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Ben Elton is one of Britain's most provocative and entertaining writers. From celebrity to climate change, from the First World War to the end of the world, his books give his unique perspective on some of the most controversial topics of our time. He has written twelve major bestsellers, including Stark, Popcorn, Inconceivable (filmed as Maybe Baby, which he also directed), Dead Famous, High Society (WH Smith People's Choice Award 2003) and The First Casualty. He has also written some of television's most popular and incisive comedy, including The Young Ones, Blackadder and The Man From Auntie. His stage work includes three West End plays and the hit musicals The Beautiful Game and We Will Rock You. He is married with three children.
While all Elton's ventures (stand-up comic, TV sitcom author) have enjoyed considerable success, his writing has had a hit-or-miss quality that alternates between witty and inventive writing and crass or unfunny work. It's good to report that this novel is Elton at his very best: tightly plotted, with a wealth of well-developed characters and (most importantly) splenetically funny. Starting with a joke in the very title, Elton introduces us to Sam and Lucy, who seem to be enjoying the good life, with Sam's BBC career in full expense-account flourish, while Lucy plans for their first baby. But are the couple infertile? Sam, while not objecting to the idea of fatherhood, has ambitions to write a hit movie. Although the series of undignified tests strain the couple's relationship, the life-affirming qualities of Elton's warmly involving narrative has us hoping for a happy resolution. Possibly Elton's most mature novel - and certainly one of his funniest. (Kirkus UK)
