Offence

by Adam Amari

A Killer Read. He didn’t write the book that’s sending shockwaves round the globe but it’s his name on the cover – and his life on the line. When Pasqual Wilbraham discovers his name on the cover of a controversial bestseller, he puts it down to coincidence and mistaken identity. If only everyone else would do the same. But Poor Soul has outraged religious, ethnic and sexual sensibilities worldwide and several mobs are out for its author’s blood. Part Bangladeshi, moderately dyslexic, cheerfully indolent, Pasqual is an unlikely purveyor of hate but that is how he is seen by many. Pursued by vigilantes, harassed by death threats, rebuffed by friends, his hitherto uneventful life soon turns into a nightmare from which there seems only one escape - to track down the true author of his misfortunes. Inspired by real-life events, Offence takes a wry look at culture wars and identity politics in modern Britain and one man’s quest to keep his head amid the intolerance and rage.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2019

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pasqual Wilbraham, the story’s main protagonist, finds himself drawn into a nightmare, being mistaken for the author of a controversial and deeply provocative book which is widely held to cast slights and insults on just about every world religion and minority group known to man. The book, Poor Soul, causes widespread offence and Pasqual finds himself the unwitting target of the subsequent outrage. Pasqual’s story is cleverly interwoven with excerpts of the book which he is accused of writing, and the reader is drawn into some very exotic worlds as well as tales of human anguish and tragedy.

Written with great warmth and a gentle humour, the characters are painted in vivid detail, each one subtly revealing their weaknesses, frailties, doubts, inner strength, and compassion, or a blend of these complex traits. Adam Amari hits just the right note between tension and satire, maintaining pace and intrigue right to the very last page. I found myself completely drawn into this book, but quite unable to anticipate how it might end. Strikingly and very cleverly written, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, without living up to its title!