Seventy-Two Virgins: A Comedy of Errors - Softcover

Johnson, Boris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007198051 ISBN 13: 9780007198054

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

Seventy-Two Virgins is a comic political novel, with similar appeal to Stephen Fry or Ben Elton, written by one of Britain's most popular politicians. It is Boris Johnson’s first novel and was widely acclaimed on publication.

The American President, on a State Visit to Britain is giving a major address to a top-level audience in Westminster Hall. Ferocious security – with some difficulties in communication – is provided by a joint force of the United States Secret Service and Scotland Yard. The best sharpshooters from both countries are stationed on the roof of the Parliament buildings.

Then a stolen ambulance runs into trouble with the Parking Authorities. A hapless Member of Parliament, having mislaid his crucial pass, is barred from Westminster, his bicycle regarded as a potential lethal weapon. And a man going by the name of Jones, although born in Karachi, successfully slips through the barriers, and whole new ball game starts.

Despite the united efforts of the finest security minds, events begin to spin out of control. A remarkable new worldwide reality television show dominates the airwaves. And the most unlikely heroes emerge...

About this title

Review:

'A hectic comedy thriller...a rip-roaring knockabout farce...refreshingly unpompous, faintly dishevelled and often very funny.' Mail on Sunday

'At the centre of his first novel, a light comedy, is a terrorist plot of frightening ingenuity...the comedy is reminiscent of Tom Sharpe.' Sunday Times

'Johnson scores in his comic handling of those most sensitive issues...he succeeds in being charming and sincere...Boris Johnson has written a witty page-turner.' Observer

'Among the hilarious scenes of events and the wonderful dialogue which keeps the story moving at a cracking pace, Johnson uncovers some home truths...I can give no higher praise to this book than to say that I lapped it up at a single uproarious sitting.' Irish Examiner

'As an author, the Shadow Arts Minister is in a class of his own: ebullient, exhausting but irresistible.' Daily Mail

'fluent, funny material...the writing is vintage, Wodehousian Boris...it has been assembled with skill and terrific energy and will lift morale in the soul of many.' Evening Standard

'This is a comic novel, but Johnson is never far away from making serious points, which he leads us towards with admirable stealth.' Daily Telegraph

From the Author:

It maybe a truism but I wrote this novel because I had to.
I had long wanted to write fiction but had never quite got round to it. Then last year when I was planning to work on a quite different book, the idea of a political thriller set in one day in the Palace of Westminster came into my head. It was irresistible. I rose every day at 4am to write. The characters, the scenario, the developments of the plot took on a life of their own - which is supposed to be the mark of a good story. I will leave you to be the judge of that but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I am - clearly - interested in politics, in the way politicians work, in the life of Westminster. I find the interaction with our closest ally endlessly fascinating. So a novel which presented a shocking event at Westminster and involved Members of Parliament, the political establishment, some apparently disenfranchised zealots and a worldwide audience participating in a novel form of voter power enabled me to share many of my interests with readers to my, and I hope their, enjoyment.

It is strange how few political novels are written in Britain and yet all human interest, plenty of drama and some comedy is there. Perhaps Seventy Two Virgins will lead the return to political thrillers.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0007198051
• ISBN 13: 9780007198054
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 338