Trois enterrements

by Anders Lustgarten, Claro (Translator)

An electrifying wild-ride of a debut novel from award-winning playwright Anders Lustgarten

Meet Cherry, a bandit queen on the run, driving a pink soft-top convertible through the Badlands of Southeast England. She's never felt more Thelma and Louise in her life - except there are three of them in the car and one of them is dead.

How did a head nurse and mother of two end up driving a handcuffed policeman and the corpse of a murdered refugee on a journey to find justice? Pursued by a racist, roid-raged, shaven-headed officer of the law - not to mention by her husband and daughter - what else can a woman with a conscience do in modern Britain?

Thrilling, radical and darkly comedic, Anders Lustgarten's open-hearted storm of a book explores pressing political concerns with clear-sightedness and holds a mirror up to contemporary Britain.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Dark, Crime, Politics

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2025

Reviews

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can guarantee that you won't forget this book in a hurry.

The story centres around Omar, an illegal immigrant, coming to the UK to be with his girl and for the so-called "better life" he thinks he can work for. Standing in his way is the roid-raging Freddie Barratt, a police officer whose mission in life is to keep anyone from Britain's shores that he doesn't think should be there. In his shadow is Andy Jakubiak, who really wants to get on in the police force and has been brought on in Barratt's image, believing his senior officer's way to be the right one.

That is until one night when Barratt and Jakubiak are fighting the good fight when they meet Omar in the English Channel. Omar thinks they are there to save him from drowning, right up to the point where Barratt attacks.

The following morning Cherry Bristow, mourning the loss of her son and failing to come to terms with her own mistakes, finds a body on the beach. She is a nurse, a mother, a woman who knows something badly wrong has happened to this corpse and she's determined that she will find the girl whose image is clasped in the boy's hand and give the boy a decent end.

After this the story takes off in the most maniacal way. Cherry is determined that the policeman trying to hush up the death will not get away with it, no matter what she has to do. Asha is determined to find out what happened to Omar. Cherry's grieving husband and daughter are caught up chasing after Cherry. Jakubiak is trying to find his own voice in the chaos and Barratt is bent on making sure that the corpse is never found, all the immigrants he can lay his hands on are made to suffer and that he will get a promotion for removing as many people as possible from his country.

There's a lot of swearing; there's a lot of violence. Anders Lustgarten does not hold back in his utter disdain for the government, the police and the corrupt society he finds himself in.

It is a very powerful book. It will keep you riveted to the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the advance review copy.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a book about such serious topics as immigration, politics, corruption and racism also be so thrilling and even funny? Lustgarten succeeds in doing just that! 'Three Burials' is a book full of energy and excitement and would make an excellent film. It's indeed a wild ride :-)
Thank you Hamish Hamilton for the ARC.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a ludicrous piece of writing with some serious points to make. The author was born in the UK to American academic parents and, after finishing his degree here, went to Berkeley to do a Ph.D. This explains the smattering of American terminology throughout the book which jars with its English location. According to his bio, Lustgarten works as a political activist across the world. This goes some way to explaining his palpable derision for, and agitprop-like snarking at, everything and everybody in England from politics to ordinary daily life. Frankly, it gets boring and most of us leave that reactionary attitude behind when we graduate. The basic message of this book is that England is a god-awful, small-minded little country in which immigrants, legal or illegal, are treated appallingly. If that was really the case, why would so many risk their lives to come here?

Plus points:- the terror of a journey by an unseaworthy vessel across the English Channel in the dark is well written. The opening act of violence is sickening. The emotional turmoil of some of the characters is moving at times and there are some important issues raised. All of this could have been done without the endless derision and tediously repetitive swearing, however. I’m not sure why I’m giving it 3 stars. It’s maybe a bit generous but I did read it through to the end and enjoyed some of it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A political satire. Five stars for originality. Three Burials has a crazy off-the-wall plot but is so real in terms of confronting truths about UK in the 2020s. Even if you don’t share all of Anderson Lustgarten politics there’s so much to admire in this novel, not least the humanisation of Omar and Asha’s immigrant stories. The humour is relentless and sometimes comes across a bit brash (early Ben Eltonish?) in a tale that’s largely about tough lives and loss. But this is counterbalanced by Lustgarten’s incredibly insightful writing about his diverse cast of characters. I really began to understand Cherry’s motivations, and I loved the touching realism about Cherry and Robert’s relationship. Gripping and uncomfortable, funny and moving. This book will stay in my mind.

[Andy Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dark satire of almost every contentious political issue of contemporary Britain; the broken refugee system, the decline of the NHS, the crisis of the Met police, pandemic issues, and the rise in popularity of the extreme right, and that’s not all.

Thereby lies the problem, it’s trying to do too much. It seems impossible Lustgarten can cover all of these topics in one book. He makes a pretty good go at it, but the plot suffers, and key characters lack depth in their descriptions.

The opening of the book is strong, and concerns the death of a Somalian refugee in the Channel after an incident involving two off duty policemen who have taken the law into their own hands. The body is washed up on the southeast coast where it is discovered by a senior NHS nurse who is struggling with grief after the death of her son. She makes it her mission to give the young Somalian a decent burial.

Most chapters progress due to some highly implausible plot shift, and it’s not the type of book where this can be ignored easily.

Lustgarten’s writing is at times clunky, most evident when attempting humour. He also has the habit of providing his opinion in paragraphs that really need not be there.

[Janaya Kabamba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing! I couldn't put it down and it really did give such an honest commentary into the world we live in.

I saw some reviews saying it was political or too political but I actually didn't find anything particularly political about it. Its the reality of Britain today. There are refugees, they can become victims, police aren't always the good guys, sometimes it takes an outsider to go above and beyond to do whats right.

I laughed, I cried, it really was moving and heartfelt ad well as being hillarious - especially the comparison ti the late queen being paraded about the country like a misplaced ocado delivery.

I feel the only people who would deem it political as opposed to just being accurate would be those who just don't want to know what goes on and those who don't care as long as it doesn't effect them. Very much the same people who changed their fb profile to a flag of Ukraine but felt Palestine was "too complex" to comment on.

Absolutely amazing and a must read for everyone

[Cathyc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stinging, saddening, darkly funny and relentless

[Heather Bottoms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an explosion of a novel involving illegal immigrants, a racist cop, a dead body, and a family upended by grief and a longing for justice. Lustgarten unleashes a harsh commentary on the darker side of modern day Britain with sharp, brutal observations of current policy and stabs of bleak, surprising humor. If Thelma and Louise hit the road in London, it might have looked something like this.

[Steven Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anders Lustgarten’s “Three Burials” explodes like a Molotov cocktail of social commentary and thrilling absurdity. We meet Cherry, a head nurse whose seemingly ordinary life shatters when she finds herself on the run with a dead refugee and a corrupt cop in tow. Their pink convertible becomes a chariot hurtling through the underbelly of Britain, exposing festering wounds of prejudice and neglect.

The novel doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities faced by refugees. We see their desperation, their vulnerability, and the systemic failures that leave them exposed. But Lustgarten balances this darkness with sharp wit and moments of laugh-out-loud absurdity. The cop, struggling with his internalized biases, becomes a source of both tension and comic relief. Cherry’s own transformation, from ordinary citizen to reluctant revolutionary, is both believable and inspiring.

“Three Burials” is more than just a thriller, it’s a gut punch that forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about our own society. It challenges our perceptions of right and wrong, leaving us grappling with complex questions about justice, identity, and what it truly means to belong.

I loved this, it was un-put-downable – drama, politics and social justice collided. It took me back to the radical days of my youth and our hopes for a juster society that seem not to have been fulfilled.

This isn’t a comfortable read, but it’s a necessary one. The story lingers long after the final page, a testament to its emotional impact and thought-provoking themes.

[Bukola Akinyemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Burials
by Anders Lustgarten

Three Burials
by Anders Lustgarten is a political satire that reflects contemporary Britain, addressing issues like immigration, the NHS, the Met Police, and Covid.

The story is told from multiple perspectives. Omar, an illegal immigrant, tries to enter the UK while clutching a photo of his beloved, even as he risks drowning. Meanwhile, police officers at the scene focus not on saving lives but on preventing entry by any means necessary.

We also hear from Cherry, a nurse working tirelessly during the pandemic while facing personal struggles at home, and Andi Bile, an intern at a migrant processing center, among others.

The narrative quickly escalates into a car chase around London, featuring a policeman handcuffed to a dead body, pursued by a racist, roid-raged, shaven-headed officer.

Lustgarten uses humor and wit to draw attention to these critical themes. The multiple points of view allow for an in-depth exploration of the characters' minds, some of whom are quite unpleasant. This approach is reminiscent of The 392 by Ashley Hickson-Lovence.

[Pranav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devastating. What a read. One of those rare books that generate a true swell of emotion inside the reader.
A must read for all those trying to make sense of today’s urban society.

[Esther Skene · Rating 2 out of 5]

well written with some poignant reflections on immigration and xenophobia in britain. slightly lost me on some of the plot points but a nice easy read

[Veronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

fresh, witty, yet deeply tragic. it’s not only about immigration or healthcare crisis or politics, it’s puts everything that is wrong with this world in 250 pages. and in a unique sarcastic tone

[David Boddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

State of our nation satire. Stinging, saddening, darkly funny and relentless.

[Freddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4- This had a vision and executed it! It was bonkers but poignant, unbelievable yet grounded in the reality of modern Britain.

[Gavin Armour · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Rezension bezieht sich auf die deutsche, bei Hoffmann & Campe erschienene Ausgabe]

FRIEDEN (THREE BURIALS, Original erschienen 2024; Dt. 2024) ist möglicherweise das Buch zur Stunde – einer bösen Stunde. Es mag die Stunde derer sein, die Hass in sich tragen und dem Hass ungezügelt, ungebremst Ausdruck verleihen. Die Stunde auch, in der Gewalt als Möglichkeit immer wahrscheinlicher wird. Die Stunde, in der die Risse – die vermeintlichen Risse – in der Gesellschaft immer weiter aufreißen und sich zu Gräben vertiefen mögen. Wer weiß?

Anders Lustgarten hat möglicherweise dieses Buch zur Stunde geschrieben. An der südenglischen Küste wird im Sturm ein Boot aus Frankreich angespült. Darin sitzen sechs Männer mit arabischem und afrikanischem, auf jeden Fall islamischen Hintergrund. In Empfang genommen werden sie von einem Boot voller englischer Männer, die sich als Beschützer der britischen Grenzen begreifen. Zwei davon – Andy Jakubiak und Freddie Barratt – sind Polizisten. Als der selbst gewählte Einsatz vorüber ist, liegt am folgenden Morgen einer der illegalen Immigranten tot am Strand. Angespült in der Nacht. Und da findet ihn Cherry Bristow, die hier ihren Kater ausgeschlafen hat. Das tut sie häufiger, seit ihr Sohn Liam Selbstmord beging und zwischen Cherry, ihrem Mann Robert und der gemeinsamen Tochter Danielle, Liams Schwester, eine Art stiller Krieg herrscht. Cherry begreift den toten Mann, der das laminierte Bild einer Frau in seinen steifen Fingern hält, als eine Chance. Als Chance, Abbitte zu leisten, vielleicht. Sie will diesen Mann zu dieser Frau bringen und etwas Richtiges, einfach etwas Gutes tun, will, dass der Mann ein ordentliches Begräbnis erhält und nicht in einem anonymen Grab landet, wie so viele der Illegalen, die tot an Englands Stränden angespült werden. Oder in den Asylunterkünften sterben. Namenlos, familienlos.

Und so erzählt Lustgarten von der Odyssee der Cherry Bristow, die gemeinsam mit Andy Jakubiak, den sie quasi entführt, die Leiche des toten Omar zu dessen Freundin nach London bringt. Erzählt wird, wie die beiden zunächst verfeindeten Bristow und Jakubiak herausfinden, um wen es sich bei der Frau auf dem Bild handelt und wie es ihnen gelingt, sich immer wieder dem sie verfolgenden Freddie Barratt zu entziehen, der unbedingt verhindern will, dass herauskommt, was in der Nacht auf dem Meer geschah. Davon nämlich existiert ein Video, das aufzuzeichnen er höchstselbst Andy gezwungen hat. Erzählt wird aber auch die Geschichte von Robert und Danielle, davon, wie Cherrys Freund und Kollege Michael mit der Situation als Pathologe umgeht, als der er arbeitet und der immer wieder mit all den grausamen Geschichten der Toten konfrontiert wird.

Erzählt wird von einem Land, dessen Gesellschaft möglicherweise noch viel gespaltener ist, als es die deutsche ja auch sein soll; erzählt wird von einer Gesellschaft nach Corona und den Verheerungen, die die Krankheit hinterlassen hat; erzählt wird von einer schwachen Gesellschaft; erzählt wird von einer Einwanderungsgesellschaft, die sich ununterbrochen selbst belügt, indem sie von der einstigen Größe schwärmt, die sie die Welt hat beherrschen lassen, die nun aber nicht mit den Folgen dessen – bspw. der Einwanderung aus aller Herren Länder – leben und zurechtkommen will oder kann. Erzählt wird vor allem von lauter beschädigten Leben, die gelebt werden müssen und von den Menschen, die sie leben und die alle verbindet, dass sie Trost suchen. Und Frieden.

Lustgarten ist in England ein recht bekannter Autor höchst satirischer, manchmal schon zynischer Theaterstücke, die die westliche Gesellschaft, deren Establishment, deren Finanzgebaren und die Ausbeutung der restlichen Welt anprangern. Darüber hinaus ist er ein Aktivist, der auf allen Kontinenten an Aktionen vor allem gegen das Handeln multinationaler Gesellschaften und Konzerne teilnimmt. FRIEDEN ist sein erster Roman.

Wie es bei einigen seiner Stücke der Fall ist, ließe sich auch dem Buch vorwerfen, schlicht zu viel zu wollen. Lustgarten packt eine Unmenge an gesellschaftlichen, aber auch persönlichen Themen in die 315 Seiten Text. Im Kern geht es ihm natürlich um den Umgang einer bei allen sozialen Problemen immer noch reichen Gesellschaft wie der britischen (wohlgemerkt post-Brexit) mit den Ärmsten der Armen, den Hilfesuchenden. Deren Not ja zumeist erst durch das Gebaren westlicher Länder und Nationen – und eben der multinationalen Konzerne, gegen die der Autor so häufig in Aktion tritt – hervorgerufen wurde. Not, die sie dann dazu veranlasst, ihre Heimatländer zu verlassen und in eine Ferne aufzubrechen, die ihnen vollkommen fremd ist und die in den allermeisten Fällen etwas verspricht, was sie nicht halten kann. Und schon gar nicht halten will. All diese Themen werden behandelt, teils vertieft, teils wirklich nur angerissen.

Lustgarten bedient sich eines multiperspektivischen Erzählstils, ohne dabei aus der jeweils wirklich subjektiven Sicht der Betreffenden zu berichten. Eher werden Orts- und Personenwechsel angegeben, denn tatsächliche Perspektivwechsel. Grundlegend bleibt er bei einem deskriptiven, autarken Bericht, der lediglich die Perspektive dessen einnimmt, dessen Name den aktuellen Abschnitt ziert. Diese Abschnitte ihrerseits können mehrere Seiten lang sein, oft aber auch lediglich eine einzige Seite – oder weniger – umfassen. Allerdings gelingt es dem Autor, seinen Leser*innen so ein regelrechtes Gewirr verschiedener Personen und ihrer spezifischen Geschichten und Absichten nahezubringen, ohne dabei komplettes Chaos und heilloses Durcheinander zu erzeugen. Die einzelnen Figuren sind dabei recht unterschiedlich ausgearbeitet. Während wir Cherry Bristow als einen komplexen Charakter kennenlernen, bleibt der Rechtsausleger Freddie Barratt ein Abziehbild, eine Lachnummer aus dem Kabinett des Kuriosen und der Klischees. Die meisten übrigen Figuren bewegen sich irgendwo dazwischen. Tatsächliche Entwicklung wird Andy, Danielle und Robert zugestanden, wobei Andy Jakubiak sich vom Volltrottel zum Empathiker wandelt, zumindest ansatzweise, was zwar nett mitzuerleben, letztlich aber auch etwas kitschig und gewollt ist. Was die Wandlung von Danielle und die ihres Vaters betrifft, haben wir es vornehmlich mit Wiederannäherung (Tochter) zur Mutter und Entfernung (Mann/Vater) von der Gattin und somit einer dialektischen Bewegung zu tun, die dann aber doch etwas zu dicke aufgetragen wirkt.

Ähnlich verhält es sich mit der Story, die momentweise doch zur rechten Räuberpistole entgleitet. Nicht nur die Tatsache, mit einem an eine Leiche gefesselten Polizisten durch die Lande zu fahren und dabei von der Hilfe einer hochgebildeten, aber als Putzfrau und Haushälterin arbeitenden Osteuropäerin zu profitieren, ist doch arg an den Haaren herbeigezogen und immer kurz vor der Farce, sondern auch die Mittel, mit denen zwei illegal in England lebende Frauen einen Migranten aus einem geschlossenen Asyl befreien, wirkt dann doch ein wenig zu einfach und entspricht wohl eher den Wünschen des Autors denn irgendeiner Realität.

So kann man sich natürlich mit Literatur über eben diese Realität lustig machen, sich an ihr rächen, aufzeigen, wie sie sein sollte, sein könnte; abbilden jedoch kann man sie so nicht. Man spürt Satz für Satz, Seite für Seite die Wut, die das Ganze antreibt, die Lustgarten verspüren muss, ununterbrochen. Um sein(e) Anliegen zu verdeutlichen, mag Übertreibung auch ein gängiges und zumutbares Mittel sein. Doch stellt sich irgendwann die Frage, weshalb die Figuren mit der Tragik des Selbstmords eines Kindes aufgeladen werden mussten? Hätte es eine banale Ehekrise nicht auch getan? Warum braucht es bei einer Frau wie Cherry diesen Twist? Sie war zu Zeiten der Pandemie im Krankenhaus, hat dort Doppelt- und Dreifachschichten geschoben, hat das Sterben erlebt, hat die Härten erlebt, als es Verwandten nicht gestattet wurde, am Sterbebett ihrer Liebsten zu sitzen – all das, was wir kennen, was auch in Deutschland nach wie vor für eine ungeheure Wut sorgt. Aber braucht es all das, um zu erklären, weshalb diese Frau so unbedingt diesen Akt des Mitgefühls leisten will? Muss es gleich eine Art Katharsis sein, reicht es nicht, einfach ein menschliches Gefühl zu zeigen?

Andererseits muss man Lustgarten ein ausgesprochen feines Gespür für die Feinheiten und Sensibilitäten der britischen Gesellschaft attestieren. Er scheint ein seismographisches Verständnis dieser Gesellschaft haben, wenn er zu guter Letzt Südlondon in einem Riot auflodern lässt und ein wenig vorwegnimmt, was dann im Sommer 2014 Tatsache wurde, wenn auch unter anderen Vorzeichen, als ein Mob in unterschiedlichen Städten heftigste ausländerfeindliche Krawalle anzettelte. Lustgarten zeigt, wie kurz die Lunte in Großbritannien mittlerweile ist, wie dünnhäutig diese Gesellschaft nach der Pandemie, dem Brexit, der entgegen der Beteuerungen aus der ganz rechten Ecke alles andere als ein Erfolgsmodell war, und einer scheinbaren Überforderung mit immer mehr illegal ins Land strömenden Schutzsuchenden ist. Und er zeigt, wie gerade in den Gesellschaften, die sich „Zivilisation“ und „Kultur“ auf die Fahne geschrieben haben, Gewalt zum Mittel zur Lösung von Konflikten, aber auch als Katalysator eigenen Frusts und Versagens genutzt wird.

Das ist beängstigend. Vielleicht ist nicht die beste Literatur, die dabei entsteht, ganz sicher aber ist es beängstigende Literatur, aufrüttelnd und bedrückend. Und es ist die Literatur zur drückenden Stunde, ganz sicher.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been a short story.

[Lewis Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* rounded up! Really enjoyed this one, a funny, witty, political rollercoaster that left me laughing, outraged and thinking about the state the world is currently in. This highlights everything that is wrong with this country in its current state but that actually there are a lot of people out there who want to make a change and want humanity to prevail. People who rate this low or don’t like it are probably the ones that need to take a look in the mirror and consider how they view others and the world we live in. Everyone should read this book In 2024.

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Der Autor, Anders Lustgarten, geht nicht sehr subtil mit seiner Meinung über das rassistische, korrupte System der britischen Regierung um. Man kann ja seiner Meinung sein, hätte sich diese jedoch beim Lesen gerne selbst gebildet.

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure what I was expecting from this Anders Lustgarten book, but it was not this incredible, close to the bone, wildly funny, ironic, edgy, genius state of nation novel, with its razor sharp, incisive analysis of contemporary Britain, with its collapsing public services, cost of living crisis, austerity, inflation etc., led by a criminally mendacious, malevolent, malicious government, impossible to respect, intent on destruction, strife, division, and culture wars. All amidst a background of global crises, wars, famine, tyranny, climate change, refugees, and fortress Europe. All contributing to problems of identity and scrabbling for a sense of belonging in wider society. Cherry Bristow is drowning in grief, as head nurse working through the trauma of Covid within the NHS, and the added burden of unbearable personal loss and her family splintering apart with the death of her son, Liam.

So when Cherry comes across the body of a murdered refugee, the dead Omar, who looks the spit of Liam, on a Kent beach, she is galvanised into action, determined his corpse is restored to his loved one and receives a decent burial. Not caring about breaking the law, Cherry is doing this for herself too, to reconnect with the brimful of life woman she once used to be. Which is how she ends up as a bandit Queen, in her own version of Thelma and Louise, on the road, with a policeman handcuffed to a dead body in the car, chased by a vicious bald, racist cop on steroids, and being followed her husband, Robert, and daughter, Danielle. There is a wide and disparate mesmerising cast of characters, that include Czech housekeeper, organic chemist and witch, Radka, traumatised refugee Abdi Bile, Asha living her shadow London life, and a string of other eye catching figures.

Lustgarten has a real gift when it comes to creating and developing magnetic characters, sensitively illustrating the nature of grief, within a family, and its never ending presence in the chaotic lives of courageous refugees, and the horrifying challenges they are forced to endure. He draws with a few strokes characters that resonate, feel authentic and distinct, such as Jakubiak struggling for a sense of identity and belonging, no-one caring enough to support him, leavving him wide open to be groomed for nefarious purposes. This is superb, powerful and painful read, balanced by comic humour, and that left me enthralled, laughing unbelievably hard, captivated by the absurdities it highlights, and left heartbroken too. It is a vibrant, electrifying read just waiting to be turned into a movie! After this, I will read anything this author writes, and I have no doubt this will be a raging success upon publication. A must read that I highly recommend to other readers of all genres. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+

This book is the perfect storm of rage and beauty.

From the blurb I was honestly expecting it to be funnier. In an absurd kind of way, of course. It is after all partly about a lady driving around with a corpse. And there were definitely bits that made me snort, but make no mistake: this book is heavy. And very, very real. As in, it discusses the actual state of the world. Racism, police brutality, shithead politicians, late stage capitalism, covid. This is not escapist fiction. It is relentless. But it is also very relatable and human. In a way it’s freeing to hear someone express so succinctly and directly the things that we are all to some extent feeling in the world today. And though this is focused specifically on British society there is of course a lot that resonates with the rest of the west.

I feel like I can see Lustgarten’s background in playwriting in his concise, compact and particular language, which is something I personally enjoy. I felt like he managed to write convincingly from a bunch of different character’s perspectives, giving them some distinction and personality even if we didn’t spend a large amount of time with them. The exception being the shithead racists. Maybe that’s too much to ask, or maybe it’s just that my brain refuses to relate to such people. But it would have been interesting - I think - to see their personalities as well, their fears, their weaknesses. Not because I want to find them relatable or sympathise with them, but after all there are such people in the world, and knowing more about how they work and where they’re coming from would give me a greater understanding of humanity in general. It’s easy to say that shithead racists are evil and irredeemable, and to some extent that is true, but there are also those (like Andy) who can be turned around, be made to see the error of their ways, and in order to go into that conversation we have to understand at least a little of why they are like this. This book is too angry to make room for that. Understandable. But a bit of a pity nonetheless.

I think the blurb and the first chapter set slightly wrong expectations. The part mentioned in the blurb only happens maybe 2/3 into the book or even later. And the first chapter is very intense and emotional. Okay, yes most of the book is intense and emotional, but after this intro we are kind of taken back a few steps before things start to really happen.

Saying I enjoyed this book may be the wrong word. But it was powerful and worthwhile. And now I have to go rewatch Thelma & Louise.

[Alex-Mot-à-Mots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Premier roman d’un auteur de théâtre très britannique, je me suis régalée avec ce roman plein d’humour dont l’histoire se déroule le temps d’une nuit et de la journée qui suit.

Sur les chapeaux de roues, à l’image du film Thelma et Louise que Cherry adore et dont elle ne cesse de citer des répliques.

J’ai aimé découvrir sa famille : son mari Robert ancien flic, sa fille Danielle qui prend les choses en main et son fils décédé il y a quelques années.

J’ai aimé Jakubiak, jeune flic qui se fait embringuer dans une action commando anti-migrant par son chef, mais qui regrette son geste.

J’ai aimé Omar, l’un des migrant du frêle esquif, amoureux d’Asha qu’il tente de rejoindre à Londres.

J’ai aimé son ami surnommé Abdi Bile qui risque tout pour dénoncer l’injustice.

Bien sûr, j’ai détesté le supérieur Barratt, fervent défenseur du Royaume d’Angleterre, prêt à tout pour repousser les migrants.

J’ai aimé que ce roman montre les personnes que sont les immigrés clandestins qui ont traversé des épreuves qui ne sont pas racontables.

Un roman qui, grâce à l’humour, nous montre un pays divisé sur la question de l’immigration.

Quelques citations :

… leurs amis de fac en place au Gouvernement. Les pires personnes d’Angleterre, en gros. Avec les journalistes du Times et George Osborne. (p.180)

L’ingratitude pour des journées de travail de quinze heures et des coups de fil interminables à s’entendre dire que tata est malade et que le cousin veut aller à l’école et que les animaux meurent de faim et est-ce que tu peux envoyer de l’argent ? Encore et encore et encore. Cette vie dans les limbes où la seule réalité est le prochain service et le prochain salaire. (p.287)

L’image que je retiendrai :

Celle de la décapotable rose qui sert à transporter le corps d’Omar en plein Londres pendant une manifestation qui tourne mal.

https://www.alexmotamots.fr/trois-ent...

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

I really went in with the expectations that this was an all-out comedy and it is certainly not that. Opening with the murder of a refugee, mainly following a woman who recently lost her son to suicide and whose marriage is falling apart and her sidekick, who is a white supremacist now having second thoughts, as they cart the refugee boy’s corpse around the south east of England, this book is pretty bleak at times. It definitely builds to some dark humour, some of which works, but some of which sort of felt tonally strange and in bad taste.

The core of the story is interesting though, and I enjoyed all the side characters. I liked the lead too, she was great. The book moved ridiculously quickly, never a dull moment and a very easy-to-read writing style.

There were however aspects that left me scratching my head—none of which falls on Lustgarten’s shoulders, but on whoever the editor was, who I didn’t feel was particularly present in the text. Each chapter contains POV headings as we switch between characters, and yet even within those clearly called out POVs, there’s a ton of head-hopping that didn’t feel intentional. There was some of other stuff too that I’m just a little perplexed by, but it’s been long enough since I read it that I don’t remember them well-enough to try and elucidate here.

I’m not sure who to recommend this to, but I think if you like both fluffy and hard-hitting contemporary, esp. contemporary that deals (however unsubtly) with modern politics, this might be a good pick. I enjoyed it, anyway, despite its faults, and came away with a really positive impression.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Burials is ,at times,literally a riot of a book. I was reminded very much of Ben Elton's early books from when he was both anti-establishment and funny,and you have to be very old to remember him being either of those things. As with Mr Elton's early output the politics do at times get a bit much even if you largely agree with them, as I do.

The book begins with a boat full of refugees finding their route across the Channel blocked by people determined to stop them landing,an incident that leads to tragedy. When nurse Cherry finds the body of one of the migrants on a beach with the picture of a young woman still clutched in his hand she's determined to trace her,identify him and make sure he has a proper funeral. From then on things get wild to the point of surreal as a psychotic policeman with inside knowledge of the murder pursues Cherry and one of his younger colleagues who is for part of the journey handcuffed to the body of the deceased. As the tale unfolds the backstorys of the main characters are revealed,the refugees journey across Africa and Europe,Cherry's dysfunctional family and the insecurities of the young policeman.

This is very funny,often dark and with a sobering insight into the exploitation and demonisation of refugees. It's very political,to the point at times of hectoring. That aside it's a very entertaining and often moving read,probably less so if your politics aren't aligned with those of author Anders Lustgarten, with some incisive social comment

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen a couple of Anders Lustgarten’s plays and was interested to read his first novel, Three Burials.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The heroine of the piece is Cherry, a no-nonsense nurse, who is actually quite the tour de force. One thing is for sure, I really want Cherry in my corner!

The refugee crisis facing Europe is front and centre of this book. It’s a book with harrowing stories of migration, but also it’s about friendship and people trying to do the right thing. The world is far from perfect and there are people with deep prejudices - But I think this book focuses on the human spirit.

Despite the serious issues, it’s actually rather entertaining and there are some laugh out loud moments. Cherry and Andy get into some scrapes and they meet great characters willing to go the extra mile to help them. There are also some other entertaining characters in another thread of the story who help Asha.

I loved the references to Thelma & Louise in the book and also the humour. I look forward to other books from Anders Lustgarten.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers, Penguin, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to simultaneously devour this nonstop and marinate on each topic covered. Anders Lustgarten is bringing so many real, current topics to the forefront of his novel. It would be easy to take it in, think about it and move on. What we should do is take it in, understand it and change things. As I read though this novel, I made so many annotations and notes and things that I wanted to look up.
Immigration, politics, suicide, racism and corruption are intricately woven into each page. Sometimes, with snarky remarks (which I enjoyed) and sometimes with the gut-wrenching truth. Each character in the book has a back story that brings them to where they all collide. When you read the blurb about a head nurse (Cherry) being on the run with a police officer and dead refugee, don’t dismiss the idea that this is possible.
Each chapter is filled with adventure and social injustice. There are corrupt individuals and truth seekers. Some have hope and some deal with pain. Three Burials runs the gambit of emotions. I would love to see this added into high school and college classes as part of the curriculum. Just because this book takes place in London, doesn’t mean that every topic isn’t applicable all over the world.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself moved in so many directions by this excellent novel. I spent a long train journey alternating between chuckling out loud, gasping in horror and silently weeping as I devoured this fast paced novel, which I feel really encapsulates the zeitgeist of 21st century Britain. Funny and tragic by turns, Lustgarten explores serious themes with a lightness of touch which I found refreshing.

Yes, he is scathing about many aspects of British establishments, and rightly so. The plight and status of migrants, both legal and illegal are deftly explored and society is found wanting. I found myself agreeing with Lustgarten’s analysis of British society - it’s shocking treatment of anyone considered “other” and disdain for anyone not born and bred in this country, no matter their skills, knowledge or potential to contribute to the richness of British life.

I look forward to reading more from Lustgarten and seeing him develop his voice.

[Barbara Heckendorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is difficult for me to write a review. On the one hand, the story is well and coherently written, with a lot of dark humour, but on the other hand, the way the police behave made me angry, because unfortunately this is not just fiction, but also fact. That's why I didn't give it that many points.
African refugees try to cross the English Channel in a battered fishing boat. Omar is the leader, his goal is to find his girlfriend in London. A very brutal English policeman claims the right to find such boats in the water at night and drive the refugees back. When he and his cronies see Omar's boat, they board it and the policeman kicks and murders Omar. A young policeman films the whole thing.
The next morning, Cherry, a nurse, finds Omar's body on the beach and calls the police. The patalogue reveals that Omar was brutally murdered. Now a race against time begins. Cherry tries to bring his girlfriend's body to him, while the brutal policeman tries to prevent this.
This story shows how refugees are treated and how there are still a few ‘good’ people out there.
(3½)

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Migranten, racisme, machtswellust en liefde.
In dit boek het verhaal van de migrant, de verpleegkundige, de politieman de gekleurde Engelse bevolking.
De hoofdstukken afwisselend over de verschillende hoofdpersonen. De achtergrond van de migrant die naar Engeland wil. De verpleegkundige wiens zoon zelfmoord pleegde en dan een dode jongen vindt die op hem lijkt. De echtgenoot en dochter lijdend en opstandig om de dood van zoon en broer. De geliefde van de dode jongen. De politieman die Engeland wil beschermen tegen al die nieuwkomers en daarin veel te ver gaat. Zijn assistent die met zijn geweten geen raad weet. En dit allemaal prachtig en rauw beschreven.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fängt sehr stark an, verliert sich dann jedoch in zu überdrehter und übertriebener Action. Ja, Satire ist übertrieben und muss weh tun, sie ist hier zu Beginn auch sehr präsent, wird dann aber von Banalitäten und einer absolut nicht mehr glaubwürdigen Story abgelöst. Die Message ist weiterhin da, allerdings bekam ich zunehmend den Eindruck, dass die Story dieser vollkommen untergeordnet wird - davon abgesehen hat der Autor irgendwann vielleicht auch zu viele Themen reingekippt. Was ich vom Ende halten soll, weiß ich auch noch nicht.

Schade, denn es ging sehr vielversprechend los mit verrückten (nicht zu verrückten) Charakteren, gutem Witz und böser Satire.

2.5-3 Sterne