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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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:
terfsandwich · 24/06/2019 23:33

There was a great novel about social media lynch mobs. An interesting dystopia that was prescient of black mirror.

ZebrasAreBras · 24/06/2019 23:28

I've read a good few Ben Elton novels, and I'm not remotely surprised he's gender critical - similar to glinner, I'd think. Capable of critical thought, and not giving a crap if they're not following the woke line. He's underrated because he's seen as a shouty, lefty comedian.

Stark and Gridlock will probably both happen in reality. Or maybe This Other Eden. I find his novels perceptive, funny and frightening.

EweSurname · 24/06/2019 23:21

I remember reading "Chart Throb" where there was a transsexual judge who if I remember correctly, had transitioned for notoriety. It's been ages since I read it so I might be misremembering!

newtlover · 24/06/2019 23:17

I love Upstart Crow
I wonder how many more episodes there can be?

TheInebriati · 24/06/2019 23:14

Its on Amazon on Kindle and 2nd hand paperback.

AlwaysComingHome · 24/06/2019 23:11

I don’t think this is out in paperback yet, is it?

I’m looking forward to reading it. He smuggled some GC into Upstart Crow so it doesn’t surprise me there’s some in Identity Crisis.

MenuPlant · 24/06/2019 23:09

Wow interesting.
I might buy it thanks :)

KatvonHostileExtremist · 24/06/2019 23:09

He writes Upstart Crow too, I often think that's gc. I do love him.
I've ordered the book

StealthPolarBear · 24/06/2019 22:57

Not seen this but nive liked his other books, this should be good

Destinysdaughter · 24/06/2019 22:54

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.

I've seen him interviewed about this current novel and have just got it on Audible, can't wait to actually listen to it, especially as he's narrating it himself. Apparently his wife told him not to go near the trans stuff, but he's not exactly someone who's scared of controversy in his career. Can't comment on it any more as not read it yet but hoping he won't let me down!

newtlover · 24/06/2019 22:46

when was this written?
it takes a while to write a novel I imagine

AncientLights · 24/06/2019 22:46

Have you a link, OP? I googled it and get some old pop song reference, but not quite as old as the S&G classic 'The only living boy in New York'.

Erythronium · 24/06/2019 22:40

"Even five years ago" - too true. It's happened so very, very quickly.

Ben Elton a terf? It appears in the most unexpected places.

"Women with penises" is a good phrase. I'm thinking I like "women with testicles" too, as it sounds more unexpected.

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