Stewart Lee-Content Provider
Faber
Before I start this review I should state that I am left wing which is not a popular position today. I voted to remain in the European Union. I also do not think that immigrants are causing the problems that we have in this country. I personally think things like tax evasion are a bigger problem. I am a big believer in what is today generally called "social justice." I think that paying more tax is small price to pay (no pun intended) if it meant a smaller gap between the rich and the poor. For anyone who does not hold this kind of belief this book is not for them.
For those not in the know Stewart Lee is a comedian. He is not an observational comedian. He often has long repetitive routines. The difference here is that the columns are not long. With this in mind you could say that they don't quite play to his strengths. The format is a lot tighter when compared to his lose style of stand up. The concept of the book is not entirely original as Charlie Brooker has done the same thing before, however, this is Stewart Lee so it is not going to feel unoriginal. The book acts as something of an account of everything that has happened in British politics over the last five years, starting with the Royal Wedding, through to the Olympics, UKIP, and the NHS all the way to the present day with the medias demonization of Jeremy Corbyn.
Lee makes use of a past idea by having many of the articles followed by a comment that someone has made online, which is ill informed and out of context. These people do not understand that much of the content provided (ha!) is exaggerated and fictionalised.
Ill admit that sometimes the book does verge on self indulgence and some of the articles probably do require repeated readings to truly understand, but ultimately your enjoyment of this book is dependant on how much you agree with the views that are being put across.
All in all, if you like Stewart Lee, youll like this book, if you don't you wont.
Nathan Foster.
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