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avispa_nightriver's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
askaglassofwater's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Often bleak, scarily prescient and pretty damn absurd. If you don't have eco-anxiety before reading this, you'll definitely have it once you finish it. The book is over 30 years old but the environmental disasters littered through the pages ring very true today.
The idea that the world's richest men (and of course they are all men) discover the imminent end of the world in secret, and work furiously to save their own asses, also feels pretty accurate to today's society.
The writing reminded me a little of Pratchett (not quite the same league but the same style) and made me chuckle several times, particularly characters like Zimmerman. But it has dated a lot, both in language and content, and even from the most hateful characters I couldn't cope with the racial slurs.
As for the end, it felt incredibly abrupt and really didn't pull any punches. I was definitely more engrossed by the second half and it's a fun read, but arguably in need of an edit.
The idea that the world's richest men (and of course they are all men) discover the imminent end of the world in secret, and work furiously to save their own asses, also feels pretty accurate to today's society.
The writing reminded me a little of Pratchett (not quite the same league but the same style) and made me chuckle several times, particularly characters like Zimmerman. But it has dated a lot, both in language and content, and even from the most hateful characters I couldn't cope with the racial slurs.
As for the end, it felt incredibly abrupt and really didn't pull any punches. I was definitely more engrossed by the second half and it's a fun read, but arguably in need of an edit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence and Murder
fourtriplezed's review against another edition
4.0
Read on release. I recall thinking it was very humorous. I never read Ben Elton again.
boostew's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes I like to revisit a book I loved when I was younger just to see if it or I have changed! This doesn’t quite stand up to my earnest, newly environmentally aware teenage self who loved both the Young Ones and my new Greenpeace membership
youngserfs's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
Despite the very scary ecological message that's still relevant 20 years later, this is a very funny book. The farting camel scene had me laughing out loud. Tears formed.
The characters in the EcoAction team are caricatures of hippies and ageing trendies that borders on cartoonish. Walter's hippy mannerisms and talking without saying anything is nicely complemented by his friend Zimmerman's insanity. Rachel, CD and the Culhoons are merely there so that stuff happens. The members of Stark are archetypical fat cats without any semblance of morality, but with their own set of problems.
The story does meander a little bit and the ecological message is shouted loud and clear. However, the final few acts of the book really pick it up and makes for a great finish (and a certain flatulent camel). The ending is as expected and was pretty much spelt out in the rest of the book.
The characters in the EcoAction team are caricatures of hippies and ageing trendies that borders on cartoonish. Walter's hippy mannerisms and talking without saying anything is nicely complemented by his friend Zimmerman's insanity. Rachel, CD and the Culhoons are merely there so that stuff happens. The members of Stark are archetypical fat cats without any semblance of morality, but with their own set of problems.
The story does meander a little bit and the ecological message is shouted loud and clear. However, the final few acts of the book really pick it up and makes for a great finish (and a certain flatulent camel). The ending is as expected and was pretty much spelt out in the rest of the book.
unwrappingwords's review against another edition
5.0
Funny, witty, engaging. Stark is, essentially, about the end of mankind. The rich have known for a long time that the earth would be unable to sustain humanity for much longer, and quite simply don't care. As they move towards the end of their plan for their own survival, a group of eco-warriors (well, two hippies, an eco-warrior wannabe woman, and a lovesick guy) stumble upon something they don't think is quite right, and end up inadvertently trying to stop a plot concocted by the world's richest men. Elton tackles a lot of social issues in the book, takes a pop at almost every type of character, and creates fascinating characters that keep you turning the page. What more could you want? Highly recommend this, along with all of his other books.
toastbrot123's review against another edition
1.0
Very slow, boring characters and worst of all what's missing in this comedy book: comedy. I put it away after 100 pages and reread parts of the Hitchiker's Guide to remind myself that I am a human being. Terrible book.