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A Very English Scandal
Now a Major BBC Series Starring Hugh Grant
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 4,227 ratings, 476 reviews)
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A Very English Scandal
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
A Very English Scandal by John Preston is an unputdownable real-life political thriller set against the backdrop of the House of Commons. This engrossing narrative intricately unveils a remarkable true story of power, secrecy, and scandal within British high society.
The late 1960s saw Jeremy Thorpe, the charismatic and ambitious leader of the Liberal Party, reaching the zenith of his political career. In a period when homosexuality had just been decriminalised, Thorpe's carefully maintained public persona was threatened by the existence of a former intimate relationship with Norman Scott, a younger man. As Scott stood poised to expose their affair, Thorpe found himself ensnared in a web of deceit and desperation.
Turning to underhanded tactics and supported by an inner circle of influential politicos, Thorpe engaged in blackmail, conspiracy, and embezzlement, eventually contemplating the most extreme measure to silence his ex-lover permanently. Preston meticulously details the bizarre and often darkly comic series of events that ensued, rendering this story almost stranger than fiction.
The book reaches its crescendo with the infamous trial, where British society was confronted with the duplicitous nature of its political elite and the lengths to which the Establishment would go to protect its own. The trial was a watershed moment, revealing the systemic corruption that permeated the upper echelons of power.
With gripping prose and assiduous research, Preston resurrects this sensational case with all the elements of a classic thriller, underscoring that the most compelling stories are often those rooted in truth. The narrative's vivid portrayal of this extraordinary scandal has captivated readers, and it also inspired the Bafta-winning BBC drama starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw.
The book has garnered widespread acclaim for its riveting storytelling:
"Gripping. A story of cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home Secretaries" - Daily Telegraph
"I loved it; eccentric, dark, humane and English in the very best sense" - Alain de Botton
"Retold with masterful skill... It grips like a detective story" - Daily Mail, Book of the Week
A Very English Scandal offers a fascinating look into a dark chapter of British political history, bringing to light the audacity and hubris of those in power. It remains an essential read for anyone intrigued by the interplay of politics, scandal, and justice.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
A Very English Scandal by John Preston has received high praise for its gripping and darkly comic retelling of the Jeremy Thorpe scandal. It has been described as brilliantly researched, impeccably written, and filled with shocks, surprises, and laugh-out-loud moments. Critics have highlighted Preston's skill in bringing the characters and era to life, making this true story as compelling as a thriller.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241973745
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 April 2017
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 21.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 256g
Pages: 368
About the Author
John Preston is a former Arts Editor of the Evening Standard and the Sunday Telegraph. For ten years he was the Sunday Telegraph's television critic and one of its chief feature writers. His novel, The Dig, based on the 1939 archaeological excavation at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, has been filmed starring Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan and Lily James. His first nonfiction book, A Very English Scandal, was published to great acclaim in 2016 and turned into BAFTA-winning BBC drama series. His latest book, Fall, tells the story of the rise and fall of the politician and business magnate Robert Maxwell.
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