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Family Politics
All across Britain, a generation of grown-up children are graduating from university, moving back in to their old bedrooms and showing their gratitude by berating their parents for their out-of-date politics. But for proud and high-profile left-wingers Emma and Eddie Hughes, the return of their only child is a far greater challenge than they ever could have anticipated.
Young Dylan had warned them there was something personal he needed to tell them, but nothing could have prepared his right-on parents for the shocking revelation he delivers. Their son is a Conservative.
With his customary warm-hearted wit and razor-sharp political satire, John O’Farrell delivers another hilarious and entertaining dissection of the zeitgeist and offers a funny and insightful antidote to our divided times.
Young Dylan had warned them there was something personal he needed to tell them, but nothing could have prepared his right-on parents for the shocking revelation he delivers. Their son is a Conservative.
With his customary warm-hearted wit and razor-sharp political satire, John O’Farrell delivers another hilarious and entertaining dissection of the zeitgeist and offers a funny and insightful antidote to our divided times.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2024
106 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
John O'Farrell
54 books194 followersJohn O'Farrell is the author of four novels: The Man Who Forgot His Wife, May Contain Nuts, This Is Your Life and The Best a Man Can Get. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages and have been adapted for radio and television. He has also written two best-selling history books: An Utterly Impartial History of Britain and An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain, as well as a political memoir, Things Can Only Get Better and three collections of his column in The Guardian. A former comedy scriptwriter for such productions as Spitting Image, Room 101, Murder Most Horrid and Chicken Run, he is founder of the satirical website NewsBiscuit and can occasionally be spotted on such TV programmes as Grumpy Old Men, Question Time and Have I Got News for You.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
March 20, 2024
So you're a socialist to the core. You've struggled to get the best for your son your whole life. You've tried to instil your core Labour values of decency, acceptance, fairness and ... oh yeah, smash the Tories.
So what happens when the apple of your eye comes home from his privileged Oxford University education and tells you -- he's true blue.
Nightmare right? Emma Hughes has no idea just how bad it's going to get. It's a phase surely? It's rebelling against your parents? We've all done it. But when he's already an adult, when will son, Dylan, grow out of it?
John O'Farrell has written a wonderfully funny novel about family rifts, politics, fighting for what you think is right (or maybe just fighting for the sake of it). We've even got a divisive ex-Brexiteer, Norman Skelton who is swooping in to lead the Tories to victory. It's Emma's worst nightmare especially when she's hoping Eddie will be the next MP for Hastings so she can have some peace and quiet.
Finally, a "political" novel I enjoyed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Transworld for the advance review copy.
So what happens when the apple of your eye comes home from his privileged Oxford University education and tells you -- he's true blue.
Nightmare right? Emma Hughes has no idea just how bad it's going to get. It's a phase surely? It's rebelling against your parents? We've all done it. But when he's already an adult, when will son, Dylan, grow out of it?
John O'Farrell has written a wonderfully funny novel about family rifts, politics, fighting for what you think is right (or maybe just fighting for the sake of it). We've even got a divisive ex-Brexiteer, Norman Skelton who is swooping in to lead the Tories to victory. It's Emma's worst nightmare especially when she's hoping Eddie will be the next MP for Hastings so she can have some peace and quiet.
Finally, a "political" novel I enjoyed.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Transworld for the advance review copy.
April 25, 2024
There was more to dislike here than like. O'Farrell's been recycling his jokes for years and Dylan's voice in this sounds like how older people imagine young people talk, which grates. The ending was mushy, too.
July 18, 2024
No plot, a few recurring ‘jokes’ which really weren’t funny, can’t understand the hype about this one. So the parents are Labour voters and the son is a Tory. Will they or won’t they intercept his postal vote? Who cares?
August 8, 2024
An over-egged pudding
March 4, 2025
A light little comedy read I’ve been eyeing up for ages, and one I really enjoyed. The situations Emma kept finding herself in were really funny and satirical, and I found myself rooting for her and Dylan throughout. Thought Eddie was a total knob. There was some really interesting parallels, and the book really gives you lots to think about in terms of political differences. However, I will still say, Fuck the Tories.
April 17, 2024
This was political satire done well, with a very enjoyable premise and with subtle details which really added to certain moments being actually quite amusing. I did enjoy the internal monologue of Emma, and felt her character development was done quite well.
That being said, this felt like it overused key lines and moments, and by the end felt that it had become a bit predictable and repetitive. Think it needed either another major plot moment or shortening by losing some of the filler. Overall very funny read though.
That being said, this felt like it overused key lines and moments, and by the end felt that it had become a bit predictable and repetitive. Think it needed either another major plot moment or shortening by losing some of the filler. Overall very funny read though.
Read
April 26, 2024Funny! Emma and Eddie are horrified when their son comes back from uni and announces he is a Tory. Especially difficult as Eddie is hoping to be chosen as the next Labour candidate for the region.
Emma was a very funny character, lots of jokes and farcical situations but it also made me cry at one part about family. Enjoyed!
Emma was a very funny character, lots of jokes and farcical situations but it also made me cry at one part about family. Enjoyed!
May 26, 2025
Although this is clearly satirical fiction which I wasn’t enjoying to begin with, I’m glad I pushed through with this book.
Fairly predictable at times but a thought provoking, if at times uncomfortable read for anybody interested in British politics.
Fairly predictable at times but a thought provoking, if at times uncomfortable read for anybody interested in British politics.
February 7, 2025
john o’farrell’s private eye membership is clearly well used! easy read, characters quite one dimensional but fun!
October 27, 2025
I enjoyed this book. It was funny and wholesome with well developed characters and an entertaining premise. As someone who’s been involved with Labour Party politics in the past, there were a lot of familiar scenarios and it made me examine my own political views and how I hold them - which is really what O’Farrell was going for here.
It made me realise that my issue isn’t people with opposing views, it’s the way in which they hold them.
There are some really unhinged moments in the book and I think we’ve all been there with people in the generations above us when they espouse views that challenge our fundamental beliefs.
There are some kind of cringy moments such as about 90% of Dylan’s dialogue. He comes across as a caricature of what older people think young men sound like.
It’s certainly a much needed book in the climate we have in the UK right now and should probably be read in schools.
It made me realise that my issue isn’t people with opposing views, it’s the way in which they hold them.
There are some really unhinged moments in the book and I think we’ve all been there with people in the generations above us when they espouse views that challenge our fundamental beliefs.
There are some kind of cringy moments such as about 90% of Dylan’s dialogue. He comes across as a caricature of what older people think young men sound like.
It’s certainly a much needed book in the climate we have in the UK right now and should probably be read in schools.
December 31, 2024
I really like the message of the book - that hating the other side of the political spectrum only makes it harder to progress - but the execution was a bit naff. Very funny, but Dylan's character was a stereotype of gen z and that was hard to read as a real-life gen z-er. Asides from my brother, I know no gen z man who'd love a private box at a Bruno Mars concert....
Additionally, I liked the fact it was from Emma's point of view, but she was borderline abusive at points which, I suppose, is the point. Still, there were so many times I thought 'Emma pleaaaaase don't do that' and then she went and did it got repetitive very quickly. Justice for Emma though, was sad she didn't leave her husband at the end but oh well.
Additionally, I liked the fact it was from Emma's point of view, but she was borderline abusive at points which, I suppose, is the point. Still, there were so many times I thought 'Emma pleaaaaase don't do that' and then she went and did it got repetitive very quickly. Justice for Emma though, was sad she didn't leave her husband at the end but oh well.
November 11, 2025
Very funny and easy to read book, I really liked the premise and the writing.
I think it’s an interesting topic and shows how honest conversation is what is needed in this time in politics.
Now saying that it is annoying the ending of the book is the reality of our society, Dylan was incredibly annoying and even after the whole book didn’t have any growing. Okay so he stopped wearing colour chinos woohoo he was being a twat left right and center.
The writing is very funny and I loved the dressing up in the pant suit scene I was cracking up. And the fighting really stressed me out so that’s good I guess.
Listen funny book, horrible to think of the Nigel farage character doing well…. But well ending a bit meh
I think it’s an interesting topic and shows how honest conversation is what is needed in this time in politics.
Now saying that it is annoying the ending of the book is the reality of our society, Dylan was incredibly annoying and even after the whole book didn’t have any growing. Okay so he stopped wearing colour chinos woohoo he was being a twat left right and center.
The writing is very funny and I loved the dressing up in the pant suit scene I was cracking up. And the fighting really stressed me out so that’s good I guess.
Listen funny book, horrible to think of the Nigel farage character doing well…. But well ending a bit meh
April 20, 2024
Light hearted and funny.
December 18, 2024
This definitely made me laugh a lot, at all the political posturing, the husband’s entrenched views, and the rational response to some of the more outlandish speeches.
Recommended
Recommended
June 2, 2025
A truly enjoyable and easy read which helped get me out of my reading rut - finished it in one sitting!!!
April 11, 2024
Hilarious 😆📚
May 19, 2024
Family divided politically. Tad predictable.
July 28, 2025
The funniest book I have read in a while!
January 18, 2025
Will they learn to accept each others political views or will they just never talk to their son ever again?
Fairly lighthearted political comedy but I didn't find myself drawn to pick it up much throughout the week as it felt a bit predictable
Fairly lighthearted political comedy but I didn't find myself drawn to pick it up much throughout the week as it felt a bit predictable
September 11, 2024
I enjoyed this. Fun set up of labour activist parents who find out their son is a conservative. It’s light but not silly. Some interesting things to think about and I really enjoyed the main character - and her relationship with her son . Listened on audible and it was well read
January 23, 2025
Started well but same jokes/comments reiterated throughout. Ended up skim reading the last 80 pages.
March 24, 2024
Satirical genius, hugely quotable mix of two explosive battlegrounds.
My god this was funny. I usually highlight quotes as I go along, to use a few as examples of my points about characters and the humour when I write a review. I highlighted half the book!
This was my first O'Farrell but I'm now determined to read a lot more from him, I can't believe I've been missing out.
Quick summary? Labour activists in Hastings - Mum and Dad - are councillors/local charity workers/lifelong left-wing loyalists. Their son returns home from Oxford having finished his degree ("Prince Hamlet moved back home after university and look how that turned out") and needing somewhere to crash temporarily. Confiding that he has something important to tell them, Dylan reveals... he's a Conservative. Emma tries to work out how this could have happened: "Letting him win at Monopoly, that was another mistake."
We then watch the situation spiral, with Emma and Eddie disbelieving, embarrassed, stunned and ashamed show themselves up in various ways (I really mustn't spoil it) as Dylan tries to start his adult life, having 'come out' to his parents after a (diary entries reveal his teenage agonies) lifetime of socialist events and lectures.
I felt embarrassed for everyone really, and also absolutely delighted at the satirical glee with which O'Farrell uses the microcosm of Hastings in a both family and societal battle for hearts and minds. There's a Farage-like potential candidate for local office with some INCREDIBLE ideas for a new theme park.
There's escalation of the highest order, and unbelievable parenting. I can't quote much more, it's got to be savoured first-hand.
Read it. Anyone who enjoys political commentary/comedy will find much to savour here.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
My god this was funny. I usually highlight quotes as I go along, to use a few as examples of my points about characters and the humour when I write a review. I highlighted half the book!
This was my first O'Farrell but I'm now determined to read a lot more from him, I can't believe I've been missing out.
Quick summary? Labour activists in Hastings - Mum and Dad - are councillors/local charity workers/lifelong left-wing loyalists. Their son returns home from Oxford having finished his degree ("Prince Hamlet moved back home after university and look how that turned out") and needing somewhere to crash temporarily. Confiding that he has something important to tell them, Dylan reveals... he's a Conservative. Emma tries to work out how this could have happened: "Letting him win at Monopoly, that was another mistake."
We then watch the situation spiral, with Emma and Eddie disbelieving, embarrassed, stunned and ashamed show themselves up in various ways (I really mustn't spoil it) as Dylan tries to start his adult life, having 'come out' to his parents after a (diary entries reveal his teenage agonies) lifetime of socialist events and lectures.
I felt embarrassed for everyone really, and also absolutely delighted at the satirical glee with which O'Farrell uses the microcosm of Hastings in a both family and societal battle for hearts and minds. There's a Farage-like potential candidate for local office with some INCREDIBLE ideas for a new theme park.
There's escalation of the highest order, and unbelievable parenting. I can't quote much more, it's got to be savoured first-hand.
Read it. Anyone who enjoys political commentary/comedy will find much to savour here.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
February 12, 2024
I think we all get sucked into political discourse and black and white standpoints linked to mainstream media or online. Family Politics, therefore, will resonate with everyone.
Lifelong Labour activists Eddie and have their life turned upside down when their son Dylan returns from Oxford to make an announcement. Rather than the “coming out” they were hoping for, Dylan reveals he is now a Conservative.
After initial disbelief and feelings of betrayal and disappointment, home life becomes increasingly difficult, with political arguments and a refusal to compromise causing the parents to set up a separate living area for their son. The scenario is a mirror to online social interaction, where likeminded people stay in their own bubbles of interest and attack those that hold differing views. The support that Dylan provides to his parents, however, from his experiences with the Conservatives, suggests that there are things that can be learned from listening and taking advice on board rather than rejecting anything that comes from “the enemy camp”.
Lots of digs at the Conservatives; the Hastings MP is in a coma and trying to be spurred to waking by someone whispering Black History Month into his ear. The rabid constant counterattacking of the left, however, does not make them appealing either.
The not so subtle message is “Righteous certainty and vehement intolerance of other views are the enemy of progressive thinking” but there is a lot of comedy and laughter to enjoy.
“Doing the right thing by those around you, that's what matters, just being a good person in your everyday life, that is the best first step towards trying to change the world.”
Lifelong Labour activists Eddie and have their life turned upside down when their son Dylan returns from Oxford to make an announcement. Rather than the “coming out” they were hoping for, Dylan reveals he is now a Conservative.
After initial disbelief and feelings of betrayal and disappointment, home life becomes increasingly difficult, with political arguments and a refusal to compromise causing the parents to set up a separate living area for their son. The scenario is a mirror to online social interaction, where likeminded people stay in their own bubbles of interest and attack those that hold differing views. The support that Dylan provides to his parents, however, from his experiences with the Conservatives, suggests that there are things that can be learned from listening and taking advice on board rather than rejecting anything that comes from “the enemy camp”.
Lots of digs at the Conservatives; the Hastings MP is in a coma and trying to be spurred to waking by someone whispering Black History Month into his ear. The rabid constant counterattacking of the left, however, does not make them appealing either.
The not so subtle message is “Righteous certainty and vehement intolerance of other views are the enemy of progressive thinking” but there is a lot of comedy and laughter to enjoy.
“Doing the right thing by those around you, that's what matters, just being a good person in your everyday life, that is the best first step towards trying to change the world.”
January 1, 2025
This started off as funny but quickly became tedious. On reflection probably a one star.
April 27, 2024
A really enjoyable read with many laugh out loud moments mocking both sides of the political divide. If the BBC doesn't rush out and televise with an ensemble cast for General Election week, they are missing a trick!
February 4, 2024
Having never read any of the authors previous novels I went into this blind, now that I have seen I'll be looking for more....
This is such smart writing full of wit, self awareness, satire, and undoubtedly insightful looks at society today.
Told in the first POV with Emma and some diary entries from her son Dylan as teenager we are taken on what is essentially a story about growing up and the ever changing parent and child relationship. This set against the back drop of political differences between the two.
The writer expertly expresses the absurd nature of politics and the trouble it causes. Using extreme versions of what we can all recognise the writer shows the death of nuance in society, the evils of social media and cancel culture, how politics has become something much more that what's right for the people, how we are fractured as a society and everyone is actually a hypocrite if they only closely looked at themselves.
While the story is mainly the lead to a local bi election in the summer that Dylan returns to his family home after university there isn't much actual plot when we get is a journey of discovery for Emma, she starts to question herself and views, she starts to wonder what is means to be a mother, the writer as man writes her character so well he seems to have real insight into the female mind. Using this plot ark of the adult child returning home after a first class university education not only highlights the many issues young people are facing today but also really examines how hard it is for as adult to return home to be a child almost again not only for yourself but your parents also.
While this book is without a darkly comical look at how ridiculous we have became as society it is a heart filled look at family life.
I really loved the ending I felt it showed a message we can all learn from...DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS AND YOURSELF SO QUICKLY
This is such smart writing full of wit, self awareness, satire, and undoubtedly insightful looks at society today.
Told in the first POV with Emma and some diary entries from her son Dylan as teenager we are taken on what is essentially a story about growing up and the ever changing parent and child relationship. This set against the back drop of political differences between the two.
The writer expertly expresses the absurd nature of politics and the trouble it causes. Using extreme versions of what we can all recognise the writer shows the death of nuance in society, the evils of social media and cancel culture, how politics has become something much more that what's right for the people, how we are fractured as a society and everyone is actually a hypocrite if they only closely looked at themselves.
While the story is mainly the lead to a local bi election in the summer that Dylan returns to his family home after university there isn't much actual plot when we get is a journey of discovery for Emma, she starts to question herself and views, she starts to wonder what is means to be a mother, the writer as man writes her character so well he seems to have real insight into the female mind. Using this plot ark of the adult child returning home after a first class university education not only highlights the many issues young people are facing today but also really examines how hard it is for as adult to return home to be a child almost again not only for yourself but your parents also.
While this book is without a darkly comical look at how ridiculous we have became as society it is a heart filled look at family life.
I really loved the ending I felt it showed a message we can all learn from...DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS AND YOURSELF SO QUICKLY
January 4, 2025
Family Politics
Family Politics is a great book, if, you understand politics and are very left-wing yourself. The political angle adds something new to the book and does help make it different to your usual parents and adult child don’t get on storyline.
Thankfully, the book was humorous, and I think that’s what kept me going as this easily could’ve been a DNF. The storyline was slow in places and I didn’t know where it was going - mainly because I couldn’t see a story within it. The ending felt rushed and not clearly thought out. It felt very much as though the author had an idea, but nowhere to take it.
The writing itself is very bias, and screams ‘the author is a lefty who hates tories’ and while it’s not the worst viewpoint to have it is tiring. By the authors repertoire you can tell he is very socialist so obviously has a bias which is portrayed in this writing. Other reviews (from people who have read more of O’Farrell’s work) agree that this is biased and leans too much to non-fiction at times, which does spoil the book, for me at least. However, I can think of a number of people who would genuinely enjoy this book because of that political nature. I don’t think the bias should be removed fully since as the reader, you ultimately want to be on the side of the narrator, however a 3rd person narrative could balance this out more and make it a more enjoyable read.
TL:DR. If you’re Tory - don’t read. If you’re die hard labour - this is for you.
Overall not an awful start to 2025s books and I’d give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Quotes:
“In most cultures the young venerate their elders. In ours they just blame them for property prices.”
“… our society seems to have a strict rule that the more good you do for the world, the lower your wages.”
“You’re not a Tory, Dylan, you’re our son.”
Family Politics is a great book, if, you understand politics and are very left-wing yourself. The political angle adds something new to the book and does help make it different to your usual parents and adult child don’t get on storyline.
Thankfully, the book was humorous, and I think that’s what kept me going as this easily could’ve been a DNF. The storyline was slow in places and I didn’t know where it was going - mainly because I couldn’t see a story within it. The ending felt rushed and not clearly thought out. It felt very much as though the author had an idea, but nowhere to take it.
The writing itself is very bias, and screams ‘the author is a lefty who hates tories’ and while it’s not the worst viewpoint to have it is tiring. By the authors repertoire you can tell he is very socialist so obviously has a bias which is portrayed in this writing. Other reviews (from people who have read more of O’Farrell’s work) agree that this is biased and leans too much to non-fiction at times, which does spoil the book, for me at least. However, I can think of a number of people who would genuinely enjoy this book because of that political nature. I don’t think the bias should be removed fully since as the reader, you ultimately want to be on the side of the narrator, however a 3rd person narrative could balance this out more and make it a more enjoyable read.
TL:DR. If you’re Tory - don’t read. If you’re die hard labour - this is for you.
Overall not an awful start to 2025s books and I’d give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Quotes:
“In most cultures the young venerate their elders. In ours they just blame them for property prices.”
“… our society seems to have a strict rule that the more good you do for the world, the lower your wages.”
“You’re not a Tory, Dylan, you’re our son.”
March 3, 2024
I've never read any of John O'Farrell's books before but after this one, I feel like I've been missing out!
•
The wit and comedy of John's writing in Family Politics was perfect. I'm not usually one for laughing out loud when reading but this actually had me in tears of laughter at one point— chapter 7 was my favourite of the whole book; I need fans of Gavin & Stacey to let me know if Emma and Lauren's scene also reminded you of Pam's vegetarian conundrum. Other than trying to avoid her son's girlfriend's gifts, I found Emma to be my favourite character and I'm so glad she was our main narrator. Reading how she just wanted the best for her son while battling with his political choices was as funny as it was strangely heartwarming, especially by the end.
•
Though this was a satire surrounding the division of our country as it is today, I still found it reflective while also entertaining. I only thought some of the dialogue from Dylan felt somewhat juvenile at times which made some scenes with him frustrating even without his tory views coming into play, but it also sort of felt like this may have been done on purpose too. I did enjoy the odd diary entries from Dylan, as a flashback to his childhood and how Emma and Eddie raised him, again these were funny but also gave an insight into why he chose to separate himself from his parent's political choices once he reached adulthood which I honestly found interesting.
•
Overall, this was a genuinely hilarious political satire that you can tell is written by an established comedy writer. I wouldn't say there was so much a specific plot in this story other than Eddie trying to make it to Westminster but if you've ever enjoyed Spitting Image, you're bound to like this.
Thank you Doubleday for my advance proof copy!
•
The wit and comedy of John's writing in Family Politics was perfect. I'm not usually one for laughing out loud when reading but this actually had me in tears of laughter at one point— chapter 7 was my favourite of the whole book; I need fans of Gavin & Stacey to let me know if Emma and Lauren's scene also reminded you of Pam's vegetarian conundrum. Other than trying to avoid her son's girlfriend's gifts, I found Emma to be my favourite character and I'm so glad she was our main narrator. Reading how she just wanted the best for her son while battling with his political choices was as funny as it was strangely heartwarming, especially by the end.
•
Though this was a satire surrounding the division of our country as it is today, I still found it reflective while also entertaining. I only thought some of the dialogue from Dylan felt somewhat juvenile at times which made some scenes with him frustrating even without his tory views coming into play, but it also sort of felt like this may have been done on purpose too. I did enjoy the odd diary entries from Dylan, as a flashback to his childhood and how Emma and Eddie raised him, again these were funny but also gave an insight into why he chose to separate himself from his parent's political choices once he reached adulthood which I honestly found interesting.
•
Overall, this was a genuinely hilarious political satire that you can tell is written by an established comedy writer. I wouldn't say there was so much a specific plot in this story other than Eddie trying to make it to Westminster but if you've ever enjoyed Spitting Image, you're bound to like this.
Thank you Doubleday for my advance proof copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews