STARK

Ben Elton is probably England's most talented comedian. Not only does he do stand up comedy he has written scripts for Black Adder and the Young ones. This was his first novel. The finding out the plot is part of the enjoyment and point of the novel so that it would be unfair to reveal it. However there are two tiers of characters. At one end is a financially succussesful businessman who seems to be slightly based on Rupert Murdock. He is gradually drawn into a conspiracy which is the basis of the book. At the other end are a number of classic comedy figures who discover the conspiracy and try to prevent it. The book is a passionate defence of the enviroment movement and raises a number of issues which have since been more widely accepted. However it is more than a political tract. It is simply laugh out loud funny. Elton writes the book as a series of gags which are totally effective. It was a comedy classic in its time.

Unlike the previous review, I think this book is an extremely funny story (very humorous and outstanding characters), promoting a very important cause (the book is pro-Eco). The world's biggest corporate tycoons are planning to leave our planet as the Earth is turning un-inhabitable due the over consumption of its resources. A weird group of greens try to stop them. After reading this book I just had to read Elton's other book "This Other Eden" that evolves around the same Eco theme.

I love the way Ben Elton uses characters so real you believe you know them. Then he dumps them in the middle of the type of serious drama where you would expect only hollywood superheros would have a chance. But then things just dont happen quite like they do in the movies in reality or in this story. 90% of the book is hilarious but due to the realism he presents the 10% that is frightning is pretty scary.Dave Reid

As an environmental scientist, I have to say his views on global doomsday is a bit too far-fetched. But it has more than a trace of truth in it. All in all, it is a rattling good read, with more than a bit of 'call for action' thrown in. His caricature of grotesque characters (English poser-loser CD, hippie Karen, neonazi Gordon etc.) is so true you can really envisage those people standing right in front of you, like a 3D movie.

Ben Elton is truly into morality plays. Each of his books has a lesson to teach the world about the way humanity is truly screwing things up. "Stark" is no exception. In "Stark", the richest of the rich have come up with a hideous plan to survive the end of the world which they expect to occur in, oh say, about eight days. Now it's up to a rag tag team of not-quite-together "greenies" (and a pair of Aboriginals) to save the planet. Can they do it? And if they do, is that such a great thing? Ben Elton has a wonderful knack for taking society's faults and playing them out to the nth degree. After reading "Stark", you'll never take the ozone layer or the greenhouse effect lightly again