Seventy-Two Virgins (Hardcover)

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!

If I could make one suggestion to anyone who is considering reading this novel, it would be this: make sure you have read a lot of Mr. Johnson's work before. As someone who hasn't read so much serious material by the author, unfortunately I couldn't help but assume that something utterly ludicrous was about to happen as I turned the page. I have always struggled - perhaps this is unfair - to take the author seriously in real life, and that did make me a little uncertain about the seriousness behind the profound messages he had to put across.

Provided the reader has the capacity to take the fine man seriously, I recommend that they enjoy this very special novel.

If you've read a Carl Hiaasen novel, this has a similar flavour and pacing. There is a great deal of local colour, tidbits of history, details of the setting and traditions of Parliament, including some areas the public never see. None of that stops the action, but it does make everything feel more real. The main characters all mask various comic areas of incompetence or weakness, so you understand them instantly and mostly forgive them.

Some readers will have a bit of fun spotting minor celebs, mostly political, who have cameos in the story. Johnson has not given any space to people he genuinely dislikes; the PM is hardly in it! His version of George Bush, however, seems quite charitably smarter than the real thing. I also noticed a few bits of literary homage, including a Raymond Chandler line that never fails to bring a smile to my face.

The terrorists are largely cardboard cutouts, but one of them (based largely on Richard Reid, the shoe bomber) has more of a role to play, and by God you end up understanding him as well.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was a few Britishisms inserted in the mouths of American characters. This is easily overlooked, and in fact most readers probably won't notice. It's not enough of a problem to lose it any stars.

This is definitely a fluffy and fun book, and it was just the thing to read with a bout of bronchitis. I'd recommend it as a good choice of Christmas or beach reading and a decent gift. There is little in the way of heavy material, despite a recurring implication of marital cheating and a plot about terrorism.

Basically, you could feel safe giving this book to practically anyone. I already have a few recipients in mind.