- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (6 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007195907
- ISBN-13: 978-0007195909
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.2 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 69,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
‘An effortlessly brilliant page-turner.’ Daily Telegraph
Praise for Boris Johnson and Friends, Voters, Countrymen:
‘Johnson has cracked the art of making politics invigorating.’Daily Telegraph
‘Such an entertaining read.’ Daily Mail
‘It is very funny and has, in short, all the idiosyncracies of its author.’ Jeremy Paxman
Book Description
A Comedy of Errors
Inside This Book
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
On the evidence of Seventy Two Virgins, Boris Johnson would make a good novelist or a good Prime Minister - he would probably have to decide which. `Flawed genius' may be a bit rich but hints at the general impression.
The American President is due to address the UK Parliament in Westminster Hall and meanwhile a serious but badly planned bomb cum kidnapping venture is under way. It's set in 2004, after 9/11 but before 7/7. Things go awry on all fronts but Johnson presents the drama with considerable tension, great humour and an astonishing political sensibility. How could this man be a Conservative MP?
The book is slow to start. The entire story takes place in under 4 hours but the build-up to the drama takes half the space without much happening. There is also a great deal of gratuitous erudition: okay, Boris, we've got the point, you're an extremely clever bloke but when you're writing a story like this, you need to move like Archer!
The kidnapping attempt, when it comes, is taken with deadly seriousness and yet has some hilarious sections as the author (relevantly) attacks some random targets: the fast food industry, bureacrats, celebrity chefs, religious fanatics, misogynists and military maniacs in no particular order. The book is worth the money for the rant about the food industry alone.
I was kept guessing as to how the book would end, but when it did it was satisfying. And was it all an improbable farrago?
I leave you with the author's last words:
-The only implausibility in this story is to imagine that (the kidnappers) could for a moment elude the police who guard the Palace of Westminster with such vigilance, tact and kindness.-
The American President is due to address the UK Parliament in Westminster Hall and meanwhile a serious but badly planned bomb cum kidnapping venture is under way. It's set in 2004, after 9/11 but before 7/7. Things go awry on all fronts but Johnson presents the drama with considerable tension, great humour and an astonishing political sensibility. How could this man be a Conservative MP?
The book is slow to start. The entire story takes place in under 4 hours but the build-up to the drama takes half the space without much happening. There is also a great deal of gratuitous erudition: okay, Boris, we've got the point, you're an extremely clever bloke but when you're writing a story like this, you need to move like Archer!
The kidnapping attempt, when it comes, is taken with deadly seriousness and yet has some hilarious sections as the author (relevantly) attacks some random targets: the fast food industry, bureacrats, celebrity chefs, religious fanatics, misogynists and military maniacs in no particular order. The book is worth the money for the rant about the food industry alone.
I was kept guessing as to how the book would end, but when it did it was satisfying. And was it all an improbable farrago?
I leave you with the author's last words:
-The only implausibility in this story is to imagine that (the kidnappers) could for a moment elude the police who guard the Palace of Westminster with such vigilance, tact and kindness.-
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Boris Johnson is one of those people who hide a frighteningly acute mind behind a bumbling persona, and I get the impression that he knocked this book out over a long rainy weekend. The plot is flawed, the pace slackens in places and, on reflection, this is a piece of lighter than light fluff. I can understand why BJ would resist a stronger editorial hand, but the book suffers as a result.
But, by Heaven, its funny! Boris Johnson takes huge swipes at the world and his dog, including himself, but cleverly avoids taking sides. ON the other hand, like Dave Courtney, he can dress up discomforting ideas in hilarious language and make you laugh despite yourself.
A good way to spend a rainy afternoon.
But, by Heaven, its funny! Boris Johnson takes huge swipes at the world and his dog, including himself, but cleverly avoids taking sides. ON the other hand, like Dave Courtney, he can dress up discomforting ideas in hilarious language and make you laugh despite yourself.
A good way to spend a rainy afternoon.
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A witty and highly enjoyable romp through much that is wrong with how Britain works (or doesn't) today.
The plot revolves around a bicycling MP who's a bit hapless, but basically a decent sort of chap (where have we seen that before?); islamist terrorists; a stolen ambulance and a speech by the President of the United States (POTUS) in Westminster Hall. Just don't cheer too loudly when the parking attendant gets stabbed! It had to lose one star off the maximum, though, because of a rather cheesy plot device involving the terrorist's demands and the general public - I won't give it away, but you'll know it when you see it!
Regular readers of Boris's journalism will know what to expect. Readers who have previously been taken in by his highly cultivated "bumbling, public-school educated, bit of a thicko but basically decent chap" image will be pleasantly surprised!
Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Boorish Johnson
This was the worst book I have ever read that was written by a politician. He should stick to Have I go news for you where he really is entertaining
Published 9 days ago by glenny
BORIS THE NOVELIST
I enjoyed this novel,at first I found it quite hard to get into,but the effort was worth it. I have to admit there were many words I needed to look up,and struggled to pronounce... Read more
Published 6 months ago by bibliophile
Virginal species:
One way to lose friends is to say something which is not fashionable about somebody like Boris Johnson: it is so much easier not to think for oneself and to regurgitate what the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Constantin ROMAN
Overlong but entertaining
This is an amusing novel which describes a plausible situation, and is worth reading for sure. It does go on a bit and perhaps could be shorter, but if you like comic novels it... Read more
Published 21 months ago by EddieMan
Sorry.....
Sorry, I found this most disappointing. As a long-term fan of Boris Johnson, I opened it with high hopes. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by G. M. MITSI
The magnificent farce of modern politics
Classically constructed novel by the classically educated man, but don't let this put you off. This novel is a farce set in modern times, highlighting the ineptitude of... Read more
Published on 8 April 2009 by John Holland
Codswallop with extra tripe
Dear oh dear. Boris is a talented wordsmith and a man of considerable intelligence but you would not know it if you read this. Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2008 by Mr. LGD Williams
A delight
This is simply excellent. Boris Johnson's charmingly erratic personality shines through, making this book a delight to read. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2005 by Peter Smith
Verbose Poppycock
the story is a tale of basic incompetence and the only thing that distinguishes the story and the author is that one had the benefit of a University education. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2005 by alastair todd
Excellent, stay with it, it is worth it
Having got about half way through Seventy Two Virgins I couldn't help feeling that although the narrative was "nice", that's all it was. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2005 by Chris Chalk
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