Author:Chris Binchy
The place is Dublin. The time is the present. Five characters - two Irish, three from eastern Europe, all seeking success from wildly different starting points - become entangled with one another in a web of politics, property, sex and violence. Chris Binchy's novel is a beautifully observed portrait of a place and a time, and a thrillingly paced story of an unforgettable group of characters brought together by circumstance, ambition and need.
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