How I acquired this book?
I chuckled at David Mitchell’s jokes when he was on a chat show on TV, and I received the book as a Christmas gift, perplexed at first that I’d been bought a book written by a comedian. Miserable hermit that I am, I don’t think I’d ever read such, but I was looking forward to giving it a try.

What is this book?
I supposed I expected a humorous take on the book, but I didn’t actually know what its contents would cover. Dishonesty is the Second Best Policy (DSBP) is not a memoir or necessarily an autobiography – it’s a commentary on life, changing attitudes in the 21st century, David Mitchell’s rather personal opinions, and the political situation in the United Kingdom. I’d say it’s most similar to a satirical political reflection.

Is it good?
I wouldn’t say it definitely has to depend too much on your political beliefs whether you can enjoy listening to David Mitchell or reading the contents of the book. I like to think I’m open-minded enough to agree and disagree with equal measure – it didn’t stop me laughing and it didn’t stop me appreciating the author’s point of view. I began reading with a wry grin at first, and some sentences weren’t easy to wrap my head around – I had to picture the author saying it.

Not being well versed with politics, I took much of what has happened in the last 10 years at face value, and became acquainted with ‘new’ events, and the book did this superbly. Every time I was spotted reading it, I remember smiling at whatever passage I was reading, and sometimes it became too much and I was in a fit of laughter.

Conclusion
I had the sincere belief I was reading something heretical or written by a Renaissance man – of somebody born in the wrong century who is forced to live among customs that he doesn’t agree with, which makes me laugh as I write this, so it’s testament to the enjoyment I gained from DSBP. I’m curious about David Mitchell’s other books now, and I’ve confidence they’ll be worth chuckling over.