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· 7,452 ratings · 169 reviews

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Oct 19, 2009 Chris Leib rated it it was amazing

Though it took me twenty years to discover that Ben Elton wrote books (I knew of him through TV's The Young Ones, Blackadder, and The Thin Blue Line), I've always loved his acerbic wit aimed at the stupidity and indifference of people. His stand-up and television sitcom scripts have always been on my desert island favourites, so imagine my joy at discovering that he's had an equally successful career in writing narratives for the last two decades.

It's scary knowing that when this book came out i

It's scary knowing that when this book came out in 1989 the very things Elton was talking about have come closer to fruition. In an odd way - and only Elton could accomplish this convincingly - it's also amusing to see that we haven't really done all that much to change things.

Not wanting to give anything away, I HIGHLY receommend this book. Elton's characteristic humour and anger co-exist wonderfully well in the narrative form (anyone who's heard Elton's stand-up will instantly recognise his voice here), and while he successfully entertains, Elton also manages to inform and hopefully inspire people to do the right thing.

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Read on release. I recall thinking it was very humorous. I never read Ben Elton again.

Even more relevant today than it was in '89. Ben Elton is a fantastic raconteur and a brilliantly humorous writer

Aug 31, 2014 Mark Speed rated it did not like it

So dreadfully badly written that it's almost funny in that respect. It's written in this bizarre hyper-tabloid speak, complete with paragraph headers.

Perhaps wrong of me to mention it in this context, but if you look at old episodes of Saturday Night Live you'll see that the laughter for Elton's rants was canned, and that the studio audience are unamused. I was given a copy of this by a friend when it first came out and had that same "WTF?" experience. Proof that the sharp-elbowed and talentless

So dreadfully badly written that it's almost funny in that respect. It's written in this bizarre hyper-tabloid speak, complete with paragraph headers.

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Jun 29, 2014 John Hill rated it really liked it

Can't believe that was written in 1989, by a then 30 year old Ben Elton. One of my favorite lines...'they had a sign saying 'Smart Dress' which would have allowed Hitler in but barred Jesus for having a beard and wearing a dress'. Dystopian, line by line funny, and at the same time, quite sobering. Can't believe that was written in 1989, by a then 30 year old Ben Elton. One of my favorite lines...'they had a sign saying 'Smart Dress' which would have allowed Hitler in but barred Jesus for having a beard and wearing a dress'. Dystopian, line by line funny, and at the same time, quite sobering. ...more

Feb 01, 2020 Ellen McMahon rated it really liked it

A climate crisis satire, originally published in 1989, that still feels eerily (and depressingly) prescient. I first read this when I was in high school, but felt drawn to it again in light of recent events surrounding the overwhelming fears associated with climate change. I'll probably always love Ben Elton's writing. It's sharp and funny and never heavy, despite the morbid themes. His characterisation is also wonderful; my favourites in this book being Zimmerman and Mrs Culboon. Given the date A climate crisis satire, originally published in 1989, that still feels eerily (and depressingly) prescient. I first read this when I was in high school, but felt drawn to it again in light of recent events surrounding the overwhelming fears associated with climate change. I'll probably always love Ben Elton's writing. It's sharp and funny and never heavy, despite the morbid themes. His characterisation is also wonderful; my favourites in this book being Zimmerman and Mrs Culboon. Given the date of publication it's understandable at times the language can feel a little prickly, and there were many moments this made me feel uncomfortable (I won't dredge them up, but you'll understand if you read it). It's both remarkable and fascinating to note how language has evolved for the better in the last 30 years. However on the whole, it has aged fairly well, with his astute observations on subjects such as rampant and destructive capitalism, the climate emergency, native land title and toxic masculinity. ...more

the themes of climate change and a dying planet seem very relevant for our modern times, which is surprising because this was written long before the true effects of greenhouse and 'An Inconvenient Truth' and other scary facts became well known. the book is full of the usual and expected ben elton wit and style, but at almost 500 pages is a bit long in places. i enjoy his short punchy chapters and sub-chapters style, it makes his books a quicker and easier read and, more often then not, pageturn the themes of climate change and a dying planet seem very relevant for our modern times, which is surprising because this was written long before the true effects of greenhouse and 'An Inconvenient Truth' and other scary facts became well known. the book is full of the usual and expected ben elton wit and style, but at almost 500 pages is a bit long in places. i enjoy his short punchy chapters and sub-chapters style, it makes his books a quicker and easier read and, more often then not, pageturners. maybe not his best work, but very good for a first novel. also, the australian themes and issues added to the relevence and enjoyment for me, being an australian myself. ...more

Written some time ago when Global Warming was still the term for Climate Change, this is a hilarious and sometimes prophetic tale of the amoral men conspiring to bring the world to its knees (all in the name of lining their pockets with more cash than they could poke into a spaceship rapidly leaving our de-forested planet). I first read this in the latter years of highschool, and enjoyed it immensely; I re-read it last year but then left my copy at a bus stop with one chapter to go. So I can't r Written some time ago when Global Warming was still the term for Climate Change, this is a hilarious and sometimes prophetic tale of the amoral men conspiring to bring the world to its knees (all in the name of lining their pockets with more cash than they could poke into a spaceship rapidly leaving our de-forested planet). I first read this in the latter years of highschool, and enjoyed it immensely; I re-read it last year but then left my copy at a bus stop with one chapter to go. So I can't remember how it ends! But as per all of Ben Elton's work (that I've read so far), this is a funny, easy read, with an in-your-face moral message. Ben Elton is a master at reading the sentiment of society at any given moment in time, and reflecting back to us all the issues we face, some we haven't even recognised yet. As always, a reluctant hero is at the helm of the story, weaving together the larger than life environmentalists, hippies, powerful company men and everything in between. Quite impressive for a first-time novelist, and a sign of things to come for the hilarious Englishman. ...more

Nov 13, 2017 Nicola rated it really liked it

"It is strange but no matter how many millions of times in human history hindsight has revealed the most terminally appalling human errors , we still refuse to even attempt to develop foresight "
Brilliant book, enjoyed the warnings of what we are doing to our planet and consequences in Elton style.

Funny in parts, but overall I just didn't get the point of this book. It was quick to read though. Funny in parts, but overall I just didn't get the point of this book. It was quick to read though. ...more

This being my second Elton novel, I can thus far conclude that he certainly likes his depressing endings - these being rendered even more so due to the comical strain that runs through his books. The other book I read - High Society, about a British Labor MP's crusade to legalise drugs - marketed itself, at least to a certain degree, as a comedy. But I remember it being downright dark at times, about as amusing as Dante's alleged comedy in which he travails the depths of Hell. Stark, Elton's deb This being my second Elton novel, I can thus far conclude that he certainly likes his depressing endings - these being rendered even more so due to the comical strain that runs through his books. The other book I read - High Society, about a British Labor MP's crusade to legalise drugs - marketed itself, at least to a certain degree, as a comedy. But I remember it being downright dark at times, about as amusing as Dante's alleged comedy in which he travails the depths of Hell. Stark, Elton's debut novel from 1989, is a much less serious work than High Society. Its comedic aspirations are much more on the nose. Its overarching premise is a depressing and very real one - that is, the impending destruction of the world through climate change and pollution - but the actual narrative often becomes so facetious, and the characters so zany, that it tends to jar with the book's higher potential as a decent political thriller (that just happens to have a sense of humour).

While the book certainly got a chuckle out of me here and there, I ultimately felt it would have worked better without so much of the silliness Elton seemed impelled to inject into the story. Too often when it was trying to be funny, it took me out of the story, and it often felt confusing, leaving you wondering whose side Elton was really on - the crazy and often inept "eco-terrorist" heroes, or the selfish one-percenters who have pooled together all their wealth and intend on flying to the moon. I enjoyed it most whenever the stakes were raised, and the perils the heroes found themselves in truly became apparent. Then the novel did become genuinely suspenseful.

All in all, I guess I still have to call it a mixed bag. This time, contrary to what I usually do, I have written the review before rating the book, hoping to find whether I want to give it a three or a four. I lean towards four when I remember the times (and there were a fair number of them) when I was honestly absorbed by the story, but then I lean back towards three when I remember that it did take me a while to get into it in the first place, and when I think about the many times the inconsistent comedy hindered my taking the story seriously.

I suppose it has to be three stars, but (and the case is very similar with High Society), I will have to do that with a degree of guilt. Because at times the story really is quite great, and it in no way turns me off reading more Elton in the future.

It is a messy, and at times surprisingly poorly written novel, but one cannot deny its ambitiousness, and it does hint at Elton's true potential as a great storyteller.

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Think economical and ecological conspiracy theories combined into a funny (ironic) book, only to end up understanding that okay this is not so conspiracy-like maybe a bit exaggerated account of reality, but we are getting there. That is the book, in a nutshell, have fun. Okay, you deserve more. This is a personal story of those who are trying to piece together what the heck is going on and then try to survive when shit hits the fan. It is full of economic and ecological jokes about the collapse Think economical and ecological conspiracy theories combined into a funny (ironic) book, only to end up understanding that okay this is not so conspiracy-like maybe a bit exaggerated account of reality, but we are getting there. That is the book, in a nutshell, have fun. Okay, you deserve more. This is a personal story of those who are trying to piece together what the heck is going on and then try to survive when shit hits the fan. It is full of economic and ecological jokes about the collapse in both senses. Those jokes, or more like little stories taking a detour from the main plotline, were the best part of the book. They explained why we are in this mess. (Why dolphins are dying. Why Koalas and other animals are at the moment dying in Australia, where this story happens to take place.) This is the kind of book that while you are laughing, you are dying inside one joke at the time. You feel your innards yell that "Holy space cows, we need to do something, but what? I'm just one person."

I'm not sure if I loved this book or if I find it just okay, the story is fun, the setting is good, the plot is okayish, but the characters are unlovable. And I don't mind that if it was only so, but some of them are bland and boring to follow around. I kept wanting to skip what was happening to them and read only the detour mini-stories as they had substance, something I could chew, enjoy, and slowly digest. (No, not thinking about the cows again, more like cupcakes or banana pancakes. Bananananana is a great word. Pancakes too, with honey.) CD, the main protagonist, was a pathetic and love-struck puppy, and I get it, why there was this regular guy drawn into the mess, it is fun storytelling. Still, I would love him to have other personality trades than just following Rachel around, who is a dick, and pine over her. Then Sly, "the evil protagonist," had at least personality, but one-sided and then he goes and breaks it for the story's sake. The only one I loved was Zimmerman, even when he was an exaggerated caricature of a Vietnam veteran turned into a drug loving "hippy." He was the only one I would love to have a conversation with.

What to say, should you read this book or not? Despite the unlovable characters, I would say go ahead. This book has a lot of good and enjoyable parts. It has a slow start, so stick with it, but the ending and those detours will make up everything. I might say that this book is bittersweet in all aspects. You will get what I mean when you finish it. So, shoo, go and read it.

Thank you for reading! Have a lovely bananananana day!

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I have been a fan of Elton's television and stage work all my life, but I didn't love this. It felt very dated and was brimming with Australian stereotypes. The core themes of corporate world-domination and the ruination of the Earth through greed and unbridled consumerism were rendered comical (intentionally I assume) through the two dimensional characters that felt more like caricatures. Thankfully the last third of the book held my interest far more than the first two. This is when the 'Stark I have been a fan of Elton's television and stage work all my life, but I didn't love this. It felt very dated and was brimming with Australian stereotypes. The core themes of corporate world-domination and the ruination of the Earth through greed and unbridled consumerism were rendered comical (intentionally I assume) through the two dimensional characters that felt more like caricatures. Thankfully the last third of the book held my interest far more than the first two. This is when the 'Stark' plan was revealed and all the characters were forced together in the hopes of saving the world. What I can say is that I liked the ending. I think any other resolution would have felt contrived and naïve. Apparently there is a movie/series. Maybe Elton's writing will translate better on the screen. ...more

This book was constant activity, not in the sense of no brakes, rather, laugh per minute. No fun came from the endless exaggeration of the character or by the character. No tension wound by the Grand Scheme of the elitest fiends, nor unwound by the Joe Blough of oh-such low woe. I felt in need of a laughing parrot, that each effort towards inducement of percussive breathing be answered. I prefer that cringe thriller of his, Past Mortem. Mister T. Holt is the recent Absurdist delight. So I quit.

Oct 24, 2012 Lachlan Smith rated it really liked it

This is a brilliant first novel for well-known comedian Ben Elton, that deals with a topic as relevant now as it was then, in 1989. It deals heavily with the issue of pollution and the environment, however the theme cannot be said to be subtle or underlying. It is the main focus of the book, and everything revolves around the subject. But Elton is also capable of making intelligent, funny, acute comments on everyday things that I had not thought of before.
Despite the enthralling story, the only This is a brilliant first novel for well-known comedian Ben Elton, that deals with a topic as relevant now as it was then, in 1989. It deals heavily with the issue of pollution and the environment, however the theme cannot be said to be subtle or underlying. It is the main focus of the book, and everything revolves around the subject. But Elton is also capable of making intelligent, funny, acute comments on everyday things that I had not thought of before.
Despite the enthralling story, the only drawback I could see was the fact that Elton should have decided on exactly what he wanted his story to be first. As it is, it is torn between being a thriller, action, ecologically-driven narrative, humour or romance. Certainly, these things can work in one book, but I felt that in the case of "Stark" Ben Elton tried too many approaches.
Also, he often took a long time to explain things that were quite simple - often by using specific examples of things that did not need specific examples. For instance, when he explained that many dolphins were being caught up in new nylon nets (I just explained the whole concept in that sentence, whereas Elton took up ten paragraphs) he told us exactly who made the nets - Bill - , and even gave us the name of the first dolphin to be caught in the nets - Dave - neither characters returned after that, making the whole passage seem a little pointless. It seemed as though Elton added these odd little sequences in just to say something funny or witty, which I think he could have done more subtly. But this is not a real drawback, because it does give you a deeper understanding of the scale of the ecological destruction.
The first half is by far the hardest to read, as the plot at fist moves relatively slowly. But in the second half, the plot gains speed and you will not be able to put the book down.
Ben Elton's novel about a group "EcoAction Commandos" rising up against the world's richest people who have decided to leave the "lesser people" to their doom is at times funny, bleak, ironic and towards the end of the novel, heartbreaking. Also, the casual racism displayed by the West-Australian yobbos is very confronting (the novel is mainly set in Perth and the outback of WA, where the rich people are building their rather contradictory "Outback Leisure Complex").
The end of the novel also challenged the "happy ending" motif of most books, as it had an ending far, far, far from being happy. Although this was an interesting change of pace, I believe it left many many questions unanswered.
Despite its minor flaws, "Stark" is a thought-provoking, relevant, humorous and articulate first novel by Ben Elton, who has since written another 13 novels. I would recommend this to anybody who is concerned about the environment, but you need a strong stomach - some of the detail and coarse language isn't for the light-hearted. ...more

Love the ideas-- most have which actually come true-- and the premise, which is in no way unimaginable, especially at the current juncture.

I do find Elton's style irritating and overly clever. For a book to really grab me, the author has to love her/his characters (they don't have to be lovable, but their creator has to love them). Elton's voice comes across as so cynical, there's no real love or empathy.

That can work for a bit, but there has to be some underlying affection.

Otherwise, though, as

Love the ideas-- most have which actually come true-- and the premise, which is in no way unimaginable, especially at the current juncture.

That can work for a bit, but there has to be some underlying affection.

Otherwise, though, as a prediction for the world we live in, Stark is SPOT ON (and very scary)!.

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The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it reads like a script, is a little annoying.

Other than that, it's pure Elton. It's good ^^

The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it reads like a script, is a little annoying.

Other than that, it's pure Elton. It's good ^^

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Nov 27, 2018 Toni rated it it was amazing

I wrote the following review a decade ago, for my blog at the time. The novel was written two decades before that. Having just re-read the review to post here, I can't believe that we have arrived where we have in terms of climate change. And on a day when Sydney is experiencing what is becoming known as 'an extreme weather event'. How can we not have moved forward in 30 years? I despair for the human race. Although I wrote the last six words in the review below, and I did nothing but try to rec I wrote the following review a decade ago, for my blog at the time. The novel was written two decades before that. Having just re-read the review to post here, I can't believe that we have arrived where we have in terms of climate change. And on a day when Sydney is experiencing what is becoming known as 'an extreme weather event'. How can we not have moved forward in 30 years? I despair for the human race. Although I wrote the last six words in the review below, and I did nothing but try to recycle, stop using spray cans and cut down on plastics. Well THAT did a lot of good, didn't it.

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This book is great – 452 pages and I've read it three times over the last decade or so. Don't get me wrong – there's no deep literary value, no stirring language, no flights of poetic ascendency. It's just really funny, with boldly recognisable caricatured characters and an important message that is smashed over your head like a bottle in a celluloid bar.

As you read, you can hear every word in your head as if Ben Elton has set up a stage there and is gigging away to a full house. Lucky if you like Elton's style, not so lucky if it grates until your nerves are shredded. This effect is particularly pronounced during the 'filler' sections. This is what I call the short chapterettes that are squeezed between the narrative scenes. They're just basically hilarious diatribes by Elton about everything from the ozone layer:

The problem with the ozone layer is it is such a tiny, thin, gossamer layer, like a sheet of very soft loo paper. The difference being that with loo paper, one notices its absence immediately, because you're staggering about with your trousers around your ankles looking for an old magazine to use instead. With the ozone layer you don't even notice it's gone. Not, that is, until they're hacking the malignant melanomas off you.

through to Aussie advertising:

It tends to be abrupt and to the point. For instance, if a manufacturer has produced a sausage that he (or she) considers to be long and meaty, he will call the produce 'Long 'N' Meaty Saussies' and advertise it thus: "'Long 'N' Meaty Saussies", they're long and meaty (and they're saussies).' Half-way to the printers with the advertising copy, the manufacturer will realise that he has not pointed out that the saussies are Australian. He will immediately rename them 'Long 'N' Meaty Aussie Saussies' …

Like I said, not a lot for the grey matter to process, but on-the-button observational humour.

But these snippets are only additions. There is a substantial story here about the end of the world and an amoral consipiracy by the capitalist bastards that helped to hasten it, and their attempted escape from it. The plot involves a motley crew of hugely amusing characters …

CD (Colin) who has to be based on Ben Elton himself – a geeky yet semi-cool British codger living in Perth.

Rachel was played by the wonderful Jaqueline McKenzie in the mini-series.

Zimmerman, a veteran-turned-hippy who had his brains drug-frazzled and his balls blown off in Vietnam, but when the shit comes down he's the ultimate hero and, yes, a little bit sexy despite the hair.

Walter, Zimmerman's compadre and hippy who is built like a brick shithouse.

The Culboons, representative of the Aboriginal aspect of the story.

Chrissy, the standard Noo Yoick journalist who is on the run from murderers because she's worked out what's going on and the moral crime that is about to the committed on humanity.

Ocker Tyron, the typical Aussie bastard multi-billionaire tycoon, who's rough-as-guts and counts that as a plus in business.

Silvester (Sly) Moorcock, another Aussie bastard multi-billionaire tycoon but, unlike Tyron, his heart is still beating … enough to fall in love with the irreverant Rachel, at least.

I won't reveal the main plot line because I recommend this book to everyone I meet and don't want to spoil it. It's definitely dated now (written 1989), but my god the themes and subject matter is even more relevant today than it was then. The planet is dying, and we can't run away from that.

We have to do something.

Now.

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Apr 25, 2018 Peter Brooks rated it really liked it

I have been enjoying reading Ben Elton. I think it is the unfussy style, and the amusing characterisation mainly.

This book is very much of its time, 1989. Since it is so much so, it is an acute reminder of how much was going to change, so quickly.

I have been enjoying reading Ben Elton. I think it is the unfussy style, and the amusing characterisation mainly.

This book is very much of its time, 1989. Since it is so much so, it is an acute reminder of how much was going to change, so quickly.

The Soviet Union is still assumed to be a monolith that will last forever. Most people don't have portable telephones, hardly anybody has access to the Internet, and the World Wide Web is still far in the future. Climate change has yet to become a politically charged bore, and political correctness was still a minority, crank, affliction. To paraphrase the Virginia Slims advertisements, 'we've come a long way, Baby'.

It is difficult to be critical of such an excellent first novel, but if I were to be, it would be that he builds up the main idea of the novel too much. He made it out to be such a shocker that I was getting prepared for something quite radical, which made the actual conceit a bit of a let down.

Having characters so driven by their characteristics is amusing, and he does it well, and he also does well to counterbalance it with some individuality. Often, though, characters act too predictably, within character. I think he gets better at this in his later books.

I very much liked his attempt to show us what it is like to be a camel.

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Scary read this one. It starts funny but then becomes quite serious.
If I'd read it back in 1989, I would have thought 'what a wonderful story of what could happen in the future'.
Well, now we're in the future, and my how scarily close to actuality this story has become. OK, so there are no space craft taking billionaires away from the Earth, oh, hang on, there are... And we don't know Earth's dying date (or do we? Someone probably does), but 'The Government of Money' ruling the Earth over Natio Scary read this one. It starts funny but then becomes quite serious.
If I'd read it back in 1989, I would have thought 'what a wonderful story of what could happen in the future'.
Well, now we're in the future, and my how scarily close to actuality this story has become. OK, so there are no space craft taking billionaires away from the Earth, oh, hang on, there are... And we don't know Earth's dying date (or do we? Someone probably does), but 'The Government of Money' ruling the Earth over National Governments? Oh, I think we're there don't you???? I'm glad to have read this book at last, it has been sitting in my bookshelf forever, but it wasn't a fun light, entertaining read, not by a long-shot, and after the week I've just had (we found out we're being evicted and need to find somewhere else to live, during a Goddamn pandemic no less, just because our Landlady wants to live back in her house again (even though she has somewhere lovely to live already). There are people living in cars here in New Zealand at present. If we had to, I know my wife and I could, but not with our animals as well...and believe me, this is another example of how people with money forget those who don't.
Thanks for this Mr Elton, great writing as usual... ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Very funny yet very dark and scary. Basically the world is ending and a ragtag bunch of comedic individuals stumble upon a plot by the world's "elite" to pool their resources to do.. something. *spoiler*

They're pooling their resources to escape Earth. They wish to do so secretly to keep the masses from panicking.

It's simple enough, it makes sense, and it actually sounds scary accurate. Elton maybe oversells his characters at times, but the idea of the ultra-rich just being kinda conceited selfis

Very funny yet very dark and scary. Basically the world is ending and a ragtag bunch of comedic individuals stumble upon a plot by the world's "elite" to pool their resources to do.. something. *spoiler*

They're pooling their resources to escape Earth. They wish to do so secretly to keep the masses from panicking.

It's simple enough, it makes sense, and it actually sounds scary accurate. Elton maybe oversells his characters at times, but the idea of the ultra-rich just being kinda conceited selfish idiots looking out for themselves.. it doesn't seem a great stretch. Ditto the overall plot. Like, the book is pretty funny at times, none of it is overly serious, but underneath it all the plot seems more and more poignant as we stumble towards global catastrophe via capitalism and unchecked climate change.

A really solid read. It's not a perfect novel, Elton's characters are almost caricatures of themselves at times, but the plot secret keeps you going and the end reveal is both refreshing and realistic. Solid stuff.

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The first fiction book written by Ben Elton, first published in 1989. As a socialist, now in his mid forties, I loved Elton as a stand up comedian, especially his rants/comedy about the Thatcher government.

This is a story relevant more now than it was in the eighties, a consortium of the super rich, with more money than god, and the social conscience of a dog on a croquet lawn, come up with a solution to the greenhouse effect (now, obviously know as climate change). It has the wit and sarcasm you would expect from Elton and the characters and story line will keep you entertained from start to finish, my favourite personally was the back story and development of Zimmerman within the story.

The most relevant quote from the book, I my opinion is -'they had a sign saying smart dress which would have allowed Hitler in but barred Jesus for having a beard and wearing a dress'

If you're facing the richest and most disgusting scheme in history, you have to do more than stick up two fingers and say 'peace'

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If you are a fan of British comedy, sci-fi comedy in the vein of Douglas Adams, or just have a crazy sense of humor, and need a good laugh on the train ride to the next Green Party meeting, then I recommend this book. Sarcastic, full of dark humor and spot-on observations, the book revolves around a world conspiracy of super rich eco-sinners and their plot against the planet. Meanwhile, a small group of hippies, eco-activists and journalists attempt to uncover the truth.... and try to save the w If you are a fan of British comedy, sci-fi comedy in the vein of Douglas Adams, or just have a crazy sense of humor, and need a good laugh on the train ride to the next Green Party meeting, then I recommend this book. Sarcastic, full of dark humor and spot-on observations, the book revolves around a world conspiracy of super rich eco-sinners and their plot against the planet. Meanwhile, a small group of hippies, eco-activists and journalists attempt to uncover the truth.... and try to save the world!
It's hilarious, gripping, and full of action! Perfect reading for corona-lockdown 2.0, and it will enlighten and depress you about the environment, give you a good laugh, and get you off your ass for activism. Recommended for Eco-freaks, hippies, Aussies, Kangaroos, recovering conspiracy theorists, commuters, sci-fi fanatics, or 80's kids. Uptight pricks beware! This is not safe reading for Randites and capitalist pigs! ...more

Jan 02, 2019 Jo rated it liked it

Ben Elton never fails to take a contemporary topic, this time, climate change, pollution, corporate greed and manages to create a superb novel.

Stark is a secret consortium with more money than God, and the social conscience of a dog on a croquet lawn. What's more, it knows the Earth is dying.

Ben Elton never fails to take a contemporary topic, this time, climate change, pollution, corporate greed and manages to create a superb novel.

Stark is a secret consortium with more money than God, and the social conscience of a dog on a croquet lawn. What's more, it knows the Earth is dying.

Deep in Western Australia where the Aboriginals used to milk the trees, a planet-sized plot is taking shape. Some green freaks pick up the scent: a pommie poseur; a brain-fried Vietnam vet; Aboriginals who have lost their land...not much against a conspiracy that controls society. But EcoAction isn't in society: it just lives in the same place, along with the cockroaches.

If you're facing the richest and most disgusting scheme in history, you have to do more than stick up two fingers and say 'peace'.

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4/5 stars. As with many humorous novels, the jokes dry up towards the business end, but the first three quarters are steady. I felt the book was maybe 50-100 too drawn out, and the ending is about as bleak as they come, but it was an interesting and entertaining read, even if it wasn't what I expected when I decided my next read would be a Ben Elton - "Inconceivable" and "Dead Famous" were more flippant and trivial. This plot revolves revolves around the deeply disturbing and sombre notion that 4/5 stars. As with many humorous novels, the jokes dry up towards the business end, but the first three quarters are steady. I felt the book was maybe 50-100 too drawn out, and the ending is about as bleak as they come, but it was an interesting and entertaining read, even if it wasn't what I expected when I decided my next read would be a Ben Elton - "Inconceivable" and "Dead Famous" were more flippant and trivial. This plot revolves revolves around the deeply disturbing and sombre notion that the world is already too far gone to save, after the decades of uncaring abuse heaped upon it by mankind. It speaks for Elton's comic talents that he's able to even get a single joke out of such dark material! ...more

Jul 21, 2021 Yvonne Aburrow rated it really liked it

I read this in the summer of 1989 not long after it first came out, and it stayed with me. I was reminded of the book by seeing all these billionaires on space missions — in the case of Jeff Bezos, founded by exploiting his employees. I liked the characters — others have described them as not very well written but that's not really the point. The point is that here we are on an increasingly warming Earth, with 300 forest fires burning in British Columbia, fires that you can see from space, and n I read this in the summer of 1989 not long after it first came out, and it stayed with me. I was reminded of the book by seeing all these billionaires on space missions — in the case of Jeff Bezos, founded by exploiting his employees. I liked the characters — others have described them as not very well written but that's not really the point. The point is that here we are on an increasingly warming Earth, with 300 forest fires burning in British Columbia, fires that you can see from space, and numerous floods in Europe, China, and elsewhere, and billionaires are jetting off to space. ...more

Aug 06, 2021 Rebecca rated it liked it

Sometimes I like to revisit a book I loved when I was younger just to see if it or I have changed! This doesn't quite stand up to my earnest, newly environmentally aware teenage self who loved both the Young Ones and my new Greenpeace membership 😂.
It's still tons of fun and rips along, poorly edited in parts and with some descriptions of Aboriginal culture etc I doubt would make it past an editor these days. I'd say a great airport book to read if you want a page-turner and like Ben elton's sty Sometimes I like to revisit a book I loved when I was younger just to see if it or I have changed! This doesn't quite stand up to my earnest, newly environmentally aware teenage self who loved both the Young Ones and my new Greenpeace membership 😂.
It's still tons of fun and rips along, poorly edited in parts and with some descriptions of Aboriginal culture etc I doubt would make it past an editor these days. I'd say a great airport book to read if you want a page-turner and like Ben elton's style of comedy. ...more

Aug 23, 2021 Bennett rated it really liked it

Given the state of our environment, I think everybody should read this book. At least the first half. The second half is also good in my opinion, but for story alone and not as much for enlightenment. I'm appreciative that Elton mixes humor into his reflections on the depressing realities of our economy. Those narratives are brilliantly written.

I'll say though, it's inspiring me to get up and do something to fix our self-destructive system. Hopefully I'll do it more elegantly than EcoAction did.

Sep 23, 2021 Jo rated it it was amazing

Picked it up in an op shop over 20 years ago, attracted by the name 'Ben Elton' and the cover, which was a photograph of 'CD' and 'Zimmerman' from the mini-series and the words, 'When you've only got hours to save the world...only fools put their trust in a camel'. Since then I've read three paperback copies of this to falling-apart stage. Bucket list wish - get hold of an autographed hardback! Picked it up in an op shop over 20 years ago, attracted by the name 'Ben Elton' and the cover, which was a photograph of 'CD' and 'Zimmerman' from the mini-series and the words, 'When you've only got hours to save the world...only fools put their trust in a camel'. Since then I've read three paperback copies of this to falling-apart stage. Bucket list wish - get hold of an autographed hardback! ...more

Ben Elton was born on 3 May 1959, in Catford, South London. The youngest of four, he went to Godalming Grammar school, joined amateur dramatic societies and wrote his first play at 15. He wanted to be a stagehand at the local theatre, but instead did A-Level Theatre Studies and studied drama at Manchester University in 1977.

His career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memo

His career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memorable and incisive comedy of the past twenty years. His ground breaking work as a TV stand-up comedian set the (high) standard of what was to follow. He has received accolades for his hit TV sit-coms, The Young Ones, Blackadder and The Thin Blue Line.

More recently he has had successes with three hit West End musicals, including the global phenomenon We Will Rock You. He has written three plays for the London stage, including the multi-award-winning Popcorn. Ben's international bestselling novels include Stark, Inconceivable, Dead Famous and High Society. He won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award for the novel Popcorn.

Elton lives in Perth with his Aussie wife Sophie and three children.

...more

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