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qatsiBook Review: I, Maybot, by John Crace
I noticed on Goodreads this was only scheduled for release the day I finished reading it. I assume it slipped through any embargo at the work book sale, or perhaps the publisher metadata was wrong (it would hardly be the first time). I'm not sure this is a book for laying down, so I decided it was best read as soon as it appeared.
I think it's in the film Office Space where they say the job you should have is what you would do anyway if you didn't have to go to work. There's something appealing about being a political sketch writer, but whilst, like many people, I can make the odd wise crack, it would be difficult to sustain the quality for any length of time.
So, I leave it to the professionals, like John Crace. This is a thin but devastating volume compiled from his pieces for The Guardian since the EU referendum, with occasional inserts of newly written text to provide continuity and also to note significant events in the chronology that are beyond humorous writing (Crace gives credit for May's handling of the Westminster and Manchester attacks, says little about the London Bridge/Borough Market attack, and is scathing about her handling of the Grenfell Tower fire.) Whist May is centre-stage, the writing frequently draws in the other players - Dave (remember him?), George, Boris, Michael and Andrea - and not just the Conservatives: Corbyn, McDonnell and Abbott are ridiculed, and even Tim Farron's self-inflicted wounds on Channel 4 get a mention. The series of spectacular own goals and u-turns over the past year have, of course, provided ample material, so it's hardly a surprise that there is easily enough to fill the book. The publishers' only regret is probably that they cut off the story in July, so it doesn't cover the car-crash that was the party conference.
I noticed on Goodreads this was only scheduled for release the day I finished reading it. I assume it slipped through any embargo at the work book sale, or perhaps the publisher metadata was wrong (it would hardly be the first time). I'm not sure this is a book for laying down, so I decided it was best read as soon as it appeared.
I think it's in the film Office Space where they say the job you should have is what you would do anyway if you didn't have to go to work. There's something appealing about being a political sketch writer, but whilst, like many people, I can make the odd wise crack, it would be difficult to sustain the quality for any length of time.
So, I leave it to the professionals, like John Crace. This is a thin but devastating volume compiled from his pieces for The Guardian since the EU referendum, with occasional inserts of newly written text to provide continuity and also to note significant events in the chronology that are beyond humorous writing (Crace gives credit for May's handling of the Westminster and Manchester attacks, says little about the London Bridge/Borough Market attack, and is scathing about her handling of the Grenfell Tower fire.) Whist May is centre-stage, the writing frequently draws in the other players - Dave (remember him?), George, Boris, Michael and Andrea - and not just the Conservatives: Corbyn, McDonnell and Abbott are ridiculed, and even Tim Farron's self-inflicted wounds on Channel 4 get a mention. The series of spectacular own goals and u-turns over the past year have, of course, provided ample material, so it's hardly a surprise that there is easily enough to fill the book. The publishers' only regret is probably that they cut off the story in July, so it doesn't cover the car-crash that was the party conference.