Gridlock - Ben Elton

"Gridlock is when a city dies" A great intro to this book as this is the plot. London Is Dying as a result of this. The Plot: --------- Gridlock is all about a professor, Geoffrey, who invents an engine. This is no ordinary engine, clean burning, runs of hydrogen AND just as powerful as a fossil fuel engine. This engine, not yet built, has struck fear into the hearts of the Heads of the Global Motors car corporation. They got hold of the plans through Digby Parkhurst, transport minister and weasel to the car and road lobby, who stole them from the Patents Office. Sam Turk, the head of GM UK has decided to have Geoffrey ...  Read the complete review

Some books are written just to be read. Some are written to make the reader laugh. Some, to make the reader think. Gridlock, by Ben Elton is all of these. Ben Elton has made a name for himself, not only as an accomplished comedian, but also as a writer. His style, unsurprisingly, combines his acerbic wit with a keen eye for detail and societal observation that many would do well to emulate. Gridlock is Elton’s look into the world of the motor industry; the manufacturers, environmentalists, oil industry and politicians, all of who play their part. The plot, at times far-fetched, is a wonderful pastiche of things we have all thought about the ...  Read the complete review

This is the third Ben Elton book I have read and I must say that I have enjoyed every one of them. He has the ability to tell a really funny tale and tell it well. The humour in this book come through the story really effectively so that it doesn't seem like a collection of jokes with a bit of a story to bind them all together but they are used as an integral part of the story. The story is based on Dr Geoffrey Peason and his fantastic invention for new engine which will be greener than anything previously invented - obviously the motor moguls can see their profits disappearing so they send out a hit man to kill Geoffrey. But Geoffrey is ...  Read the complete review

Maybe more people should read this book before they go banging on about petrol prices. I found that the book was funny the whole way through. The author raises a handful of serious issues. He comments on various aspects of society, usually taking a small chapter away from the plot to do so. The film-like rapid change of scenes with the 'goodies' and the 'baddies' makes you wonder how long it'll be until someone buys the rights, yet at the same time, there is no way they could possibly show the deep analysis of humanity that Elton displays. ...  Read the complete review

Ben Elton really defies convention with this one. Anyone who has ever seen Ben Elton do a standup routine will be aware of his political opinions and there is an obvious political presence in this book but also an empathy I never expected of him. Our 'heroes' are all in some way disadvantaged, Geoffery is a spastic, Deborah a paraplegic and Toss is a black man. Elton brings his characters to life, giving the reader a clear picture of their personalities before revealling their disabilities, he then deals with this issue in a very sensitive and knowledgable way. The plot; Geoffery has invented a hydrogen engine which will end pollution, he intends it only ...  Read the complete review