Reviews

Identity Crisis by Ben Elton

bookedandwatched's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have such mixed feelings on this book. 

I do love Ben Elton books and I love satire but this just feels.... less satire and bordering on diatribe at times. It succeeds in getting you to think and see the grey areas. It succeeds in pointing out the power of keeping people angry online for corporations and governments. It succeeds is showing that the world is changing at a faster pace than it has in a while. It succeeds in showing just how easy it is to manipulate people on masse. 

It just doesn't feel enjoyable to read. 

The inclusion of the murder mystery helps to tie all things together throughout the book which is definitely needed as there are so many characters throughout the book. 

It is a nice and easy read in terms of pacing and writing. 

I dunno... the rating would suggest I really liked this book but I just didn't and I don't know exactly why. 

loopylu's review

challenging informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mrspbolt's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0

treena318's review

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

booktwitcher23's review

dark lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kminor86's review

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Very witty and fast-paced. I didn't really like any of the characters but I think that's deliberate.

sanchokapybara's review

medium-paced

3.75

jovreadswithwine's review

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

amy_beard's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

carolinerd's review

dark funny 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

Inspector Mick Matlock investigates the murder of a transgender woman. When other killings follow, Matlock feels increasingly out of his depth in a 'woke' world, getting to grips with LGBTQ+ rights, cancel culture, toxic and divisive social media trends and Twitter storms. I can see that Matlock's character might not appeal to everyone.  Some might see him as an out of touch middle aged man whose unprogressive approach is irritating and even offensive, but I sympathised wirh him. I felt he was genuinely trying his best and that sometimes he had to walk on eggshells to avoid saying the wrong thing even when his intention was to do the right thing. 

It is a good read, thought-provoking, witty, dark, relevant, and it is a cleverly written whodunnit. Ben Elton novels never disappoint me.