Riotous Assembly


By Tom Sharpe (1971)

For those with an exaggerated deference for the ruling classes, this satirical novel should prove the most powerful antidote - far more powerful than non-fiction works such as "The Establishment".  This because there are things you can say in fiction that are completely unsayable in factual books, but that really get to the nub of reality nonetheless. 

You might be tempted to assume that most of the situations and characters in Riotous Assembly are hyperbolic, but actually humans are indeed awful.  Take, for example, the first few chapters of Matthew Syed's "Black Box Thinking" which demonstrate very clearly, albeit in far more measured tones, that humans, when given power and prestige, are indeed utterly ridiculous to the point of being stupid and pernicious to the nth degree.  Tom Sharpe actually isn't stretching a point very far.

It is also riotous good fun and very funny in places.

Rating 7/10




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