Boomsday

Rated 4.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating

Price: £7.99

Format	Paperback
Author	Christopher Buckley
Rights	UK & Comm ex Canada
ISBN	9780749079550
Pages	318
Publication Date	26th May 2008

Category: Fiction

Recommend This:

Description

One of America’s most hilarious novelists and bestselling author of Thank You For Smoking returns with a biting comedy about generational warfare, political shenanigans and the power of PR spin.

Cassandra Devine, a charismatic 29-year-old blogger and member of Generation Whatever, is outraged over the excesses of the Baby Boomer generation and their negligent handling of the mounting Social Security debt.

When she politely suggests that Baby Boomers be given government incentives to kill themselves by the age of seventy-five, it catches the imagination of millions of outraged citizens, including an ambitious senator who sees this as his ticket to becoming President.

With the help of Washington’s greatest spin doctor, the blogger and the politician try to ride the issue of euthanasia for Boomers all the way to the White House, over the objections of the Religious Right and, of course, the Boomers themselves, who are deeply offended by demonstrations on the golf courses of their retirement resorts…

What The Critics Said

'A great read...the first satirical anything that's made me laugh out loud.'
Lucy Mangan

'Mischievous and sharp, Buckley's outrageous vision of the near future unerringly hits the mark, exposing society's twisted values to hilarious effect'
Good Book Guide

“a phenomenally enjoyable funny novel.”
Simon Mayo

‘The plot and narrative are genuinely hilarious, the characterisation anarchic and thoroughly enjoyable, and the satire bites at its target with he determination and impact of a rottweiler setting about a fillet mignon. But for all that, Buckley also has a beautifully light witty touch that emphasises Washington’s descent into a cynical, selfish, moral cess pool.’ […] ‘Buckley brings the full package to the table. Boomsday is laugh-out-loud, Hiaasen-on-the-potomac funny, but also hits all it’s targets- lobbyists, spins doctors, politicians, business people – with unerring accuracy. A first class example of a difficult art’
Material Witness Blog

‘Hilarious…like a wittier West Wing, Boomsday takes a rollicking, entertaining look at the machinations inside Washington...ultimately a very successful satire’
Observer

‘Savage satire right at heart...hilarious, absurdist...a perfect gift for any over-50s relative’
Tribune

‘ Buckley writes with satirical gusto and, despite the implausibility of the novel’s plotline, its development rings true’
Arena

‘An amazing read that I would thoroughly recommend…funny, imaginative, well documented, authentic, ingenious…the list goes on, and though it’s a rare thing for me to say, I really couldn’t fault it in even the smallest way – 5-stars!’
Bookbag.co.uk

‘Buckley displays his usual talent for converting America's political controversies into hilarious caricatures…highly diverting’
The Guardian

‘Mischievously funny…this screwball caper blends the downright ridiculous with the ridiculously plausible to morbid yet hilarious effect’
Daily Mail

‘If you really want to read about spin in all its cynical glory, then ditch your Alastair Campbell doorstops and buy this lacerating satire instead. You'll laugh your ass - sorry, arse - off.’
New Statesman

Have Your Say

Rated 4 out of 5

Particular Press – March 20, 2009

‘A fitting read in the current pre-election climate, Boomsday is a well crafted book by a clearly talented writer. It’s strengths lie in the way in which Buckley creates an entire parallel world, which is only slightly exagerrated and hence very believeable. The whole world of American politics is mercilessly mocked and Buckley scores points off just about every potential target on the political spectrum, and for the most part this makes for a very enjoyable read. It falls down simply because it occasionally becomes too clever for its own good – the middle section is especially weak as the plot seems to disappear completely in preference to a lengthy and slightly tedious series of extended satirical passages.
An enjoyable read, but by no means essential.’