Author:Patrick Neate
In the first year of the 20th Century, a young Englishman returns home from the Boer War. Disillusioned with Empire and fearful for the soul of Albion, he sets out on a pilgrimage into the West Country, determined to identify the key elements of the English character that they may be forever preserved.
In the present day, a young London entrepreneur, owner of the 'cultural consultancy' Authenticity™, defines his contemporaries through their consumer choices with bewildering accuracy, wallows in money and contemplates his growing sense of dissatisfaction.
His father, meanwhile, a junior minister in a failing government, is sent to Africa to deal with the continent's latest tin pot despot. He is as confident of success as he is ambitious of what that success will mean for his career.
Unfailingly relevant, politically astute, moving and funny, Jerusalem is a loving portrait of Englishness as it never was, isn't now and, hopefully, never will be.
An excellent writer, a marvellous novel. A thrilling read
—— Daily TelegraphThe most thought-provoking novel of the year. An utterly essential read
—— Irvine WelshExtraordinary, ambitious, bitingly, laugh-out-loud satirical . . . quite simply, a must-read
—— Daily MailWildly inventive, funny and superbly original
—— The TimesFunny and exciting, Neate is never less than vivid, whether describing the hideous conditions of an African prison, or a run-down pub in London. Excellent
—— Daily TelegraphA corrosive and blistering satire on colonialism and an eloquent, angry and relevant novel that speaks its own truth to power
—— Sunday TelegraphA multi-layered, jam-packed and often satirical novel rich in ideas and argument. Neate's most inventive book to date . . . invites comparisons with David Mitchell's genre-busting Cloud Atlas
—— GuardianWonderful, impressive, fascinating. Neate is always an engaging and sharp writer
—— Independent on SundayWitty and acerbic dialogue, an unflagging comic plot, upbeat entertainment
—— IndependentA very funny take on Englishness, colonialism and the search for authenticity
—— Financial TimesA curious, ridiculous and insightful exploration of Englishness
—— EsquireClever, moving and wise
—— Marina Lewycka , Sunday Telegraph Books of the YearWhere Neate excels is in his talent for the incongruously horrible ... there are some excellent jokes along the way
—— SpectatorHis most accomplished novel ... stands at some uber-cool crossroads between pop culture, social theory, racial politics and an old-fashioned belief in the power of storytelling ... it's a tricky thing to keep so many balls spinning but Neate makes it look easy
—— MetroDry, droll and insightful
—— The IndependentBodice-ripping romp through the West
—— TimesMissy by Strong and memorable female characters throughout this enjoyable novel
—— http://meandmybigmouth.typepad.com/scottpackWitty and effortlessly fluid. His books are laugh-out-loud funny
—— Arabella WeirThe funniest writer ever to put words to paper
—— Hugh LaurieThe greatest comic writer ever
—— Douglas AdamsP.G. Wodehouse wrote the best English comic novels of the century
—— Sebastian FaulksSublime comic genius
—— Ben Elton