The Cockroach

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.