Scan barcode
kirstyhetherington's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blaisereads333's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
shells_reads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, not the best Ben Elton book I've read, but still reliably entertaining as you'd expect. A good cast of characters, and a bittersweet twist at the end.
bumba1717's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. Much like Black Mirror it's so perfectly plausible, but more than that, I actually want it to be real?
jobatkin's review against another edition
4.0
An extremely graphic but sadly realistic take on the diverse problems relating to the prevalence of illicit drugs, on both high and low society. The story focuses on three main characters - MP Peter Paget, who is introducing a revolutionary members bill to legalise all drugs in an effort to better control and profit from them; Tommy Hanson, a pop sensation who makes no secret of his widespread and constant use of all kinds of drugs; and Jessie, an abused and homeless teenager who is forced into a life of prostitution and heroin addiction. These exaggerated but somehow relatable characters get up to some darkly funny adventures while trying to understand publicise, legalise, find and escape from drugs in a truly wild ride of a story.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
Ben Elton has produced a complex narrative with an interesting style. There are no clear chapters and we are carried through the book via the multiple narratives of the main characters. MP Peter Paget has won the lottery to present this parliamentary sessions Private members bill and has chosen to focus on the legalisation of all drugs. We meet his attractive ministerial secretary, journalists and a variety of drug users as Elton draws together the multiple narrative lines. The characters were all flawed and we see all those flaws as the book progresses. Elton does a good job of making the reader like or loathe his characters and sometimes my opinions changed. My main problem would be that there was some repetition and the whole thing just seemed a little lengthy to me
goldiefan's review against another edition
4.0
This book had one of the best plotlines I’ve ever read, it was addicting, engaging and perfect. Then the ending just spoiled everything for me. Let’s just say I think Peter deserved something much happier, yes he did wrong- but it just felt like the moral high ground. It felt like the endings were all left loose, and although I’m glad Jessie and Tommy were ok- I felt really sorry for Peter. I guess it’s my fault for always liking the men who get their comeuppance. The actual arguements for legalizing drugs were excellently reasearched and very convincing. Still a well done to Elton, despite the disappointing ending.
pleasereadittome's review against another edition
4.0
Why put something I read so long ago on the list? This is a great satire on British and American culture. Ben Elton is one of my favorite comedic writers because he is so pointed and holds nothing back.
I know a lot of people think he's over the top, but he's everything Nick Hornsby isn't...blunt and not a baby.
I know a lot of people think he's over the top, but he's everything Nick Hornsby isn't...blunt and not a baby.