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Meltdown

3.43 of 5 stars 3.43 · rating details · 846 ratings · 95 reviews

For amiable City trader Jimmy Corby money was the new Rock n' Roll. His whole life was a party, adrenalin charged and cocaine fuelled. If he hadn't met Monica he would probably have ended up either dead or in rehab.

But Jimmy was as lucky in love as he was at betting on dodgy derivatives, so instead of burning out, his star just burned brighter than ever. Rich, pampered and...more

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published November 5th 2009 by Bantam Press (first published 2008)

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Aug 27, 2011 Willsin Rowe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ben Elton is a writer I admire for several reasons. Sheer volume of output is one, as well as his diversity, using his talents for scripts, musicals and his own stand-up in addition to his books. His ability to focus on current events and generate a good novel from it is also admirable.
Until this book.
Firstly, let me say I might be judging this harshly because of the quality of previous work. I feel like a teacher saying “I know you could do better”, and really, who the heck am I anyway? But for...more Ben Elton is a writer I admire for several reasons. Sheer volume of output is one, as well as his diversity, using his talents for scripts, musicals and his own stand-up in addition to his books. His ability to focus on current events and generate a good novel from it is also admirable.
Until this book.
Firstly, let me say I might be judging this harshly because of the quality of previous work. I feel like a teacher saying “I know you could do better”, and really, who the heck am I anyway? But for my taste, and for all its good qualities, this book never really took off.
This is a novel set in and about the Global Financial Crisis. One of the strong themes that guides the story regards how quickly the crash came, and how rushed the decisions were in light of that. Unfortunately, I was left feeling that the same rush was applied to the writing of this book.
There are many good points, of course. Another of Elton’s strengths is in creating a solid ensemble cast of characters, and on this aspect he delivers again. Affable people, some of them. Others rank with hubris. Earnest, vain, clever, aimless. A group whose dynamic couldn’t help but drive a story through their conflicting natures.
Although I’m no financial guru, I can’t fault Elton’s research, either. Even if there are factual errors, this is after all a work of fiction. Writers can defy gravity, as far as I’m concerned, as long as it comes across in a believable way.
In the end, what made this book difficult for me was the actual delivery. While there were some sections of the book which more closely adhered to the old adage “show, don’t tell”, unfortunately they proved to be the exception. At times I felt I was reading a diary, but mostly I felt as if almost the entire book was written as an epilogue. There was an awful lot of explaining how characters had changed, and how positive or negative that was.
So...it’s a book that is by no means poor. Perhaps poorly executed? There was very little left for a reader to infer. It was almost like Elton was telling us a story over a beer at the local pub. It would probably have been more engaging that way.(less)

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Apr 09, 2013 Jillwilson rated it 2 of 5 stars

OK, so I’ve now read four books about the Global Financial Crisis. That has to be some sort of record. I’m not even the (direct) owner of any shares but I do know how greedy cowboys manipulated the sub-prime mortgage market in the States with a direct impact on my own little bit of superannuation here in Australia. Two of the books have been non-fiction – the fabulous Mr Michael Lewis with his penetrating analysis of gambling and excess in The Big Short and Boomerang, and John Lancaster’s novel...more OK, so I’ve now read four books about the Global Financial Crisis. That has to be some sort of record. I’m not even the (direct) owner of any shares but I do know how greedy cowboys manipulated the sub-prime mortgage market in the States with a direct impact on my own little bit of superannuation here in Australia. Two of the books have been non-fiction – the fabulous Mr Michael Lewis with his penetrating analysis of gambling and excess in The Big Short and Boomerang, and John Lancaster’s novel Capital. Ben Elton likes a topic. And this is a goodie – the excesses of the 90s , a main character whose biggest challenge has been how to ensure the structure of his Georgian house can hold a hot tub on the fourth floor and the construction of a three car garage underneath. The novel revolves around a small band of friends who prosper as Britain embraces New Labor. The advent of the GFC has a significant impact on the relationships and lifestyles of this group. Changing London is also a focus for this novel; like Martin Amis, it’s hard to imagine Elton writing about another locale.

Jenny Colgan, writing in The Guardian, said of this novel: “Topical fiction is incredibly difficult to do. Although lead times aren't what they were, newspapers and magazines traditionally cover the now, with the job of books being to clarify what on earth happened after the dust had settled. With notable exceptions such as Bonfire of the Vanities and Neuromancer – both books which ended up shaping the eras they represented – most successful "contemporary" books arrive several years after the events they depict. What a Carve Up!, Jonathan Coe's brilliant satire on Thatcher's 80s, was released in 1994; Phillip Hensher's A Northern Clemency, which recreated the taste of the 70s, was a Booker shortlist choice in 2008; and David Nicholls's fantastic Labour boom-years comedy One Day only came out this summer. (guardian.co.uk/books/2009/nov/07/melt....)

This is not Bonfire of the Vanities. The characters are put into directions and scenarios that feel somewhat forced. There is no plausible character development of any of the female characters and some basic plot solutions (if you need money, rent out some of the many rooms/floors/ car parking in your house) are not explored. But it is entertaining and rockets along as a story. As Colgan says: “Any other novelist who stopped the narrative every two chapters to hold an inane discussion on whether to send your child to a public school or to digress on overpriced crisps would be unbearable. But because it's Elton you somehow don't mind; he's got to get in his little bit of politics, and the funny lines make it enjoyable, even as the characters themselves steadfastly refuse to be anything other than mouthpieces.”
Elton must have had fun writing it; so much of the plot required no imagination at all. An entire riff about politicians rorting their entitlements comes straight from the 2009 political scandal that engulfed Britain (for example, real-life Conservative MP Douglas Hogg submitted a claim of roughly $3,000 for the clearing of a moat surrounding his country estate. He also put in $22,000 for a full-time housekeeper (and the car she drove); work done on his stables and even the tuning of his piano.)

In an interview about the novel, Elton said that he was motivated to write the novel as a result of the “changing face of morality over the last fifteen years”. He spoke of the increasing climate of de-regulation; e.g. banking de-regulation, self-regulation of the media, people are given latitude to police their own actions. It hasn’t worked; we see a pervasive climate of venality and self-centredness. The novel is something of a morality tale – those who are forced to live a simpler (read less moneyed) life are happier in the end. It has something in common with The Slap – which is an angrier book about entitlement and social mobility. Like The Slap, it’s a zeitgeist novel, Elton’s stock in trade.(less)

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Apr 24, 2013 Tom Conrad rated it 4 of 5 stars

Money, snobbery, insider trading and corrupt/vain politicians, and all deftly explored through the relationships of ten friends aka The Radish Club.

Any good?

Well, for my money, not the best of Ben Elton (read High Society or Blind Faith first), but a humorous enough tale which explores the City of London's financial "meltdown", and in an engaging way (if you're not au fait with what's been going on with it all, this is certainly a great and fun read to shed some light).

My major criticism of Melt...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Andrew rated it 3 of 5 stars

Firstly this isn't a terrible book and it does mirror the financial collapse which is still affecting day to day living years after the rot started,as a document of the times it is of interest but it's biggest problem is within it's characterisation.
The figures within the book offer little to sympathise with,they are representative of the financial whizz kids and yuppies much despised at this time being complicit in the disaster we have seen,I think Elton sets out to humanise these figures to of...more

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May 27, 2012 Lisa Walker rated it 3 of 5 stars

UK comedian and author Ben Elton has a knack of capturing the zeitgeist. Over recent years we have had Dead Famous, a spoof of Big Brother, Chartthrob, which satirises shows like Australian Idol and Blind Faith, which shows what can ensue when internet chat goes too far. Meltdown is his timely take on the global financial crisis.
Meltdown follows the rise and fall of amiable London futures trader, Jimmy and his chums. The boom years give Jimmy the usual trappings of success - a lovely wife and...more UK comedian and author Ben Elton has a knack of capturing the zeitgeist. Over recent years we have had Dead Famous, a spoof of Big Brother, Chartthrob, which satirises shows like Australian Idol and Blind Faith, which shows what can ensue when internet chat goes too far. Meltdown is his timely take on the global financial crisis.
Meltdown follows the rise and fall of amiable London futures trader, Jimmy and his chums. The boom years give Jimmy the usual trappings of success - a lovely wife and fab mansion with gym, Jacuzzi and indoor lift. When the market drops Jimmy and Monica find themselves paupers living in a mansion they no longer own. Monica, who used to call herself a ‘part-time charity worker and full-time mum’, finds this role somewhat more demanding when the nanny, cook and cleaner are let go.
Meanwhile, his university friends also fall one by one into hard times. Even Henry, an MP who you might expect to be immune from the monetary crisis, comes under fire from the media for bogus expense claims. The much-loved Robbo drives into a wall and police grill the villain of the piece, Rupert, about insider trading.
Meltdown is a pacy page turner with plenty of the amusing banter you’d expect from the script writer of series such as The Young Ones and Blackadder. I read it quickly and found it entertaining, but I’ll confess to some disappointment. The characters just didn’t grab me. It was hard to sympathise with any of them, even the central ones, Jimmy and Monica. The plot was fairly predictable and the writing lacked the sparkle of some of Elton’s previous works. I also felt that the satire, for example of people attending the ‘End Poverty’ concert, was a little trite. On the positive side, I did learn quite a lot about futures trading.
Perhaps Elton bashed this one out a bit too quickly to capture the moment before it was gone. Nonetheless he delivers funny lines on cue and his biting comments on the public versus private education systems are as topical here as in England.
For those who haven’t read Elton before, I’d recommend starting with one of his earlier works such as Popcorn. I still think he could do something fabulous with Masterchef though. (less)

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Jan 02, 2012 Stephen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Ben Elton is a really clever and funny author (script writer). He often sees the absurd in both sides of any argument. I enjoyed his treatises on the failings of capitalism, the banking sector and New Labour. He has some amusing and interesting insights. His insights are of the type in which you sit back, nod your head, and think to yourself yes I knew that! that's kind of how I would express myself (if I'd ever taken the time to formulate a clear argument and had written it down). So he's not o...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Steve Horsfall rated it 4 of 5 stars

Meltdown is another highly topical commentary from Ben Elton on modern society with the focus this time on the effects of the global financial crisis on the UK, encompassing individual and institutional greed that had become so passé up to the inevitable downturn. The world of finance had long since forgotten its own health warning of what goes up must come down and was instead able to breed a world of individual greed that saw no contentment in just making a million; it was how you used that mi...more Meltdown is another highly topical commentary from Ben Elton on modern society with the focus this time on the effects of the global financial crisis on the UK, encompassing individual and institutional greed that had become so passé up to the inevitable downturn. The world of finance had long since forgotten its own health warning of what goes up must come down and was instead able to breed a world of individual greed that saw no contentment in just making a million; it was how you used that million to make multi-millions that marked your place in the world. The central character Jimmy Corby is an Investment Banker who epitomised this greed as he hedged the value of his own home against buying more property to cash-in. The story here is told through Jimmy's situation and how it touches the lives of his old group of friends from university (`The Radishes') - here we have the most arrogant banker ever (Rupert) who runs one of Britain's top banks and payrolls all his honours through the government. The government is represented by Henry, a talented up-and-coming MP who truly hates Rupert but also ends up getting caught as the expenses scandal breaks. Robbo is married to a successful entrepreneur (Lizzie) and appears to have a laidback attitude about life as long as he can get a good pint of real ale, but even he was looking to cash in. Sanity in a mad world is mainly provided by Jimmy's wife Monica and his dad, Derek. Monica is an old hippy at heart and brings Jimmy back to reality during the bad times and is the rock that sees him through - Jimmy becomes quite likeable by the end and you realise the Monica is really the book's hero(ine). Derek represents the values of old fashioned banking and could have been smug in the extreme, but he is not and this again reinforces the message about how crazy this modern greed really was.

Meltdown is written almost like a play or one of those popular ITV drama serials like `Cold Feet' that covers the lives if several couples. There is a good use of contrast through flashback in showing the good and bad times. I also love some of the sub plot rants, like the old maths versus new maths as Jimmy moves his son from a private to a state school. It did take me a few chapters to get into the flow of the book but once I did it hit the mark. (less)

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Feb 15, 2010 Anthony Eaton rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've got something of a mixed relationship with Ben Elton's books. Some of them I've absolutely loved - right back to 'Stark', the first book of his I ever read and a brilliantly biting comedy. 'Dead Famous' is one of the finest examples of crime fiction I've ever read, as well as being a wonderful commentary on pop culture. Some of his books, though, I've found a little pedestrian - sort of by-the-numbers kind of writing. Nothing intrinsically bad about them, but nothing too brilliant, either.

A...more

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Jul 26, 2010 Jason Mills rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Elton buffs, credit-crunch victims, those seeking A Good Read.

Shelves: contemporary, fiction, humour, political

Elton's novels are addictive reads, made of plain, easy-going, forward-moving prose. They're frequently funny, hard to put down and unerringly topical. Meltdown focuses on the credit crunch and its fallout. We follow the fortunes (literally) of a group of friends, from their bonding at university, through their glittering careers, and on into the crash landings they face when the bottom falls out of the British economy.

Our main protagonist is Jimmy, a hapless city trader who gets rich during the...more

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Jan 22, 2011 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, library-book, satire, humour, hardback

Futures trader Jimmy Corby is hit hard by Britain's recession, and struggles to find a way to keep his family's heads above water. Among his closest friends are an expense-fiddling MP and a crooked banker, allowing Elton to take jabs at everything from cash for honours, MPs expenses, banking fatcats and bonuses, to Live8 and laissez-faire society.

Elton tends to be a very hit and miss writer. Meltdown isn't up there with his best (Dead Famous) but nor is it one of his worst (Maybe Baby). It's lar...more

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Sep 10, 2011 Emma Webb rated it 4 of 5 stars

*THERE ARE A FEW SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW - DO NOT READ IF YOU'VE NOT READ THE BOOK AND ARE PLANNING TO!!*

I am a HUGE fan of Ben Elton's writing, but this is probably one of my favorites.

It follows the highs and lows of a man (and his family) hit by the recession in England. As usual with Elton's books, it is chock-full of humour from start to finish, and this is especially apparent given the nature of the book.

I especially enjoy the way Elton can take a contemporary issue, particularly one so p...more

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Jan 28, 2010 Ipswichblade rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have read all Ben Elton's book and there has never been a duff one. This one doesn't quite reach the heights of Blind Faith or Chart Throb but still a very enjoyable and easy read.
Having taken a critical look at x factor, relgion, big brother, green issues etc in previous books its the banks and MPs who attract the brunt of Elton's anger in this one. It is the story of a group of friends and how they cope with the downturn and credit crunch of 2008. It particularly focuses on Jim and his wife...more

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Jan 23, 2011 Ian Mchugh rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is/was the first Ben Elton book I've ever read. I've previously avoided them as his smug face related to lots of banal tosh like "We Will Rock You", the Queen musical, left me with the belief that his books would be smug too.

This book was therefore a pleasant surprise. A mid-80s political rant - of which Elton was famous in his stand-up comedy days - it is not BUT it does have it's moments...

The story is incredibly contrived to cover the whole of the 90s, "New Labour" period and the subsequ...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Lauren Cooke rated it 1 of 5 stars

Possibly the worst book I have read in the past few years. Not only is the story direly predictable, but the characters are one dimensional idiots.

Had Ben Elton decided to take the credit crunch setting as a basis on which to build amusing yet fascinating characters, then the uninventive copying of real life events would have been understandable. However, the characters were not only unlikeable fools throughout (even the characters we were clearly meant to be rooting for were downright facetiou...more

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May 22, 2012 Jason Willson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Always topical and up to date, Ben Elton really knows how to interweave today's issues into his writing.

The financial boom and bust crisis, cash for honours, MP's expenses and even state versus private education are all neatly integrated into this story.

Jimmy, a good natured and happy go lucky fella, stumbles via a friend Into a career as a trader just at the right time making loads of dosh.

His mates all do well in Blairs Britain in the nineties as architects, MP's, bankers and really ride the...more

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Nov 22, 2010 Leeswammes rated it 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, as I usually do with Elton’s books, but this is not his best one. It dragged a little in the middle, and I thought there were too many irrelevant political (and other) issues that I felt the author wanted to add to the story because of his own interest.

The story jumped back and forth between the good times and the current times and also flash-backed to the past, when the friends were just starting their careers. I very much enjoyed the current time, in which Jimmy and Monica...more

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Dec 08, 2011 Isabel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lizzy Loves Organic.
Only good things inside. Good but very naughty!
50% sustainably sourced cardboard! (Lizzie's promise!)
A little of what you fancy!
Cornish Clotted Creamery from VERY happy cows!
Responsibly traded cocoa beans taste better!

You couldn't take a packet of crisps as a gift to a hostess, even though pretty much everybody likes crisps. But you could bring some of Lizzie's shaved turnip curls. Even though they tasted pretty grim.
They were just so beautifully presented.

Ben Elton's take on...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Leonie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I ended up liking this book but overall it was a mixed bag. It took a long while to get going. The story jumped from past to present frequently, to set up the scene and characterize the main players. I disliked the long 'discussions' about politics, probably because it's not a subject that excites me greatly. Also, not being from Britain, a lot of the specifics of the different political parties is out of my skope (though even here in NZ we heard about the politician who was charging the cleanin...more

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Feb 16, 2011 Balthazar Lawson rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When you learn to cook a new dish you will usually follow the receipe very closly. The more confident one gets the more one will begin to expiriment with the ingredients, add a bit more of this, cutting out that and substituting one ingredient for another. However, after a while what you end up with is far from the original receipe.

That's what this book was like to me.

I've read a few books by Ben Elton and this one, although it seems to follow the receipe, misses the mark. There seems to be too...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Bigmuzz added it · review of another edition

i think i have now read every ben elton novel there is. this isn't his best, and isn't his worst. average elton. written in the same ben elton style, pace and wit we've come to know, love and expect. quick, easy to read chapters and language. took me awhile to get into though, as i was having a little trouble finding any empathy with the characters. by about halfway through though it started to become more of a pageturner and a good way to waste a couple of days. kinda sad thoguh, cos now i've r...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Kell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

The plotting seems rather erratic at times – rather a jumble of back-and-forth through different times – but it does all come together quite neatly in the end. It’s not as clever, funny, or even as god as some of Elton’s other works, but it’s still a pretty good read and worth it if you’re a fan of his dry wit and satire. Don’t expect to be blown away by Meltdown, but take it at face value and enjoy it for what it is – a look at how far one can fall, how quickly it can happen, and how one copes...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Mark Nunn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this a lot more than the last couple of Ben Elton books I have read. It tells the story of the rise and fall of a group of friends. All who get very rich during the boom years from the late nineties and noughties. How this shapes their attitude to money, their justifications for their excesses and their belief that this is their entitlement.

When the boom ends and they are on the verge of losing everything they are forced to re-examine their values and to face the challenges that most...more

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Jan 30, 2010 Mandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-reviewers-copy, four-stars

Let’s start by establishing parameters. A very wise satirist once said these words: “Are you going put all the politics in, Ben? Are you gonna stick all that principle, all those concerns, are you going to shove all of that into the act?” “Well I’m not gonna bother, the politicians don’t anymore why should I? It’s all style and no content these days, isn’t it?” Well, this book is all style and full of content; that I can promise you.

The King of Satire is back and this time his target is the glob...more Let’s start by establishing parameters. A very wise satirist once said these words: “Are you going put all the politics in, Ben? Are you gonna stick all that principle, all those concerns, are you going to shove all of that into the act?” “Well I’m not gonna bother, the politicians don’t anymore why should I? It’s all style and no content these days, isn’t it?” Well, this book is all style and full of content; that I can promise you.

The King of Satire is back and this time his target is the global financial crisis. “Meltdown” is Ben Elton’s latest book and as he excels best, it is topical fiction to the max. The global financial crisis has touched us all in some way, some people affected more than others, and because of this everyone who reads this book will be able to relate. At the same time Mr Elton’s signature “knob gags” are thrown in. Now, don’t get too worried, by that term I mean his satirical humour and the token one-liners that Ben is famous for. One gem I loved was Jimmy on recycling:

“I hate recycling…it’s a week long reminder of how much we drink.”

The humour is littered throughout the novel but it is rightly placed, expanded on and does make those lips curl up at the sides. For a very serious issue Ben has managed to write a novel that gives a message, messages in fact, to its readers as well as providing comedic entertainment along the way.

The two Ts are prominent – trials and tribulations. We see the roller coaster journey of implications the global financial crisis (GC) has on partners, business, mates, families and self-conscience. The Radish Club (all will be revealed) has a one-way gold pass on this roller coaster we know as life; there are highs, there are lows but nobody could guess how the GC would rock their ride. Could the lows be predicted? Could the characters have avoided their plight down the highest slope of the roller coaster ending in the popcorn stand having to pay the pimply teenager whose mother still ironed his underpants? Could they have avoided the ticket? Do lovely, lovely things mean nix in the end? Has everything gotten too big?

Too big? The banks certainly don’t think so. The futures market doesn’t think so. The players don’t think so. Meltdown. Some people play with the hand they’re dealt – others bet too much. Meltdown. The words from someone who has seen the changes before, “Never use your house as collateral, son, it’s risking the seed corn,” go in one ear and out the other. Meltdown. Do yourself a favour and read this book, who knows, it may stop Meltdown banging at your door – at the very least you’ll get a right old laugh out of it.

Avoid the piss puddles, pay the ferryman and buy this book!

(less)

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Feb 02, 2013 Patrick Carroll rated it 2 of 5 stars

Not his best book and I lost sympathy for the main character, it was all a bit "heart of gold" once he sees what has "true" value then he'll cope with the collapse of his world but it all turned out OK even from a financial perspective. I sort of feel Ben might have "mates" in the investment and banking worlds and to me the sub-text was "it isn't their fault" but it was because of their flagrant draining off of "profit". Generally the ending left me feeling really annoyed, all a bit twee.

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Jul 24, 2011 Sally rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: popular-fiction

I have noticed people are being quite hard on Ben Elton lately - not sure why? I have loved every single one of his books, they are all different, all interesting, mostly dealing with significant social issues and Meltdown is no exception. I thought it was a great book - it made me think whilst entertaining me immensely at the same time. Ben Elton creates very real characters, people you know, people you can relate to (well usually - This Other Eden, Popcorn and Stark aside). Plus he writes in a...more

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May 10, 2011 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: electronic

This was my first Ben Elton book and it won't be my last. (I'm already reading Stark. :) There are some laugh-out-loud spots and some interesting twists and wrinkles.

With very few exceptions, these aren't people with whom I'd want to spend any time in real life. Rupert in particular is insufferable. But as characters in a novel, I quite enjoyed them even though they're about as deep as water in my cat's bowl.

And I'll never think of radishes the same way again!

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Jan 16, 2010 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: holiday readers

Recommended to Sam by: Christmas present

Light book about how the GFC affects a group of friends- a futures trader, banker, architect, politician, businessman etc. Jumps back and forth from the present to the rich times before the GFC. The ending is a bit unbelievable (so many coincidences) but it's worth a read. I found it a little confusing when it jumps in time (maybe the past could have been in a different font) and some of the arguments about the excesses of the financial sector I found a bit boring. But hey, it's topical and feel...more

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Feb 22, 2010 Hinch rated it 2 of 5 stars

An easy but forgettable read from Ben Elton. The plot was bland, the characters lightweight stereotypes, and the hastily delivered ending swam in sentimentalism. There were moments of humor, and brief glimpses of social insight; there were even passages, particularly those describing the life of an overwhelmed and under financed parent, that felt authentic, even moving. These splashes of color, however, were insufficient saviors, for this whimsical throwaway read.

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Aug 08, 2010 Cathrine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Six friends from uni and their life through the 1990's and the Noughties. Six friends who got it all, families, friends and fortune and never thought things would change so quickly as it did in the autumn of 2008. Six friends who suddenly are hit by failure instead of success and that's when real life begins.

A funny and satirical take on the credit crunch and the British MPs allowance scandal, which they all were part of creating.

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Oct 13, 2010 D'face rated it 4 of 5 stars

What a timely novel! It follows the lives of five friends and their partners through the global financial crisis and the UK politicians' fraud scandals. Each of the friends fails in one way or another, some quite spectacularly, but the novel finishes with a very positive message about working in a field that interests you, not being pretentious, generosity, honesty and family values. Highly recommended and best enjoyed with a cold beer on a sunny verandah one lazy Sunday afternoon in Melbourne!

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No! Jimmy protested is now the most famous line in that book	1	13	Aug 09, 2012 09:46pm

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About Ben Elton

Ben Elton was born on 3 May 1959, in Catford, South London. The youngest of four, he went to Godalming Grammar school, joined amateur dramatic societies and wrote his first play at 15. He wanted to be a stagehand at the local theatre, but instead did A-Level Theatre Studies and studied drama at Manchester University in 1977.

His career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memo...more

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“No!" Jimmy protested.” — 30 people liked it

“You think I look like a teletubby?” — 11 people liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6902680-meltdown?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320432017l/6902680.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6902680-meltdown?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Meltdown by Ben Elton[/url]

Meltdown

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