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Original poster

Ben Elton's Identity Crisis

139 replies

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 24/06/2019 22:33

Has anyone else read this? Am reading it now - a satirical reflection on today's society with a particular focus on gender identity and social media.

I've just got to the bit where Mumsnet gets name-checked: after a trans woman is murdered, there's a thread on MN asking why this murder gets more attention than the murders of "ordinary women" and then an online campaign forces MN moderators to ban the phrase "ordinary women" as hate-speak.

I did pause to reflect on this passage, where the protagonist is thinking about the character who is very clearly based on Germaine Greer:

"Even five years earlier no one would have imagined that a whole generation of women with vaginas would unite in defence of women with penises to take down a woman with a vagina who had previously been a feminist icon."

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 25/06/2019 10:14

Ah thanks Sunkisses, I confused myself there.

Sunkisses · 25/06/2019 09:31

@LizzieSiddal Identity Crisis is his latest book and that's not out till Aug (in paperback)

LizzieSiddal · 25/06/2019 09:26

AlwaysComingHome yes it's out in paperback, I just bought it.

Where did you buy it from Always? It says on Amazon that it isn’t available in paperback, until August.

Sunkisses · 25/06/2019 09:22

OMG this is the best news if Ben is GC. He's a legend and so insightful. He'd skewer all the incoherent, pomo, reality denying bollocks. Does everyone know he's going on tour this year for the first time in 15 years? Book your tickets now!
www.benelton.net

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 25/06/2019 09:11

Thanks for posting this. I used to love Ben Elton but somehow forgot about him! Will buy this book

Birdie6 · 25/06/2019 08:39

AlwaysComingHome yes it's out in paperback, I just bought it.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 25/06/2019 08:39

I read an interview with him months ago where he briefly discussed the subject of the book but gave away no details and I did wonder which way it was going to go. I wonder if he’ll get a virtual kicking, or is it only middle aged vagina havers that still read books these days, hence it might slip under the radar?

TinselAngel · 25/06/2019 08:35

I just booked a ticket to see him in my own (which is a first for me), saw him several times in the 1990's/00's

Daughterofmabel · 25/06/2019 08:24

I bloody love Ben Elton! He's a really underrated contemporary novelist IMO and he's written many books which were really perceptive and on the money in nailing what's going on in the zeitgeist, issues about celebrity, privacy etc
^^
This
Going to see him live in October. Really looking forwrd to it.

Original poster
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 25/06/2019 08:18

Sorry - I posted this last night, read a bit more, and fell asleep!

It's really spot on as observational satire of what the UK is like today, now. I don't want to give too many spoilers if you're going to read it but parts of it have echoed so many discussions I've seen on here. I read an interview with him about it where he talks about being of that generation who was really politically active - fighting Clause 28, campaigning against tampon poverty and so on - and then suddenly realising how out of date it all is and how dramatically and weirdly the world has changed. Here - not too many spoilers, I don't think.

It's really interesting on the role of social media and how quickly misinformation is spread and how easily people are manipulated by it.

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 25/06/2019 07:36

It says on Amazon that the paperback will be available from 8th Aug.

I’m pre ordering.

gettingtherequickly · 25/06/2019 07:17

I'm not a fan of his stand up, but he's one of my favourite authors.

Off to order on kindle.

HermioneMakepeace · 25/06/2019 00:42

To paraphrase an old Jo Brand quote, "Never trust a woman with testicles" Grin.

ZebrasAreBras · 25/06/2019 00:33

Ah, I did like Inconceivable. Maybe Baby was made watchable by Hugh Laurie, who is always brilliant.

AlwaysComingHome · 24/06/2019 23:59

IIRC, the film changed the title to the more moron-friendly Maybe Baby

Ben Elton's Identity Crisis
AlwaysComingHome · 24/06/2019 23:56

Didn't they have IVF twins?

That’s conceivable.

Jasging · 24/06/2019 23:51

Glad he has a new book out and he is a great observationist. May be worth re-reading High Society with all the shenanigans in politics at the moment as well!

plattercake · 24/06/2019 23:45

Ooh, must read this :)

I was only thinking of his novel Stark the other day and want to re-read it.

I also love Upstart Crow. And picked up GC moments too :)

I'd be really unhappy if he turned out to be an arse.

ZebrasAreBras · 24/06/2019 23:44

His wife might be. Wink Didn't they have IVF twins?

ErrolTheDragon · 24/06/2019 23:41

I've just got to the bit where Mumsnet gets name-checked: after a trans woman is murdered, there's a thread on MN asking why this murder gets more attention than the murders of "ordinary women" and then an online campaign forces MN moderators to ban the phrase "ordinary women" as hate-speak.

Is he an MNer?

EweSurname · 24/06/2019 23:39

Should have said, the transsexual judge was a judge of an x factor type show and not a court of law!

TinselAngel · 24/06/2019 23:38

I love his books and his stand up

TinselAngel · 24/06/2019 23:37

Ben Elton is GC? Woohoo!!!

ZebrasAreBras · 24/06/2019 23:34

Meant to add, so yes, I'll add this to my reading list.

He also wrote Blind Faith which is far from his best - but strangely prescient.

terfsandwich · 24/06/2019 23:33

Can't remember what it was called though.

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