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Jesus and the adman
Qu'est-ce qu'un publicitaire en panne d'inspiration, aussi jeune et dévoré d'ambition soit-il ? Johnny Yells, trente ans, est un jeune publicitaire ambitieux en mal d'inspiration. Au cours de l'enterrement de son père, il déniche par hasard, au fond de l'église, l'image idéale qui servira à illustrer la campagne d'une compagnie d'assurances : une icône du Christ. Très vite ce " Jésus souriant " s'affiche sur tous les murs de la ville, pour vendre un contrat d'assurance-vie, et remporte les suffrages des professionnels du monde de la publicité, ouvrant ainsi à Johnny les portes de la réussite, du confort et de la reconnaissance. Alors que le succès, sa promotion, sa nouvelle voiture et l'achat d'un appartement dans l'un des quartiers les plus chics de la ville avec son amie Penny devraient le plonger dans la plus totale des béatitudes, Johnny ne se sent pas en forme. Outre un méchant rhume qui le cloue au lit, il est de plus en plus obsédé par l'idée de la mort, de la vie éternelle et, chose étrange, il jurerait que son " Jésus souriant " a changé d'expression.... Crise mystique ou dépression ? De plus en plus énigmatique pour son entourage, Johnny s'enferme dans un dialogue intérieur et, fasciné, part à la recherche de réponses qui l'entraînent aux limites de la mort. Une fable moderne qui nous invite aussi à réfléchir sur le processus de déshumanisation de la société de consommation.
194 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Rhidian Brook
12 books128 followersRhidian Brook (born 1964) is a novelist, screenwriter and broadcaster.
His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (Harper Collins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman (Harper Collins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath, was published in April 2013 by Penguin UK, Knopf US and a further 18 publishers around the world. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Short Story.
His first commission for television - Mr Harvey Lights A Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He is adapting The Aftermath as a feature for Scott Free and BBC Film.
He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family’s journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007.
He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4’s "Thought For The Day" for more than twelve years.
He lives with his wife and two children in London.
His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (Harper Collins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman (Harper Collins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath, was published in April 2013 by Penguin UK, Knopf US and a further 18 publishers around the world. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Short Story.
His first commission for television - Mr Harvey Lights A Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He is adapting The Aftermath as a feature for Scott Free and BBC Film.
He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family’s journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007.
He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4’s "Thought For The Day" for more than twelve years.
He lives with his wife and two children in London.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 28, 2016
Definitely worth reading!!!
Great lessons, great 'eye-opener'... ;)
Great lessons, great 'eye-opener'... ;)
August 8, 2011
A cautionary tale of what iconography consumerism should and shouldn't use. An enjoyable tale.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews