The Leaky Establishment

by David Langford, Terry Pratchett (Introduction)

THE LEAKY ESTABLISHMENT is an atomic farce whose author David Langford once worked in the gentle radioactive glow of Britain's nuclear weapons industry, and hilariously satirizes its ghastly bureaucracy from the inside. Black comedy overtakes the unfortunate defence-scientist hero Roy Tappen when a "harmless" theft of office furniture lands him with his very own doomsday nuclear stockpile at home. Chain reactions of insanely comic escapades follow, with disaster piled on disaster, leading the increasingly desperate Tappen to the borders of science fiction as he seeks a way out of the mess. With an introduction by Terry Pratchett.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Humor, Comedy, British Literature

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

British science-fiction author, editor and critic. He publishes the newsletter Ansible.

Reviews

[Bob Pitman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I used to work in a place very similar (and about 5 miles away) to the AWE establishment the author parodies in this book (Aldermaston)and for Redbury read Reading.
I recognise a lot of the "types" especially the MOD police who were quite a lot as described (ours used to have a shooting range and club on site, we called it "the Ponderosa". The ridiculously over-complicated regulations that governed the site and the people on it.
A lot of this book rings true, it is a slight parody but it is so close to the truth in places that peope outside would not believe it! There is a house in Earley that was one of the most radioactive in the UK, there was a suspicion that Esso had run a small reactor in secret underground chambers quite a lot like Pells "shelter". I wonder if the author was aware of that when he wrote the book - it may have been revealed after the book came out!

I enjoyed it but time has not been kind, theres plenty here to confuse anyone from the Internet age, the odd and rare computers were standalone, security included a reflective screen on windows to prevent anyone taking pictures, and we were warned about looking up as satellites could image us and allow us to be targeted! I used to make a point of giving the Soviet satellite a nice early morning smile and wave every day... and the rabbits were everywhere!

Lots of good stuff especially relevant for those of us who did time in the industry, but just a smidgen dated!

Overall I enjoyed it, some nice reminiscing and not so far from the truth as anyone would wish!

[Kylie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up entirely on the strength that Terry Pratchett had written the foreword and a positive quote. The sense of humour is quite Pratchett-like, but within the confines of a modern (well, 80's) farce rather than fantasy. As someone who has worked both as a civil servant and for local councils I recognised some of the events, attitudes and characters despite not being in the Nuclear industry - and while there are elements that are an artefact of when it was written much of it is still relatable today.

That being said, while it was a read interesting in it's obscurity, I can't say I was overly impressed by it and it's not something I will be shouting to my friends about until they're sick of hearing about it.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read that brought back a few memories, in fact it's a bit close to the truth.

Set in a place named Robinson Heath :) just revearse the name (:, our hero Tappen :) named after the piece of skin that seals a bears bum during hibernation (:, has a number of misadventures

A bit flat but a fun read for those who know.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because it was recommended, highly praised, and prefaced by Terry Pratchett. I can see the attraction to it for someone who was a Press Officer to a nuclear power station at around the same time the author of the book was, but the book has not aged well, mostly due to the Positive Vetting officers' obsession with homosexuality as a sign of an undesirable employee. That aside, neither Tappen nor Llewellyn are likable characters, Lizzie is a flat character, and the first two thirds of the book could have been shorter. The end is set up well and is quite exciting but it's hard work getting there.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read because it was one of Terry Pratchett's favourites. It was fine, but as many below have said, Terry probably loved it because he worked in the nuclear industry. Had some funny moments for the lay person though.

[David Raz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I added "The Leaky Establishment" to my reading list based on a recommendation by the late Sir Pratchett, who also contributed an introduction. The book is filled with quintessential British humor, often delivered as inside jokes that may have resonated more with Pratchett than with me.

The narrator's wit and the situational farce were enjoyable, providing moments of genuine humor. However, much of the humor relies heavily on British culture and inside jokes, making it somewhat challenging for readers outside that context to fully appreciate.

In summary, "The Leaky Establishment" is a cleverly written book with moments of comedy and wit. However, its reliance on British humor may limit its appeal to a broader international audience. I would rate it three out of five stars, acknowledging its humor but recognizing that it might be best suited for those well-versed in British culture and humor.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't re-read books very often, but I have read this a number of times and enjoyed it every time.

The book has a similar feel to the BBC television series "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister" as it features the complexities of the British civil service, although in this case not from Whitehall but in that out of the way research establishment Robinson Heath.

If you are self conscious about laughing out loud do not read this book in public. I found it very funny, but then I have a very British sense of humour.

Well worth the read, it is excellent.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think of it as a minor episode of "Yes Minister" and you get the feeling . It's not so funny as it hopes to be and the scenario is just a bit too implausible in the end although the preparations for the Royal visit are spot on .

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard farce. A few references that have definitely dated to the edge of comprehensibility. I think Pratchett loves it specifically because of his time working for a power station, not for its intrinsic merit. 3.5 stars.

[Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fun!

[Paul Millington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worryingly accurate description of government work!

[Darjeeling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horribly out of date but it made me laugh.

[Blanka Lednická · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neurazí, ale ani nenadchne. Na můj vkus asi až příliš překombinované... :)

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully whacky. Would suit Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adam's fans.

[Les Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Luca Morandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best for me, a book that aged a bit unwell, especially for the gay part.
I understood what would happen at the beginning already. And didn't enjoy it too much

[Pat Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed every page of this book although somehow it's not a real page turner. Relatable and funny all the way through.

[Molokov · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me of those 1980's British farces, where the scenario just gets worse and worse, usually due to the protagonist's "clever" plans failing due to bad luck and not really being all that clever. Given that it's set (and written) in the 80's, this matches up, but the book itself has not aged well - not only the technology, but the social attitudes portrayed in this book seem incredibly dated. It's OK, just not something that had me laughing out loud - just like if I watched a classic 80's farce today I'd probably not find it very funny and quite discomforting - because that's what the humour of the time was like. This book belongs in the time and place it was released - 1980's Britain - and doesn't really hold up today.

[Paul Knighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent combination of intelligent wit and sarcasm amidst the "fictional" setting of a nuclear research centre in 1980's England. Frenetic fun!

Like Terry Pratchett (who wrote a foreword stating that this was the book he should have written) and a host of other British authors I admire (e.g. P.G. Wodehouse, Tom Sharpe) the author writes in a dry, humorous, comical and witty style. It was a pleasurable page-turner that often generates spontaneous smirks, giggles as well as the occasional reaching for a dictionary / the worldwide web to explain an exotic word or unfamiliar reference.

As a result of so thoroughly enjoying my first read from this author, I have already ordered other tales by David Langford and I look forward to more such intelligent wit and humour.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novel written in 1984 about British nuclear research and non-fossil fuel electricity generation, it remains very topical in 2012. Obviously it originally caught my eye because Terry Pratchett has written a green with envy introduction about how he should have written this novel, not David Langford - that's what you get for day dreaming about little people living in your carpet and of flat worlds carried through the cosmos on the back of 4 elephants and a great turtle.

Also David Langford wrote a book around the same time about the home computer revolution called Micromania, which I can also highly recommended.

[Kate Millin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed by this book, I think that it was a little but of an insiders joke book. The main premise of the book is the ridiculousness of the levels of security - not focussing in the right areas.

From the back of the book

The Leaky Establishment is an atomic farce whose author once worked in the gently radioactive glow of the Britain's nuclear weapons industry, and hilariously satirizes it's ghastly bureaucracy from the inside. Black comedy overtakes the unfortunate defence- scientist hero when a "harmless" theft of office furniture lands him with his very own doomsday nuclear stockpile at home.

[cover72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best humoristic books I've ever read. Unpredictable turns of events, realistically insane characters, ranging from journalists through famous scientists with silly theories to annoying security personnel, dozens of wonderfully humorous situations...
Terry Pratchett wrote about this book that "it is one of those books you have to buy... And then buy two more for your friends to read." Well, that is true. Problem is, since everybody buys three of these books, when I returned to the bookstore for my nr. 2 and 3, they were sold out!

So get it while you still can.

[Jindřich Čermák · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knížka o tom, jak jednoduché je propašovat dvě jaderné hlavice z JEVÚL (Jaderněenergetický výzkumný ústav a laboratoře) a jak nesmírně obtížné je vrátit zpátky. Plná britského humoru, britské byrokracie, britského čaje a objeví se i královna. Pro mě velmi příjemné překvapení a perfektní zábava.

Pokud vás rozesměje přirovnání "mžoural ven jedním okem s nadšením homosexuálního židovského příslušníka hnutí odporu, vítajícího zbloudilou hlídku gestapa", tak neváhejte s přečtením.

[A.K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing, funny set-up, too much reliance on "naughtiness" for humor, nice variety of weird characters, frequent current event references and Britishisms I didn't quite get. Overall a light, fun read, but probably won't go out of my way to seek out more from this author.

[Stephen Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

DL's funniest, a classic Brit-romp of accident, incompetence and much more, based on his own experiences of the nuclear science industry. I've always loved this one!

[Vasil Kolev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun, though somewhat muddled at some moments.

[Tracey]

Recco in A Slip of the Keyboard: Collected Non-Fiction

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this quite a while ago. Quick-witted fun poked at an industry always concerned with public opinion of its safety.

[Mid · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent parody of bureaucracy and the gap between those who love science and those who fund it.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish, got halfway through. The humor was more suited to a 10 year old boy. If these guys were any dumber they couldn't have figured out how to get out of the house.