeled (Caucasian, black, "[with] the almond eyes of Asia"), and there's some stereotyping going on too. My tipping point was when the main character, Alex, puts on a "tourist impression" to avoid trouble due to being sight-impaired in a hostilely ableist world: '"Oh ... velly solly." She is not sure what accent she is pretending to do ... a Spike Mulligan <i>Goon Show<i> Chinaman classic, possibly'

So yes, the idea is absolutely fascinating and politically relevant, but this book isn't for me.

Michael Berquist 's review Dec 28, 2018 · edit



I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review on Netgalley.

This was a powerful novel that although hard to read at times was harrowing and necessary for our present time. Imagine a world where benefits and opportunities for employment are stripped away from people with disabilities. Bush creates such a hellscape that is not too far removed from our political climate. I hope this great indie novel finds a wider readership!

This is why I read indie books. Because every so often there’s a treasure like that just waiting to be found. The Cull is actually a perfectly timed read with Britain being on the news so much lately, but this isn’t a Brexit themed story. It deals with another ugly side of British social politics (no, not that one either, the story takes place after the rise of nationalism and passing of strict immigration laws), now with not enough foreigners left to hate, the citizens turn their attention onto their fellow Brits, albeit less able. Crips, as they are now known, are the new danger, mooching off the working class, sponging off the dole and so on. And that can cover just about any disability, this is an all inclusive animosity. Severe austerity measures have been passed to ensure that no one gets something for nothing, leaving so many underprivileged and disabled in dire circumstances. And if that wasn’t enough, the next step seems to be eliminating them all together with Nazi esque efficiency behind the Nazi esque mentality. Such measures must be protested and there is a mysterious group Boudicca that may do just that. And one reporter, Alex, and her furry four legged best friend/guide, Chris, get caught up in the middle of it. So anyway, this is meant to be a satire, but it’s such a close shave to reality that it actually makes for a terrifying read. It’s just too alarmingly plausible and Britain has in fact passed some similar laws recently. Obviously, this is exaggerated in the book for dramatic effect, but if you read the news on the regular basis, it isn’t even that far fetched. It has always been easier to hate that to care and there nothing fuels the fire like a government encouragement. Or even government’s silence on that matter. Just look at the rise of racism and white supremacism in the US in the last couple of years. Throw some slogans around, give the sheeple a cause to line up against, redirect their attention from real crises to something a low corn fed (or whatever is the British equivalent) IQ can process and voila…violence. So it’s an eerie read, it’s meant to discomfort the readers and make them think, it’s very good at that. The ongoing brutal psychological and physical abuse of the disabled throughout the book is devastating and the ending is all too realistic, tragically so. There is some lightness in here thrown in for balance and Chris is as lovable of a character (bipedal or quadrupedal) as they come and absolutely steals the show. And the book is well written and smart…it’s just all too scary to consider it prophetic as it may be. This hypothetical version of Britain trying to become great again (and where would they have gotten that idea) is meant to caution, to remind an increasingly callous world about compassion, kindness, all the values that are, in fact, great. But alas, they never seem to compete with stupidity, ignorance and greed. A country, a government, a nation must be judged by how they treat their most vulnerable. Not by its arsenal or bank account. Much like one hopes you would judge a person. This book is very much worth a read if only to ponder those things, but it’s also very enjoyable as a work of fiction. Great read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Sadly this book did not really grip me or did it keep me engaged.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Unbound for my eARC of this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review