Gridlock: Amazon.ca: Ben Elton: Books

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by Ben Elton

3.5 out of 5 stars (11) CDN$ 9.89

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Product Description

NEW SCIENTIST

`The book is stuffed with funny lines and the lot is more gripping than any tyre advertisement.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Gridlock is when a city dies. Killed in the name of freedom and in the name of oil and steel. Choked on carbon monoxide and strangled with a pair of fluffy dice. But how did the world come to this and how did the freedom machine end up paralyzing everyone?

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Short and not so satisfying., Jun 30 2004

By	J. L. Wright (Nedlands, WA Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Gridlock (Paperback)

I thought that I'd really like this book because private car ownership is something I despise. I don't drive a car because I think that the world would be so much more pleasant if there simply weren't as many as there are and I'm not one to say 'if you cant beat em, join em'. But cars can't be beaten as Elton's character Geoffrey Spasmo finds out.

Elton seems to be on my plain of thinking when he opens the book with a short story about the 'Brainian' aliens who study other planets as part of a TV show every week. They could understand every aspect of human activity except one "You're trying to tell me that they're all going in the same direction, travelling to much the same destinations yet deliberately impeding each others progress by occupying their own completely empty tin box?" Elton's Branian producer remarks in disbelief "you're drunk!"

Although Elton's political theme was one I'm personally interested in, I think this book suffers from a lack of strong characters and entertaining 'social' subplots; it is almost totally devoted to the world of politics and business. Elton's political rants are agreeable (if you swing toward the left) and are written to tickle the funny bone but I think he finds greater humour in the social scenario. This is why I believe the humor didn't match up to Elton's usual standard, it lacked his hilarious remarks on social do's and dont's.

If you're just starting on Ben Elton, I'd recommend his first novel 'Stark' which centres around environmental degradation. Stark was hilarious and keeps you guessing. Dead Famous is another good Elton novel investigating the sleazeball ethics behind exploiting people for reality TV.

Gridlock wasn't bad but if I don't think it's Elton's best effort. I do think he's a great political satirist.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Clever and Funny, Jan 6 2004

By	alistair wiseman "AliWiseman" (Leiden Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gridlock (Paperback)

Very well written, much like some of the old audio / stand up, Ben is cutting, sharp, emotive, and provocative. The plot is probably a bit too close to the truth for the oil barons of this world, and the political aspect may well be the same. At times i was laughing out loud, at others i sat and thought ponderously, a good mix from any book. Read and enjoy.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and thoughtful, Jun 11 2002