What do you think?
Rate this book
Unpresidented: A Comedy of Errors
In the irreverent tradition of her best-selling Death by Carbs , Paige Nick rounds up a fresh herd of sacred cows in another hilarious South African satire . But this time it’s Number One who gets the treatment. When ex-president J Muza is released from prison on medical parole for an ingrown toenail, his expectations of a triumphant return to power and admiration are cruelly dashed. His once lavish Homestead is a rotting shell, his remaining wives have ganged up on him, the Guppies have blocked his number, and not even Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe will take his calls any more. And he just can’t seem to get his plans for world domination off the ground. Muza is banking on his memoirs full of fake news to pep up his profile, but his ghostwriter, a disgraced journalist, has problems and a tight deadline of his own. What Muza’s not banking on is a fat bill for outstanding rates on The Homestead, and a 30-day deadline to pay back the money, before the bailiffs arrive to evict him. Is Muza a mastermind, or simply a puppet who fell into the wrong hands? Who is really playing who? What are his remaining wives up to, and will they stay or will they go? And how will he ever pay back the money? Can the ghostwriter make his deadline before he winds up dead? Or are both men destined to be homeless and loathed forever?
213 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2017
3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 22, 2017
This book, although a parody, was a difficult read. I was vacilatting between being horrified and nervous laughter.
Paige detailed a very comical yet believable narrative. The "What if..." scenario was so real. I felt so sorry so Muza. Not his unavoidable fall from grace but his inability to take accountability. Take stock of what had happened and chart a different course for his path. The main character's obliviousness to his #SituationRightNow. Blinded by his inflated sense of self. But I also felt that the self he portrayed when he had an audience, was a smoke-screen. He knew, deep in his gut, that he was finished but because that was not who he was in the public eye, his public persona was quite comical. I was tempted to give him a few hot slaps to get him out of this grandiose mockery he called his life.
Paige mastered Muza's character. He could have been anyone who was down on his luck, but his clothes and talk turned him into a complete nutter. His two remaining wives made a hilarious addition to this story. I could see them in my relatives. Their metamorphosis was so spot on. I mean, getting themselves careers to put food on the table, that is exactly how any self-respecting black woman was going to deal with THIS situation.
Muza's "memorist", Matthew Stone, was too hilarious. He turned to be who I exactly thought he was. For a while, I felt a bit sad for him. I mean, penning memoirs of a "reluctant" subject was no walk in the park but he persevered. I absolutely loved how his luck changed. Good for him.
I loved how Elijah's character was very clear from beginning. His part in Muza's story was a bit opaque . Only in the last 3 pages of the book did I get his part in THIS story. But throughout the read, I was left in suspense of how he fitted in this story. I loved the black/Malawian Jew angle. The odd Hebrew word peppered here and there, made for entertaining reading. Learnt quite a bit about Jewish cuisine and Elijah made it so "Masterchef-ish".
A very well written and well told story. I loved Muza's voice and language. So in line with his character. The wives, so street-smart. The guards' characters were so authentic. Paige paid attention to this tale. From the topography, to the choice of food, the scrawny dog to the indulged cat.
"A Comedy Of Errors" truly. Maybe, just maybe, Muza had planned the outcome. Orchestrated Elijah's demise to get himself out of his current miserable situation. On the other hand, "How lucky can one guy get?". In Muza's words, "it was a win win win" for everybody.
Excellent parody. Highly recommended.
Paige detailed a very comical yet believable narrative. The "What if..." scenario was so real. I felt so sorry so Muza. Not his unavoidable fall from grace but his inability to take accountability. Take stock of what had happened and chart a different course for his path. The main character's obliviousness to his #SituationRightNow. Blinded by his inflated sense of self. But I also felt that the self he portrayed when he had an audience, was a smoke-screen. He knew, deep in his gut, that he was finished but because that was not who he was in the public eye, his public persona was quite comical. I was tempted to give him a few hot slaps to get him out of this grandiose mockery he called his life.
Paige mastered Muza's character. He could have been anyone who was down on his luck, but his clothes and talk turned him into a complete nutter. His two remaining wives made a hilarious addition to this story. I could see them in my relatives. Their metamorphosis was so spot on. I mean, getting themselves careers to put food on the table, that is exactly how any self-respecting black woman was going to deal with THIS situation.
Muza's "memorist", Matthew Stone, was too hilarious. He turned to be who I exactly thought he was. For a while, I felt a bit sad for him. I mean, penning memoirs of a "reluctant" subject was no walk in the park but he persevered. I absolutely loved how his luck changed. Good for him.
I loved how Elijah's character was very clear from beginning. His part in Muza's story was a bit opaque . Only in the last 3 pages of the book did I get his part in THIS story. But throughout the read, I was left in suspense of how he fitted in this story. I loved the black/Malawian Jew angle. The odd Hebrew word peppered here and there, made for entertaining reading. Learnt quite a bit about Jewish cuisine and Elijah made it so "Masterchef-ish".
A very well written and well told story. I loved Muza's voice and language. So in line with his character. The wives, so street-smart. The guards' characters were so authentic. Paige paid attention to this tale. From the topography, to the choice of food, the scrawny dog to the indulged cat.
"A Comedy Of Errors" truly. Maybe, just maybe, Muza had planned the outcome. Orchestrated Elijah's demise to get himself out of his current miserable situation. On the other hand, "How lucky can one guy get?". In Muza's words, "it was a win win win" for everybody.
Excellent parody. Highly recommended.
November 26, 2019
Enter the following characters: a disgraced journalist + a drug dealer + 2 wives + a certain megalomaniac #exfutureprez JG Muza, and what do you get?
A hilarious and surreal tongue-in-cheek story which revolves around the peculiar state of political affairs in a certain country situated on the Southernmost tip of Africa; plenty of innuendos that will have you chuckling....
Plenty of snort-as-you-try-to-drink-your-coffee-while-reading-and-spew-it-all-over-the-book funny moments.
Great fodder for stand up comedians. Trevor Noah would have a field day with this.
A hilarious and surreal tongue-in-cheek story which revolves around the peculiar state of political affairs in a certain country situated on the Southernmost tip of Africa; plenty of innuendos that will have you chuckling....
Plenty of snort-as-you-try-to-drink-your-coffee-while-reading-and-spew-it-all-over-the-book funny moments.
Great fodder for stand up comedians. Trevor Noah would have a field day with this.
December 18, 2019
Given that this book was written in 2017, and what has happened since then in the turmoil of South African politics, it is surprising how relevant Unpresidented remains. Paige Nick is certainly brave to satirise a figure such as Jacob Zuma, whose buffoonery made him something of a national clown, giggling in parliament like a schoolboy.
I actually think that Nick goes a bit easy on Showerhead, who yes does comes across as a dim-witted dunce, but there was a streak of vindictiveness and contempt to the former president that is totally missing from these pages.
Least successful of all as a character is the eponymous Writer, tasked to ghost-write the Soon To Be Great Again Man’s memoirs, but is instead left with a bunch of anecdotes and contradictions insufficient to fill even a postcard in terms of hard facts.
The debate here about ethical journalism obviously foreshadows the whole ‘fake news’ saga, but is a bit sketchy. I just wish Nick had given us more insight into this character and what drives him to drugs, distraction, and a couple of hundred tortured words a day on his laptop. (The #Listerine incident, when, faced with a 30-day deadline by his publisher, said Writer goes on a whisky-and-cocaine binge one night to ‘catch up’, is priceless.)
There are some genuine belly laughs here, and most of the book hits a lot of the details smack on the head. However, I fear a lot of the humour will go over the heads of international readers – which is why it is always useful to have a glossary or some kind of general explanation of the local context for such an audience.
I am constantly amazed at the diversity and talent of modern South African writing, as evinced in this satiric comedy. Could it have been a bit more barbed? Yes, certainly, but Nick has to ultimately strike a delicate balance between laughter and sadness, as everything in this book is undeniably true.
Does that perhaps make the events seem less funny when recounted as a comedy? That is a difficult question, as no one wants to make a mockery of their country’s highest office and leadership. But when they make it so easy to do so, at the expense of national morality and growth, then stick it to them, I say.
I actually think that Nick goes a bit easy on Showerhead, who yes does comes across as a dim-witted dunce, but there was a streak of vindictiveness and contempt to the former president that is totally missing from these pages.
Least successful of all as a character is the eponymous Writer, tasked to ghost-write the Soon To Be Great Again Man’s memoirs, but is instead left with a bunch of anecdotes and contradictions insufficient to fill even a postcard in terms of hard facts.
The debate here about ethical journalism obviously foreshadows the whole ‘fake news’ saga, but is a bit sketchy. I just wish Nick had given us more insight into this character and what drives him to drugs, distraction, and a couple of hundred tortured words a day on his laptop. (The #Listerine incident, when, faced with a 30-day deadline by his publisher, said Writer goes on a whisky-and-cocaine binge one night to ‘catch up’, is priceless.)
There are some genuine belly laughs here, and most of the book hits a lot of the details smack on the head. However, I fear a lot of the humour will go over the heads of international readers – which is why it is always useful to have a glossary or some kind of general explanation of the local context for such an audience.
I am constantly amazed at the diversity and talent of modern South African writing, as evinced in this satiric comedy. Could it have been a bit more barbed? Yes, certainly, but Nick has to ultimately strike a delicate balance between laughter and sadness, as everything in this book is undeniably true.
Does that perhaps make the events seem less funny when recounted as a comedy? That is a difficult question, as no one wants to make a mockery of their country’s highest office and leadership. But when they make it so easy to do so, at the expense of national morality and growth, then stick it to them, I say.
July 7, 2017
The revelation of a condescending ex-president on medical parole in his after life with a self-proclaimed 'mastermind plan' to relaunch greatness ,contributed by a intrinsic monologue and a one-of-a-kind entourage.
PS:Highly beckoning read
PS:Highly beckoning read
May 6, 2018
Irreverent and daring.
October 21, 2019
Indeed a comedy of errors.....
August 3, 2017
Read in 2 days, so hilarious! Also, some wonderful reminders of childhood favourite adverts.
And the snippets of real life news, on pointe.
Fabulous book!
Edit: I also wanted to add that I need to learn more zulu, I need to know more than just the pleasantries. 😂
And the snippets of real life news, on pointe.
Fabulous book!
Edit: I also wanted to add that I need to learn more zulu, I need to know more than just the pleasantries. 😂
July 12, 2018
Nick cuts close to the bone
Paige Nick is a wonderful writer - every character could be someone you know. They're so fully realized and human.
Unpresidented was actually a little uncomfortable to read because of the accuracy...but that didn't stop it from being hilarious.
Whether you're South African or unfortunate, this is a lovely read.
Paige Nick is a wonderful writer - every character could be someone you know. They're so fully realized and human.
Unpresidented was actually a little uncomfortable to read because of the accuracy...but that didn't stop it from being hilarious.
Whether you're South African or unfortunate, this is a lovely read.
July 25, 2017
He, he, he … Paige Nick is very, very clever! I would rate this book eleventy one out of ten, if I could!!
Unpresidented is a tongue-in-cheek parody, set in the not too distant future (2020 to be precise) about ex-president Jeremiah unpronounceable-middle-name Muza who finds himself in extremely dire straits. Having been released from prison on medical parole, he’s returned to his homestead only to discover that it’s looking far shabbier than the palatial home he remembered. In fact, it’s in a dismal state of disrepair, with only 2 wives remaining and not much of his former entourage to speak of. But never fear, for Muza is not one to allow reality to interfere with his plans; and he has big, big plans!
Muza doesn’t plan on remaining the ex-president for long … he’s going to become ‘King of the World’ … just you wait and see, and Matthew Stone is going to help him get there. Stone is a journalist … currently in a state of disgrace, who not a single member of the media is willing to touch with a 10-foot-bargepole! So, he and Muza are pretty much in the same boat. He’s been employed to write Muza’s memories … errm, sorry … his memoirs! Trouble is, Muza has a rather tenuous relationship with the truth, and what he wants Stone to write bears very little resemblance to anything that actually occurs in his life, past or current. How on earth is Stone ever going to redeem himself if he can’t even get an honest word out of the man whose memoir he’s meant to be writing?
What ensues is an intricate and convoluted comedy of errors involving Stone, Muza, 2 strong and empowered wives, (both Muza’s), a long-suffering parole officer, a Malawian drug dealer with deep-seated Jewish mom issues, and a sad, skinny dog! And all along, you’ll be wondering … “But what if …?” or “Could it be …?” No! Read the small print on the back cover carefully: “Any similarities to any persons (living or dead) are entirely coincidental. Promise.”
Once you’ve read this book once, you’ll need to go back and read it again. There’s so much ingenious detail and slick innuendo involved that you’ll want to double check that you haven’t missed anything. And the truth is that it’s all so shrewdly put together that in just one reading it’s impossible to have caught it all. So read it again, just to be sure. It’s worth it just to get double the laughs!
Unpresidented is a tongue-in-cheek parody, set in the not too distant future (2020 to be precise) about ex-president Jeremiah unpronounceable-middle-name Muza who finds himself in extremely dire straits. Having been released from prison on medical parole, he’s returned to his homestead only to discover that it’s looking far shabbier than the palatial home he remembered. In fact, it’s in a dismal state of disrepair, with only 2 wives remaining and not much of his former entourage to speak of. But never fear, for Muza is not one to allow reality to interfere with his plans; and he has big, big plans!
Muza doesn’t plan on remaining the ex-president for long … he’s going to become ‘King of the World’ … just you wait and see, and Matthew Stone is going to help him get there. Stone is a journalist … currently in a state of disgrace, who not a single member of the media is willing to touch with a 10-foot-bargepole! So, he and Muza are pretty much in the same boat. He’s been employed to write Muza’s memories … errm, sorry … his memoirs! Trouble is, Muza has a rather tenuous relationship with the truth, and what he wants Stone to write bears very little resemblance to anything that actually occurs in his life, past or current. How on earth is Stone ever going to redeem himself if he can’t even get an honest word out of the man whose memoir he’s meant to be writing?
What ensues is an intricate and convoluted comedy of errors involving Stone, Muza, 2 strong and empowered wives, (both Muza’s), a long-suffering parole officer, a Malawian drug dealer with deep-seated Jewish mom issues, and a sad, skinny dog! And all along, you’ll be wondering … “But what if …?” or “Could it be …?” No! Read the small print on the back cover carefully: “Any similarities to any persons (living or dead) are entirely coincidental. Promise.”
Once you’ve read this book once, you’ll need to go back and read it again. There’s so much ingenious detail and slick innuendo involved that you’ll want to double check that you haven’t missed anything. And the truth is that it’s all so shrewdly put together that in just one reading it’s impossible to have caught it all. So read it again, just to be sure. It’s worth it just to get double the laughs!
September 25, 2017
Described as "a comedy of errors" and "tour de farce", Paige Nick's Unpresidented is a cynical and enjoyable satire about a certain leader of a certain country at the tip of Africa.
In 2020, former President Jeremiah Gejeyishwebisa Muza has been released from prison on medical parole when one of his ingrown toenails becomes life-threateningly infected. But back at his formerly glorious KwaZulu-Natal homestead, he finds all his money has gone, along with the Guppies - the corrupt family that propped him up and paid his bills. Two of his wives have started their own businesses and can't be more indifferent to him (one of them is playing around on Tinder), and Jeremiah suspects one is trying to off him.
But JG, as always, has a plan. He's paying disgraced journalist Matthew Stone to ghostwrite his memoir of alternative facts, which Jeremiah is convinced will be a bestseller and will help relaunch his political career. But Stone is struggling to write Jeremiah's lies and with a looming deadline, his writer's block is not helping.
Unpresidented is the same kind of parody Nick used in Death by Carbs, inverting facts in a most amusing way. It is the kind of light and entertaining read that is perfect for a holiday.
In 2020, former President Jeremiah Gejeyishwebisa Muza has been released from prison on medical parole when one of his ingrown toenails becomes life-threateningly infected. But back at his formerly glorious KwaZulu-Natal homestead, he finds all his money has gone, along with the Guppies - the corrupt family that propped him up and paid his bills. Two of his wives have started their own businesses and can't be more indifferent to him (one of them is playing around on Tinder), and Jeremiah suspects one is trying to off him.
But JG, as always, has a plan. He's paying disgraced journalist Matthew Stone to ghostwrite his memoir of alternative facts, which Jeremiah is convinced will be a bestseller and will help relaunch his political career. But Stone is struggling to write Jeremiah's lies and with a looming deadline, his writer's block is not helping.
Unpresidented is the same kind of parody Nick used in Death by Carbs, inverting facts in a most amusing way. It is the kind of light and entertaining read that is perfect for a holiday.
December 15, 2018
It's 2020, former President Jeremiah Gejeyishwebisa Muza is refusing to be called the former President. That's because he is about to become "King of the World" or some other form of supreme ruler. He has been released from prison on bail because he has an ingrown toenail, his now-derelict homestead houses the only two wives he has left, and a down-and-out journalist, who must write a story on J Muza within 30 days.
The countdown begins, and the lies start to escalate, Muza's already dire situation becomes direr as staff abandon the sinking ship, and his schemes to rule the world become more desperate and diabolical.
Paige Nick is funny. But that's not the best thing about this book - there is a LOL moment on nearly every page.
Read my full review here.
The countdown begins, and the lies start to escalate, Muza's already dire situation becomes direr as staff abandon the sinking ship, and his schemes to rule the world become more desperate and diabolical.
Paige Nick is funny. But that's not the best thing about this book - there is a LOL moment on nearly every page.
Read my full review here.
April 28, 2021
Hmm... There is definitely a fair amount to be chuckled over while reading this, but unfortunately the character that this book is "not" based on, is not a source of mirth for me. Having just read a book "not" based on Trump, I think I need to give unpleasant political characters in fiction form a skip.
As far as satire goes, this is pretty good. But I don't think I have met a main cast of characters that I was rooting against so strongly.
I don't know if this would be as funny for folks out of South Africa.
As far as satire goes, this is pretty good. But I don't think I have met a main cast of characters that I was rooting against so strongly.
I don't know if this would be as funny for folks out of South Africa.
September 16, 2017
This is a very very funny book (Seffricans love duplicating the word very. We find emphasis in the repetition). I can only recommend that you go out, buy it and read it. Now.
You'll recognize virtually all the characters and you will laugh very very much.
He he he...
You'll recognize virtually all the characters and you will laugh very very much.
He he he...
January 4, 2018
Fun, clever, hilarious...
March 21, 2018
Entertaining and fun read knowing how Zuma ended up.....
February 2, 2021
A fun casual read about the events following the release of ex-president Jeremiah Muza
January 28, 2025
This was funny!! I laughed a ton
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews