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The Cockroach

By Ian McEwan
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Cockroach by Ian McEwan is a satirical novella that reimagines Kafka's classic tale in a contemporary political context. It tells the story of a cockroach that wakes up to find itself transformed into the Prime Minister of Britain. Through this surreal transformation, McEwan explores themes of power, populism, and political absurdity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy satirical fiction that cleverly parodies political themes. Ian McEwan combines sharp wit with incisive commentary, offering a unique and thought-provoking narrative.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Kafka meets The Thick Of It in a bitingly funny new political satire from Ian McEwan

That morning, Jim Sams, clever but by no means profound, woke from uneasy dreams to find himself transformed into a gigantic creature.

Jim Sams has undergone a metamorphosis.

Kafka meets The Thick Of It in a bitingly funny new political satire from Ian McEwan

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Cockroach by Ian McEwan is a darkly satirical novella that blends the surreal with sharp political critique. Drawing inspiration from Franz Kafka's classic tale, The Metamorphosis, McEwan delivers a modern fable that examines the absurdities of political life.

One morning, Jim Sams, clever but by no means profound, wakes from uneasy dreams to find himself transformed into a gigantic creature. Formerly overlooked and despised, Jim's new existence comes with an extraordinary twist: he is now the most powerful man in Britain. This unexpected metamorphosis hands him the reins of the government, where he embarks on a mission to execute the will of the people. Determined and unyielding, Jim refuses to let anything stand in his way—not the opposition, nor dissenters within his own party, and certainly not the established rules of parliamentary democracy.

With his trademark intelligence, insight, and biting humour, Ian McEwan constructs a narrative that both honours and reimagines Kafka's most famous work. The Cockroach presents a world turned on its head, where the lines between the rational and the absurd are blurred. Through this brilliantly crafted satire, McEwan offers readers a poignant reflection on the current state of political affairs, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

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?

The Cockroach by Ian McEwan has been praised for its sharp satire and comic brilliance. Reviewers highlight its humour and stylish commentary, noting it as an entertaining and insightful exploration of contemporary Britain. With its adept social and political observations, it is seen as a masterful and relevant novella.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529112924

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 106g

Pages: 112

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Humour Ian McEwan Literary Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

Ian McEwan is the critically acclaimed author of seventeen novels and two short story collections. His first published work, a collection of short stories, First Love, Last Rites, won the Somerset Maugham Award. His novels include The Child in Time, which won the 1987 Whitbread Novel of the Year Award; The Cement Garden; Enduring Love; Amsterdam, which won the 1998 Booker Prize; Atonement; Saturday; On Chesil Beach; Solar; Sweet Tooth; The Children Act; Nutshell; and Machines Like Me, which was a number-one bestseller. Atonement, Enduring Love, The Children Act and On Chesil Beach have all been adapted for the big screen.

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