2007-08-16 Ideal flight material

I read this book on the strong recommendation of a relative, and despite my deep reluctance due to Ben Elton being immensely dislikeable and my best efforts to not enjoy it to prove a point, I found myself warming to this very funny tale of corporate conspiracies, unrequited love, social satire and the end of the world. Taking all of those elements into account that's got to appeal to a very broad readership.

Elton skilfully weaves a web of a group of social inadequates who, for reasons I won't explain for fear of ruining the book, stumble upon a global conspiracy that has not only hid the extent to which the world's environment has been terminally damaged, but has provided a remarkable survival plan for the conspirators. Interspersed among the action are dire warnings about the way mankind has damaged the world and are done in familiar Elton monologue style. I have little time for Elton as a ranting performer on stage, but his rants are strangely endearing when in printed form.

The action rattles along nicely with proper characters with virtues and vices and CD's unrequited love for Rachel provides a welcome subplot and will strike a chord with most readers. That element is handled with surprising skill by Elton as the cringeworthy Pommie prat goes through agonies to win Rachel's affection and shifts from slapstick to pathos as the book develops.

Is it a technical summary of environmental catastophe? No. Will it provide a moment of epiphany to hitherto environmental spoilers? Probably not. Is it funny? Yes. I would say it's ideal material to read while on a long flight to Australia to help take your mind off the huge carbon footprint you are leaving... but then again...