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Challenge
Fast-paced Australian political fiction, Challenge unfolds over three days in an atmosphere of treachery and deceit, amid a looming federal leadership challenge.
Opposition leader Daniel Slattery is a former sporting hero from the wrong side of the tracks, politically principled and courageous, but also personally unhinged and highly volatile. He is determined to stand the political moral high ground while fighting for his job - and a rearguard action against the phantoms of his dark past. Who is working to trash his reputation and derail his one tilt at the prime ministership? Is it real - or just demons inside his head?
Blistering and blackly comic, Challenge puts us into the shoes of a man whose life is slipping away as he confronts the abyss of modern Australian politics.
Opposition leader Daniel Slattery is a former sporting hero from the wrong side of the tracks, politically principled and courageous, but also personally unhinged and highly volatile. He is determined to stand the political moral high ground while fighting for his job - and a rearguard action against the phantoms of his dark past. Who is working to trash his reputation and derail his one tilt at the prime ministership? Is it real - or just demons inside his head?
Blistering and blackly comic, Challenge puts us into the shoes of a man whose life is slipping away as he confronts the abyss of modern Australian politics.
- GenresFiction
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Paul Daley
30 books16 followersAuthor and journalist Paul Daley's books—Canberra, Collingwood: A Love Story, Beersheeba and Armaggedon—have been finalists in major literary awards, including the Nib, the Manning Clark House Cultural Awards and the Prime Minister's History Prize. He is the winner of the Walkley Award for Investigative Journalism and the Paul Lyneham Award for Press Gallery journalism. In 2013 he co-wrote, with Katie Pollock, the acclaimed political play, The Hansard Monologues. He also writes essays and short stories, and about history and national identity for The Guardian and Meanjin. He lives in Canberra with his wife, Lenore Taylor, and their children. This is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 20, 2019
I almost gave up on this. The main character is hard, ruthless and foul-mouthed, he has so many flaws he is the epitome of the worst of politicians. However, he has an underlying idealism and a desire to be more honest. A strange combination.
Once I got past my initial aversion to the character I became intrigued and then wanted to find out how he would deal with the obstacles being put in his way and the power plays around him. Finally, I actually wanted him to succeed and survive.
That was quite a turnaround. Well done Paul Daley.
Once I got past my initial aversion to the character I became intrigued and then wanted to find out how he would deal with the obstacles being put in his way and the power plays around him. Finally, I actually wanted him to succeed and survive.
That was quite a turnaround. Well done Paul Daley.
October 23, 2015
This boo was unlike anything I've really ever read before. Solid 4.5 stars. I have to say, the lack of talking marks drove me mental, but once I got used to it, mostly, it wasn't quite as infuriating. The story was well worth soldiering through the lack of them. Dark and cutting are usually fluff words publishers use to sell the book, but they actually apply here. This book all felt a little bit surreal, but totally grounded in reality at the same time.
The thinly-veiled disguise of former Labor heroes like Hawke and Keating were fascinating to read, as well as the disdain for shows like Masterchef and X Factor. This was a truly contemptuous look at the state of Aussie politics, and every word rang true. It has confirmed the fact, though, that I never, ever, ever want to be an elected official. Not ever.
The thinly-veiled disguise of former Labor heroes like Hawke and Keating were fascinating to read, as well as the disdain for shows like Masterchef and X Factor. This was a truly contemptuous look at the state of Aussie politics, and every word rang true. It has confirmed the fact, though, that I never, ever, ever want to be an elected official. Not ever.
June 24, 2015
This is a brilliant political thriller, set in Canberra, around a leadership challenge to the opposition leader. As his enemies and supporters surround him and his past catches up with him, the story becomes one rich in intrigue and drama. As a follower of Australian politics and a former resident of Canberra, so much of this story resonated with me and I saw analogies with real people and real situations emerging. A riveting read and an addictive page turner. It had me hooked into the wee hours right through to the surprising revelations in the last few chapters. Highly recommended - especially if you follow politics.
December 18, 2014
What a cracker! Fast, furious, funny (frightening!), a great novel for political junkies, full of guts and glory. (Possibly the funniest and fiercest political novel I've read since Andrew McGahan's Underground.)I loved it.
August 6, 2023
A gripping story of a political dilemma. While the action takes place in only a few days, there is plenty of backstory included to develop Daniel Slattery into a very believable and not completely likeable leader of the Labor opposition. If only politicians in real life were as credible.
November 6, 2014
In an interview from the Sydney Morning Herald with author Paul Daley, he describes the character of Daniel Slattery from CHALLENGE as :
“a “cross between Mark Latham and Holden Caulfield”. “He's a misogynist, idealist, class warrior and economic rationalist, but he's principled," says Daley. "He cares about minorities including indigenous Australians and the poor. He has a fascination and old-fashioned respect for women, lives his political life as an allegory of sorts and likes to use his stories to illustrate how others less fortunate want to live their life. But he's a very angry man too." “*
Whilst the comparison with Mark Latham might provide some political watchers with pause for thought, there's no doubt that Slattery is an interesting, albeit challenging character – regardless of where the inspiration came from. There are more references, hints and reminders dotted throughout most of the characters in this book that could have you reaching for the reference materials. As CHALLENGE is as close to a one sitting read as it gets, it may be that you're not going to want to spare the time.
Despite Slattery's most outrageous moments, there's something sadly endearing about a politician with conviction. Like 'em or loathe 'em, Slattery's epiphany is to be honest. To say what he thinks, and to mean what he says. Hear that odd rustling noise? That's party machine apparatchiks everywhere fanning themselves and reaching for the tranquillisers. The thriller aspect of CHALLENGE then becomes about the campaign to undo Slattery's leadership, right at the time that the opposition has a chance of winning an election.
That the underhandedness of the campaign has the validity that it does in this novel is a sobering prospect. That the idea that a politician might actually make a commitment to stand up for something (other than getting elected) particularly saddening in the time around the death of Mr Whitlam. One of the tributes written about his time in politics that resonated particularly is that he was the last of the leaders who “appealed less to people's material instincts than to their better instincts.”** Whilst not for a moment could you compare the fictional with the real-life, there's something in this story, in this character that is saying something about the higher principle. Albeit from a somewhat dodgy, all too human starting-point.
Which is also part of his strength, and a reminder of what's so wrong about politics these days. Slattery is undeniably no perfect character. He has made, and continues to make some questionable personal decisions, just as many of us have done and do. And he will stand up and admit, even when it's painful to do so (and not just for him). It's very telling how things from his past are twisted, manipulated and used to pressure, and ultimately build or destroy somebody, all on the whim of the “faceless men”.
CHALLENGE is definitely a thriller in style, as the race to deflect the power brokers, and flush the games builds, alongside the pressure that Slattery, as Opposition Leader feels. Darkly funny at times, especially when getting the gloves off and stuck into the hypocrisy, and the stupidity, and the bastardry, it's a reminder of just how treacherous people can be. There's some telling insights into the havoc that a politician's lifestyle can visit on those around them, and whilst they might be rewarded financially, it's a reminder that money, as is power, can be a rather meaningless outcome.
* http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/b...
** http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituar...
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
“a “cross between Mark Latham and Holden Caulfield”. “He's a misogynist, idealist, class warrior and economic rationalist, but he's principled," says Daley. "He cares about minorities including indigenous Australians and the poor. He has a fascination and old-fashioned respect for women, lives his political life as an allegory of sorts and likes to use his stories to illustrate how others less fortunate want to live their life. But he's a very angry man too." “*
Whilst the comparison with Mark Latham might provide some political watchers with pause for thought, there's no doubt that Slattery is an interesting, albeit challenging character – regardless of where the inspiration came from. There are more references, hints and reminders dotted throughout most of the characters in this book that could have you reaching for the reference materials. As CHALLENGE is as close to a one sitting read as it gets, it may be that you're not going to want to spare the time.
Despite Slattery's most outrageous moments, there's something sadly endearing about a politician with conviction. Like 'em or loathe 'em, Slattery's epiphany is to be honest. To say what he thinks, and to mean what he says. Hear that odd rustling noise? That's party machine apparatchiks everywhere fanning themselves and reaching for the tranquillisers. The thriller aspect of CHALLENGE then becomes about the campaign to undo Slattery's leadership, right at the time that the opposition has a chance of winning an election.
That the underhandedness of the campaign has the validity that it does in this novel is a sobering prospect. That the idea that a politician might actually make a commitment to stand up for something (other than getting elected) particularly saddening in the time around the death of Mr Whitlam. One of the tributes written about his time in politics that resonated particularly is that he was the last of the leaders who “appealed less to people's material instincts than to their better instincts.”** Whilst not for a moment could you compare the fictional with the real-life, there's something in this story, in this character that is saying something about the higher principle. Albeit from a somewhat dodgy, all too human starting-point.
Which is also part of his strength, and a reminder of what's so wrong about politics these days. Slattery is undeniably no perfect character. He has made, and continues to make some questionable personal decisions, just as many of us have done and do. And he will stand up and admit, even when it's painful to do so (and not just for him). It's very telling how things from his past are twisted, manipulated and used to pressure, and ultimately build or destroy somebody, all on the whim of the “faceless men”.
CHALLENGE is definitely a thriller in style, as the race to deflect the power brokers, and flush the games builds, alongside the pressure that Slattery, as Opposition Leader feels. Darkly funny at times, especially when getting the gloves off and stuck into the hypocrisy, and the stupidity, and the bastardry, it's a reminder of just how treacherous people can be. There's some telling insights into the havoc that a politician's lifestyle can visit on those around them, and whilst they might be rewarded financially, it's a reminder that money, as is power, can be a rather meaningless outcome.
* http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/b...
** http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituar...
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
August 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this feisty behind the scenes Aussie political thriller. Daley offers an insider's view of Canberra, the craziness of party machines, the daily news cycle and the chaos and insanity of leadership battles. Much fun to be had picking who the different fictional politicians are based on and 100 extra points for the takedown of Australia's obsession with reality tv cooking shows.
April 19, 2015
A good yarn. It was fun to read a book set in Canberra.
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March 25, 2015Didn't get into this book. Too jargonistic and political for me. Might have gotten better but didn't want to waste my time when I wasn't interested
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews