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Number Ten
Edward Clare, PM of England, doesn’t know the price of a liter of milk. Worse, he’s admitted it on national television. The public that ushered him to a landslide election has turned against him.
Edward decides the only way to get closer to the men and women on the street is to travel the country dressed in drag. Leaving his high-powered, ambitious wife to attend to things in his absence, he sets out.
In this comic romp Sue Townsend sends up, roasts, hoists and generally petards the once and future prime ministers as only she can.
Edward decides the only way to get closer to the men and women on the street is to travel the country dressed in drag. Leaving his high-powered, ambitious wife to attend to things in his absence, he sets out.
In this comic romp Sue Townsend sends up, roasts, hoists and generally petards the once and future prime ministers as only she can.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
64 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Sue Townsend
116 books941 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Susan Lillian "Sue" Townsend was a British novelist, best known as the author of the Adrian Mole series of books. Her writing tended to combine comedy with social commentary, though she has written purely dramatic works as well. She suffered from diabetes for many years, as a result of which she was registered blind in 2001, and had woven this theme into her work.
Susan Lillian "Sue" Townsend was a British novelist, best known as the author of the Adrian Mole series of books. Her writing tended to combine comedy with social commentary, though she has written purely dramatic works as well. She suffered from diabetes for many years, as a result of which she was registered blind in 2001, and had woven this theme into her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
April 16, 2011
I was sadly disappointed with this and didn't even finish it. Fortunately it was a freebie, a neighbour was moving and put a pile of books out for people to help themselves. :)
I loved the Adrian Mole series, or at least the earlier ones. I have to admit that I didn't read the later ones where Adrian has grown up. I also rather liked The Queen and I. But this novel didn't really seem to know what it was trying to say. Britain in 2003 wasn't such an awful place, not as far as I can remember, yet Sue Townsend seems determined to portray it at its worst. And I don't know what she was intending with Edward Clare's cross dressing. The idea of a ruler going out in disguise to see how things are in his kingdom is an old one and sending Blair, sorry Clare, on a tour of the country to reacquaint himself with how ordinary people live had a lot of potential for comedy and satire, but for me the book completely missed the mark. In particular I felt that the "comedy" arising from the fact that the PM is dressed as a woman and starting to enjoy wearing feminine clothes and makeup introduced some very problematical aspects. Another thing I particularly didn't like was Townsend's treatment of the Prime Minister's wife. Again Townsend was mocking things that, to me, aren't funny, namely things like mental illness and the problems of being an intelligent woman with confidence issues.
I loved the Adrian Mole series, or at least the earlier ones. I have to admit that I didn't read the later ones where Adrian has grown up. I also rather liked The Queen and I. But this novel didn't really seem to know what it was trying to say. Britain in 2003 wasn't such an awful place, not as far as I can remember, yet Sue Townsend seems determined to portray it at its worst. And I don't know what she was intending with Edward Clare's cross dressing. The idea of a ruler going out in disguise to see how things are in his kingdom is an old one and sending Blair, sorry Clare, on a tour of the country to reacquaint himself with how ordinary people live had a lot of potential for comedy and satire, but for me the book completely missed the mark. In particular I felt that the "comedy" arising from the fact that the PM is dressed as a woman and starting to enjoy wearing feminine clothes and makeup introduced some very problematical aspects. Another thing I particularly didn't like was Townsend's treatment of the Prime Minister's wife. Again Townsend was mocking things that, to me, aren't funny, namely things like mental illness and the problems of being an intelligent woman with confidence issues.
December 4, 2017
As always with Sue Townsend, it is very well observed. Although in this instance, the book is more clever than funny.
The author addresses many social issues: the state of the NHS: public transport: politicians with no knowledge of Socialism: inner city deprivation, the benefit system and the problem of crack cocaine.
Trying to be satirical about so many things, means that ultimately no subject is covered in any detail.
The characters are stereotypes, used to explore the issues, so again, no real connection is ever made with them.
The author addresses many social issues: the state of the NHS: public transport: politicians with no knowledge of Socialism: inner city deprivation, the benefit system and the problem of crack cocaine.
Trying to be satirical about so many things, means that ultimately no subject is covered in any detail.
The characters are stereotypes, used to explore the issues, so again, no real connection is ever made with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2024
Like a lot of Sue Townsend books, at the start it all seems to have the broad, flip, lazy 80s-90s British humour of Blackadder or French and Saunders or something, but then the much greater seriousness of purpose and character emerges out of that, and the humour gets funnier rather than less so as it becomes more depressive and angry. Also a timely reminder New Labour was completely terrible even before the Iraq war.
March 10, 2017
This book tells about Edward Clare and Jack Sprat, beginning with their childhood days. Edward’s mother dies when he’s only a boy. Jack Sprat comes from an extremely poor and disreputable family.
Edward becomes Prime Minister while Jack Sprat becomes a constable who works at 10. Downing Street, guarding him.
Edward’s wife, Adele, is highly intelligent and easily recognizable by her extraordinarily large nose. Edward is captivated by Adele’s “magnificent” nose. Unfortunately, she hears voices, on which psychotropic drugs have no effect.
Jack’s father and step-father were criminal and his brother Stuart had died of drugs.
Edward, as P.M., lives an upper-class life, while Jack’s Mum lives in a mess and neglects the poor budgie, Pete. Jack engages a young man, James, to take care of his mother and clean the house.
Edward decides he needs a break and he and Jack go off together to “see Britain in a week”, travelling by public transport. Jack acts as Edward’s escort. Since Edward’s face is so recognizable, he dresses as a woman, borrowing his wife Adele’s clothes and her wig; he is now Edwina. Edward applies “Pan stik”, whatever that is, lipstick and eye make-up to his face, so even Adele would not have recognized him.
We shift between following Edward and Jack on their tour of Britain, and Jack’s Mum, Norma, and her home help, James. Norma and James are now smoking marijuana, and James is flipping out.
Jack was so bright and precocious that when he was a child Norma couldn’t understand a word of the conversation between him and his brainy friends. She sometimes wondered if Jack was “quite right in the head”.
The PM buys a Marilyn Monroe wig and becomes a dishy blonde, though his disguise is not as convincing when the bristles on his face begin to appear.
Meanwhile, at home Adele stops taking her medicine. A man called Barry’s leg is being amputated and she is preoccupied with seeing to it that it gets an appropriate funeral. She also believes that warts are “holy” and should be accorded the same respect.
On his trip the PM gets to talk with the common people and sees the deplorable state the nation is in. At one point Edward has cause to be admitted to the casualty department of a hospital suspected of having a heart attack (with alarming symptoms he often has). There he gets the chance to see how ordinary Brits having acute health crises are treated. They need a trolley for Edward but none of the staff can find one, but Jack dons a white coat and soon finds two.
During the trip Edward visits Edinburgh, where he lived as a child, visits his sister and makes new discoveries about himself and who his real father is. Things are happening at Ten Downing Street too.
At one point Edward and Jack visit Jack’s Mum, Norma, and James.
“James said, ‘Where were you educated?’
‘At Cambridge,’ said the Prime Minister, lowering his eyes modestly.
‘Well, it ain’t done you much good, has it?’ said James. ‘Look at the state you’re in. You ain’t a man, you ain’t a woman, you ain’t no class, what are you?
The Prime Minister adjusted his wig and ran a hand over his bristly chin.’”
Like Sue Townsend’s other works, this is a hilarious book, critically appraising the British and their country. I didn’t quite understand the point of the ending – perhaps it meant that freedom is dangerous.
Edward becomes Prime Minister while Jack Sprat becomes a constable who works at 10. Downing Street, guarding him.
Edward’s wife, Adele, is highly intelligent and easily recognizable by her extraordinarily large nose. Edward is captivated by Adele’s “magnificent” nose. Unfortunately, she hears voices, on which psychotropic drugs have no effect.
Jack’s father and step-father were criminal and his brother Stuart had died of drugs.
Edward, as P.M., lives an upper-class life, while Jack’s Mum lives in a mess and neglects the poor budgie, Pete. Jack engages a young man, James, to take care of his mother and clean the house.
Edward decides he needs a break and he and Jack go off together to “see Britain in a week”, travelling by public transport. Jack acts as Edward’s escort. Since Edward’s face is so recognizable, he dresses as a woman, borrowing his wife Adele’s clothes and her wig; he is now Edwina. Edward applies “Pan stik”, whatever that is, lipstick and eye make-up to his face, so even Adele would not have recognized him.
We shift between following Edward and Jack on their tour of Britain, and Jack’s Mum, Norma, and her home help, James. Norma and James are now smoking marijuana, and James is flipping out.
Jack was so bright and precocious that when he was a child Norma couldn’t understand a word of the conversation between him and his brainy friends. She sometimes wondered if Jack was “quite right in the head”.
The PM buys a Marilyn Monroe wig and becomes a dishy blonde, though his disguise is not as convincing when the bristles on his face begin to appear.
Meanwhile, at home Adele stops taking her medicine. A man called Barry’s leg is being amputated and she is preoccupied with seeing to it that it gets an appropriate funeral. She also believes that warts are “holy” and should be accorded the same respect.
On his trip the PM gets to talk with the common people and sees the deplorable state the nation is in. At one point Edward has cause to be admitted to the casualty department of a hospital suspected of having a heart attack (with alarming symptoms he often has). There he gets the chance to see how ordinary Brits having acute health crises are treated. They need a trolley for Edward but none of the staff can find one, but Jack dons a white coat and soon finds two.
During the trip Edward visits Edinburgh, where he lived as a child, visits his sister and makes new discoveries about himself and who his real father is. Things are happening at Ten Downing Street too.
At one point Edward and Jack visit Jack’s Mum, Norma, and James.
“James said, ‘Where were you educated?’
‘At Cambridge,’ said the Prime Minister, lowering his eyes modestly.
‘Well, it ain’t done you much good, has it?’ said James. ‘Look at the state you’re in. You ain’t a man, you ain’t a woman, you ain’t no class, what are you?
The Prime Minister adjusted his wig and ran a hand over his bristly chin.’”
Like Sue Townsend’s other works, this is a hilarious book, critically appraising the British and their country. I didn’t quite understand the point of the ending – perhaps it meant that freedom is dangerous.
December 15, 2012
I read this book quite a while ago but I found it very funny at the time and I found that she touched very close to describing certain politicians of the time. I could picture exactly who she was talking about and it was so true especially as she managed to rip off their characters and make them look so comical. Very well executed...
December 28, 2019
Everytime I read another Townsend book, I feel sad that at some point soon, there will be no more left to read.
Like all of her other books, this was a joy to read. A parody of the Blair years, a comic reminder of the UK under a Labour government. It's hard to read this without having a smile on your face.
The characters are great. I loved Jack Sprat, who rose from a life of Crime to become a Policeman. Edward made a great Tony Blair, I loved the cross dressing aspect. And Cherie...I mean Adele and her quest for a new nose was perfect.
I can recommend Sue Townsend's books enough. I wish I had ventured from the Adrian Mole series sooner.
Like all of her other books, this was a joy to read. A parody of the Blair years, a comic reminder of the UK under a Labour government. It's hard to read this without having a smile on your face.
The characters are great. I loved Jack Sprat, who rose from a life of Crime to become a Policeman. Edward made a great Tony Blair, I loved the cross dressing aspect. And Cherie...I mean Adele and her quest for a new nose was perfect.
I can recommend Sue Townsend's books enough. I wish I had ventured from the Adrian Mole series sooner.
October 1, 2018
I know Sue Townsend mainly for her books on Adrien Mole (should re-read those!) and for her more recent book 'The woman who stayed in bed for a year". In Number 10 she does what she is good at: writing a mesmerizing story that takes you with it into the lifes of somewhat disturbed (inwardly, never on the outside!) people. In the case of Number ten those people are Edward, the Prime Minister who's fallen out of touch with his people, and Jack, the policeman that is guarding the door the day Edward decides to rediscover Brittain / England. Together they embark on a trip down memory lane (for Edward, that is). Because Edward cannot travel as himself - that would defeat the purpose of the trip - he joyously dresses himself in his wife's clothes, and Jack and 'Edwina' take the tube 'n train (aka public transport) to visit several places in England that Eward hope will give him the answers he so desperately needs.
Right from the start they took me into their lives. I was fascinated by the way they looked at the world around them, each coloured by their personal history. In a week that wasn't my best they helped me escape my own live and enter the (not so) fictional world of England with its priviliges and outcasts. Humourous, with a sharp tone. Just the way Townsend gives live to her ideas.
Recommended!
Right from the start they took me into their lives. I was fascinated by the way they looked at the world around them, each coloured by their personal history. In a week that wasn't my best they helped me escape my own live and enter the (not so) fictional world of England with its priviliges and outcasts. Humourous, with a sharp tone. Just the way Townsend gives live to her ideas.
Recommended!
February 25, 2012
Just as she did with royalty in The Queen and I (which I only vaguely remember), Townsend now turns her satiric pen to the Prime Minister. Edward Clare, obviously meant to represent Tony Blair, is a well-intentioned but ineffective PM, accused by his critics of having no particular politics and far removed from the average British citizen. So he goes on a week’s adventure: dressed in his wife’s clothes, accompanied by PC Jack Sprat, he goes on a road trip and is introduced to the joys of public transport, public health care, poverty, library closings, single mothers, and crack addiction.
Townsend is obviously very clever, and most of the time the book is highly amusing, full of absurdity, ready wit and subtle jibes. It also gets serious on at least two occasions: dealing with the lack of opportunities for poor working parents and the epidemic of crack addiction. There are also interesting subplots involving the PM’s rapidly socialist-leaning son and his psychotic wife. I was disappointed, then, when the book ended rather abruptly, leaving many questions about the PM’s family unanswered. Well, I suppose that’s a slice of life for you.
Townsend is obviously very clever, and most of the time the book is highly amusing, full of absurdity, ready wit and subtle jibes. It also gets serious on at least two occasions: dealing with the lack of opportunities for poor working parents and the epidemic of crack addiction. There are also interesting subplots involving the PM’s rapidly socialist-leaning son and his psychotic wife. I was disappointed, then, when the book ended rather abruptly, leaving many questions about the PM’s family unanswered. Well, I suppose that’s a slice of life for you.
May 21, 2008
What a load of old toss.
Townsend upset me on page two, when she revealed her dire knowledge of a city she was setting part of a story in. I'm quite baffled as to why she bothered to write this book - I can't even be bothered writing a review, it was that awful.
I persevered for loyalty to my sister, who believes that Townsend is the best thing since Roger Hargreaves. I love my sister a lot, but she has bad bad judgement. (She fancies Jack in EastEnders, that should've given me a wee clue.)
Unbelieveably poor. Don't waste your time. And don't think it'll redeem itself - it won't.
Townsend upset me on page two, when she revealed her dire knowledge of a city she was setting part of a story in. I'm quite baffled as to why she bothered to write this book - I can't even be bothered writing a review, it was that awful.
I persevered for loyalty to my sister, who believes that Townsend is the best thing since Roger Hargreaves. I love my sister a lot, but she has bad bad judgement. (She fancies Jack in EastEnders, that should've given me a wee clue.)
Unbelieveably poor. Don't waste your time. And don't think it'll redeem itself - it won't.
January 5, 2016
Number 10: a novel
This book is so funny - obviously based on a Prime Minister from our very close past. He decided to go around to meet 'his people' incognito - in drag. Hilarious. Sue Townsend is an excellent story teller
This book is so funny - obviously based on a Prime Minister from our very close past. He decided to go around to meet 'his people' incognito - in drag. Hilarious. Sue Townsend is an excellent story teller
July 22, 2022
Good idea and very humurous but a bit chaotic.
December 9, 2019
Considering there is an general election happening in the UK at the moment, I thought it time to read this as it’s been sat on my bookshelf for a while.
A satire and comedic take on politics that closely follows two characters. We swap between the Prime Minister Edward Clare, who seems to be loosely based on Tony Blair and policemen and door guard of Number 10 - Jack Sprat.
Personally I enjoyed Jacks sections more than Edwards. Maybe because the storylines were more relatable? The general theme of the book is Edward trying to get back in touch with the British public and be able to relate to their hardships. To do this he decides to go incognito which brings its own level of humour in how it’s done. We then experience a rather varied road trip of Britain.
It’s not all light and levity. This book does explore the darker areas of the human condition including poverty and drug abuse and told in a tasteful way.
So why only the 3 stars you ask? There were a couple sections, the end especially that seemed rushed. I felt the last parts of the story for both of our main characters were not fully resolved. For me I would like to have seen Jack get a more fleshed out ending.
I would recommend this if you want a comedic insight into British politics. Not my favourite read of the year, but not bad either and was nice to have a change of genre.
A satire and comedic take on politics that closely follows two characters. We swap between the Prime Minister Edward Clare, who seems to be loosely based on Tony Blair and policemen and door guard of Number 10 - Jack Sprat.
Personally I enjoyed Jacks sections more than Edwards. Maybe because the storylines were more relatable? The general theme of the book is Edward trying to get back in touch with the British public and be able to relate to their hardships. To do this he decides to go incognito which brings its own level of humour in how it’s done. We then experience a rather varied road trip of Britain.
It’s not all light and levity. This book does explore the darker areas of the human condition including poverty and drug abuse and told in a tasteful way.
So why only the 3 stars you ask? There were a couple sections, the end especially that seemed rushed. I felt the last parts of the story for both of our main characters were not fully resolved. For me I would like to have seen Jack get a more fleshed out ending.
I would recommend this if you want a comedic insight into British politics. Not my favourite read of the year, but not bad either and was nice to have a change of genre.
July 29, 2021
2.5*. I've bumped it up to 3 because despite it being firmly "of its time" ie in the last gasp of funny bearded transvestites used as a comic trope being mercifully deemed crass and disrespectful.... despite having to push through stereotype queasiness... it was... shhh... pretty fun matching up the made up names with the government I grew up under. Malcolm Black = Gordon Brown etc. And, y'know, the mannerisms were, y'know, tickling. So a good read for holiday which I'd think twice about recommending.
August 24, 2025
Just wonderful! A fabulous summer read and it was great to be reminded what a super writer Sue Townsend is. She isn’t ‘great’, in the sense of the Brontë and Dickens, but the stories she weaves about modern (and not so modern) Britain, are just as powerful. The wry observations she makes, contains lessons for us all and modern politicians would not be wasting their time in taking a read of this.
I am a huge fan of Tom Sharpe and his wit and observations and I do believe that Sue Townsend achieves what he did.
I am a huge fan of Tom Sharpe and his wit and observations and I do believe that Sue Townsend achieves what he did.
August 19, 2017
Skvela politicka satira. u me ale v tomto zanru i madale vede Jiste, pane ministre 🙂
June 7, 2019
I love Sue Townsend's kindly wit and saucy humour. Whilst this isn't her funniest novel, it still made me laugh. I will never look at Tony Blair/Edward Clare in quite the same way again!
February 6, 2020
Hilarious. An enjoyable read. Author Sue Townsend is a wizard in the art of gentle (and not so gentle) satire. I found this to be a touching story while at the same time Laugh-out-Loud funny.
September 25, 2025
I loved Adrian Mole so this was up my ally. Even the swan that could break a mans arm was in it…..
November 23, 2017
2.5 stars
April 7, 2018
"Myslím, že je úžasné, jak to se svým zrakovým postižením zvládáte, Rosemary."
"Ale prosím vás, říkejte tomu slepota," skočila jí do řeči Rosemary. "Co vážně nesnáším, je ta vyhýbavá politická korektnost. Jsem slepá, pro Krista Pána! Jsem slepá!"
(...)
A baronesa Hollyoaksová, pamětliva skutečnosti, že Rosemary nemá ráda politickou korektnost, se otázala: "Slyšela jsem, Rosemary, že jste se podruhé vdala, tentokrát za Jihoafričana. Není to negr?"
Britský premiér Edward Clare to myslí dobře, ale dost narazí, když v jedné politické debatě bez přemýšlení odpoví, že samozřejmě jezdí vlakem, že jedním jel zrovna minulý týden, ale nedojde mu, že na něho novináři vyšťourají, že vlakem v poslední době jel jenom s mašinkou čů-čů s dětmi na pouti. Před posměchem se premiér rozhodně dočasně utéct do ústraní. V převleku za přestárlou ženou se vydává se svým překvapivě bystrým bodyguardem na tajnou cestu po Anglii, aby zjistil, jak si obyčejný anglický lid žije.
Sue Towsendová, slavná autorka tajných deníků Adriana Molea, napsala na počátku tisíciletí tuhletu satirickou věc. Stejně jako Adrian Mole je i tohle dobrá bžunda, akorát tady samozřejmě pořádně tepe do společenských a dalších problémů Británie. Zaměřuje se na "obyčejné lidi", konkrétně tedy na chudší vrstvy, a ačkoliv ukazuje i tu divočejší část s lupiči a drogovými dealery, je jasné, že je autorka politicky hodně nalevo. Celou knížku vlastně britský premiér dostává sežrat, co všechno způsobil (i když těžko říct, jestli je to jeho vina), a hlavním tématem je vlastně to, jak jsou politici odtržení od obyčejných starostí pracujícího lidu. To mi tolik nevadilo, i když v podání Towsendové teda vypadá Velká Británie jako depresivnější místo než bratislavský nádraží.
Spíš mi vadilo, že knize chybí pořádná katarze či povedenější finále. Je to spíše sled vtipných situací, z nichž některé už jsou zatraceně absurdní (například manželka premiéra si stojí za tím, že se musí s velkou parádou pohřbít amputovaná noha syna její služebné, protože si myslí, že se tím zavděčí obyčejnému lidu). Ale Towsendová píše skvěle, takže je to nakonec velmi dobrá zábava.
Sedm transvestických premiérů z deseti.
"Ale prosím vás, říkejte tomu slepota," skočila jí do řeči Rosemary. "Co vážně nesnáším, je ta vyhýbavá politická korektnost. Jsem slepá, pro Krista Pána! Jsem slepá!"
(...)
A baronesa Hollyoaksová, pamětliva skutečnosti, že Rosemary nemá ráda politickou korektnost, se otázala: "Slyšela jsem, Rosemary, že jste se podruhé vdala, tentokrát za Jihoafričana. Není to negr?"
Britský premiér Edward Clare to myslí dobře, ale dost narazí, když v jedné politické debatě bez přemýšlení odpoví, že samozřejmě jezdí vlakem, že jedním jel zrovna minulý týden, ale nedojde mu, že na něho novináři vyšťourají, že vlakem v poslední době jel jenom s mašinkou čů-čů s dětmi na pouti. Před posměchem se premiér rozhodně dočasně utéct do ústraní. V převleku za přestárlou ženou se vydává se svým překvapivě bystrým bodyguardem na tajnou cestu po Anglii, aby zjistil, jak si obyčejný anglický lid žije.
Sue Towsendová, slavná autorka tajných deníků Adriana Molea, napsala na počátku tisíciletí tuhletu satirickou věc. Stejně jako Adrian Mole je i tohle dobrá bžunda, akorát tady samozřejmě pořádně tepe do společenských a dalších problémů Británie. Zaměřuje se na "obyčejné lidi", konkrétně tedy na chudší vrstvy, a ačkoliv ukazuje i tu divočejší část s lupiči a drogovými dealery, je jasné, že je autorka politicky hodně nalevo. Celou knížku vlastně britský premiér dostává sežrat, co všechno způsobil (i když těžko říct, jestli je to jeho vina), a hlavním tématem je vlastně to, jak jsou politici odtržení od obyčejných starostí pracujícího lidu. To mi tolik nevadilo, i když v podání Towsendové teda vypadá Velká Británie jako depresivnější místo než bratislavský nádraží.
Spíš mi vadilo, že knize chybí pořádná katarze či povedenější finále. Je to spíše sled vtipných situací, z nichž některé už jsou zatraceně absurdní (například manželka premiéra si stojí za tím, že se musí s velkou parádou pohřbít amputovaná noha syna její služebné, protože si myslí, že se tím zavděčí obyčejnému lidu). Ale Towsendová píše skvěle, takže je to nakonec velmi dobrá zábava.
Sedm transvestických premiérů z deseti.
October 6, 2013
Edward Clare ist der Premierminister von Großbritannien. Verheiratet mit der intelligentesten Frau des Landes und Vater von drei Kindern, macht er sich viele Gedanken über die politischen Zustände in Afrika. Leider hat er überhaupt keine Ahnung was seine Bürger bewegt oder wie sie leben, seine Ratgeber sind ja in einer ähnlich privilegierten Stellung wie er selber. Als Edward sich auf einer Pressekonferenz lächerlich macht, beschließt er eine Woche abzutauchen und durch England zu reisen. Er bedient sich aus dem Kleiderschrank seiner Gemahlin und verlässt so unerkannt seinen Amtssitz in Begleitung des Polizisten Jack Sprat.
In dieser Satire wird der englischen Gesellschaft ein Spiegel vorgehalten. Die Idee, ist sicher nicht neu aber von Sue Townsend clever und witzig umgesetzt. Welcher Politiker benutzt schon regelmäßig die öffentlichen Verkehrsbetriebe, oder muss sich mit dem Gesundheitssystem am eigenen Leib ohne den Status des Privatpatienten auseinandersetzen? Kann es sein, dass es schwieriger ist 10 Pfund zu organisieren als Millionen? Natürlich wurde hier böse überspitzt und mancher wird denken „Ach, das ist typisch England“, aber vielleicht bleibt dem einen oder anderen Leser auch einmal das Lachen ein klein wenig im Hals sitzen. Dem fiktiven Premier Edward wird nichts erspart und so wird er mit Gewalt, Crack, Krankheit, sozialen Abgründen und seiner eigenen Familiengeschichte konfrontiert. Sein Begleiter Jack Sprat ist ein Polizist, der aus einer kriminellen Familie stammt und Edward bzw. ‚Edwina‘ durch seine Abenteuer führt.
Nach der Lektüre des Buches wünscht man sich, unsere Spitzenpolitiker würden die Idee aufgreifen und ihren Urlaub einmal sinnvoll verbringen. Sue Townsend konnte mich schon mit den Tagebüchern des Adrian Mole und ihrer Reihe um das abgesetzte britische Königshaus begeistern und hat mich auch diesmal nicht enttäuscht.
In dieser Satire wird der englischen Gesellschaft ein Spiegel vorgehalten. Die Idee, ist sicher nicht neu aber von Sue Townsend clever und witzig umgesetzt. Welcher Politiker benutzt schon regelmäßig die öffentlichen Verkehrsbetriebe, oder muss sich mit dem Gesundheitssystem am eigenen Leib ohne den Status des Privatpatienten auseinandersetzen? Kann es sein, dass es schwieriger ist 10 Pfund zu organisieren als Millionen? Natürlich wurde hier böse überspitzt und mancher wird denken „Ach, das ist typisch England“, aber vielleicht bleibt dem einen oder anderen Leser auch einmal das Lachen ein klein wenig im Hals sitzen. Dem fiktiven Premier Edward wird nichts erspart und so wird er mit Gewalt, Crack, Krankheit, sozialen Abgründen und seiner eigenen Familiengeschichte konfrontiert. Sein Begleiter Jack Sprat ist ein Polizist, der aus einer kriminellen Familie stammt und Edward bzw. ‚Edwina‘ durch seine Abenteuer führt.
Nach der Lektüre des Buches wünscht man sich, unsere Spitzenpolitiker würden die Idee aufgreifen und ihren Urlaub einmal sinnvoll verbringen. Sue Townsend konnte mich schon mit den Tagebüchern des Adrian Mole und ihrer Reihe um das abgesetzte britische Königshaus begeistern und hat mich auch diesmal nicht enttäuscht.
March 22, 2013
I ended up being a bit disappointed with this - I missed the humour from 'The Queen and I' and found the charcters a bit too one-dimensional. I don't...more I ended up being a bit disappointed with this - I missed the humour from 'The Queen and I' and found the charcters a bit too one-dimensional. I don't really understand why Edward chooses the disguise he did and, conversely, why that didn't lead to a lot more humour. The blurb about the book states that the Prime Minister finds out about life in the real world, but I'm not sure that is really reflected in the story. I also hated the ending and what happened to Pete - no need for that :( So overall, a vaguely entertaining read for a couple of days, but one that I wouldn't bother returning too in the future.
August 2, 2016
A quirky and unusual novel about an unloved British Prime Minister who decides to dress in drag and tour the country to get an idea of the realities the common man faces.
It's a weird storyline full of weird characters, odd situations and strange sub plots but somehow it all works and is quite an interesting book (maybe because it is so weird), unfortunately the overall enjoyment is somewhat tarnished by the rather abrupt ending.
It's a weird storyline full of weird characters, odd situations and strange sub plots but somehow it all works and is quite an interesting book (maybe because it is so weird), unfortunately the overall enjoyment is somewhat tarnished by the rather abrupt ending.
February 25, 2023
Despite how much the setting has aged, New Labour is long dead in the third decade of the 21st century, there is still a great deal to be found in this excellent piece of political satire. It also illustrates how far we haven’t come in 20+ years. The themes of poverty and social mobility, of racism and immigration, still feel very current. And Townsend cuts through it all with hilarious sharp wit.
June 13, 2012
This has to be one of the best books I have read in ages, I laughed so much my sides hurt! OMG! I just read the other reviesw for this book and it seems not many liked it? I guess some people just do not hav a sense of humor!
February 18, 2009
An amusing tale of a new labour prime minister who goes undercover as a woman to get in touch with his people.
True to life and politically correct ;)
True to life and politically correct ;)
December 24, 2017
And here I thought Queen Camilla was bad. My god, what a waste of time this one is.
Don't read it. Just... don't
Don't read it. Just... don't
March 8, 2018
I'm glad this was an audio book. I probably would not have finished it. pretty dumb.
October 28, 2025
I’m feeling quite conflicted about this book. While I was actively reading it, I was reasonably engaged — the writing is witty and the premise is quirky enough to keep curiosity ticking along. But the moment I set it down, I found myself absolutely dreading picking it back up. It’s such a strange push-and-pull reaction, like my brain was enjoying it, but my heart wasn’t convinced.
I should have known what I was getting myself into, given the setup: the Prime Minister sneaks out in disguise to discover what the public really thinks of him. Politics was always going to be centre stage. The trouble is, I’m not politically minded at all. I’m the last person who should be trying to decode political satire. The jokes and references come thick and fast, but because I didn’t recognise most of them, I could feel the humour just whizzing straight past me. It’s hard to laugh at something when you’re not entirely sure what the laugh is about.
There were also far too many fleeting characters. Someone would appear, get a whole moment to themselves, and then promptly disappear again as if they’d stumbled into the wrong story. It made the book feel oddly bitty, like flicking through TV channels where every programme is mid-episode. I get that Townsend was trying to show different cross-sections of society, but I lost track of who mattered and who didn’t.
And then there are those two bizarre entities watching everything from afar — almost god-like narrators? Guardians? I never really got a handle on what they were, why they were there, or how they could see all of it. Every time they appeared, I felt like I’d wandered into an entirely different genre.
The ending didn’t do anything to win me back either — wildly abrupt, surprisingly empty, and it offered no real payoff for the Prime Minister or Jack. Considering we spent the most time with them, the lack of closure was incredibly frustrating. It all just fizzled out when I was waiting for something meaningful to click into place.
All that said, I do think this would appeal more to readers who love political humour and are familiar with the real-world context beneath the jokes. They’ll likely find it clever and playful in a way I simply couldn’t access. For me, the satire was too tangled up in references I didn’t grasp, leaving the rest of the story feeling hollow.
Not a disaster by any means — Townsend has a sharp, intelligent voice — but this one definitely wasn’t for me.
I should have known what I was getting myself into, given the setup: the Prime Minister sneaks out in disguise to discover what the public really thinks of him. Politics was always going to be centre stage. The trouble is, I’m not politically minded at all. I’m the last person who should be trying to decode political satire. The jokes and references come thick and fast, but because I didn’t recognise most of them, I could feel the humour just whizzing straight past me. It’s hard to laugh at something when you’re not entirely sure what the laugh is about.
There were also far too many fleeting characters. Someone would appear, get a whole moment to themselves, and then promptly disappear again as if they’d stumbled into the wrong story. It made the book feel oddly bitty, like flicking through TV channels where every programme is mid-episode. I get that Townsend was trying to show different cross-sections of society, but I lost track of who mattered and who didn’t.
And then there are those two bizarre entities watching everything from afar — almost god-like narrators? Guardians? I never really got a handle on what they were, why they were there, or how they could see all of it. Every time they appeared, I felt like I’d wandered into an entirely different genre.
The ending didn’t do anything to win me back either — wildly abrupt, surprisingly empty, and it offered no real payoff for the Prime Minister or Jack. Considering we spent the most time with them, the lack of closure was incredibly frustrating. It all just fizzled out when I was waiting for something meaningful to click into place.
All that said, I do think this would appeal more to readers who love political humour and are familiar with the real-world context beneath the jokes. They’ll likely find it clever and playful in a way I simply couldn’t access. For me, the satire was too tangled up in references I didn’t grasp, leaving the rest of the story feeling hollow.
Not a disaster by any means — Townsend has a sharp, intelligent voice — but this one definitely wasn’t for me.
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