Reading the 20th Century discussion

Any Tibor Fischer fans in the house?


I was reminded about his as my book group is currently reading...

How to Rule the World (2018)


I remember enjoying...

Under the Frog (1993)

and

The Thought Gang (1994)

...back in the pre GoodReads days of the 1990s


How to Rule the World has started most promisingly. I have high hopes

London. A city robbing and killing people since 50BC.

The Vizz: an industry in crisis. Baxter Stone, a film maker and television veteran, a lifelong Londoner (who thinks he sees better than others) is having problems in the postbrain, crumbling capital. Swindled by an insurance company, he's in in debt; a Lamborghini is blocking his drive and MI6 is blocking his mobile reception.

He hopes to turn it round and get the documentary series that will get him the Big Money. But what do you do if history is your sworn enemy and the whole world conspires against you? Is there any way, you could, for a moment, rule the world justly?

Darkly comic, How to Rule The World follows Baxter's battle for truth, justice and classy colour grading as it takes him from the pass of Thermopylae, to the peacocking serial killers of Medieval France, and the war in Syria. A trip from the Garden of Eden to Armageddon, plus reggae.

Demonstrating Fischer's inimitable talent for eviscerating social satire, How to the Rule the World is a magnificently funny read to stand alongside his best loved works, the Man Booker shortlisted Under the Frog, The Thought Gang and Don't Read This Book If You're Stupid

I have only read Under the Frog, which I quite enjoyed. Unfortunately Fischer has been supporting Viktor Orban's regime publicly recently, which makes him rather difficult to like.

Yes, I saw he'd been making some ill advised statements and courting controversy

I finished How to Rule the World (2018) last night and really enjoyed it. I hope to compose a review at some point today.

It's an energetic, world weary, angry first person narration by a disaffected TV documentary maker which makes for a surprisingly engrossing novel. This somewhat incoherent satirical novel is full of amusing one liners, interesting insights, colourful characters and a global backdrop.

Tibor Fischer has lost none of his insight, creativity and comedic abilities since his Booker-shortlisted debut Under the Frog (1992) broke through almost three decades ago.

Actually that might be my review right there.

Nigeyb wrote:


"I finished How to Rule the World (2018) last night and really enjoyed it. I hope to compose a review at some point today"

And here it is...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4/5