Can't believe I've only just read this. Probably one of the most vital works of fiction from a current British author of the last 20 years. The attack on our establishment still feels relevant over a deacde after he wrote this, especially in relation to animal welare and our defence industry. Brilliant characters, satire and writing to die for. Can't really fault this ( )

A fun, rolicking read about Thatcherite Britain. ( )

http://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2009... ( )

Bizarrely this book has a different title in America, but that peeve aside, it's really rather excellent. Michael Owen sets out to write a biography of right-wing aristocratic family, the Winshaws; people so odious it's fun to hate them as they're shown committing a series of acts against human decency. How greedy, heartless bastards own the world and everything in it. Funny, political, compelling, clever... It's a great novel. Makes me wish I was really a socialist ( )

The 80s and a wealthy family of awful people, occasionally funny, twisted tale made interesting with rants on privatisation, arms etc, entertaining ( )