Imagine visiting all of England in a single weekend: Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Stonehenge, and more, all conveniently close and idealized. This fantasy vision is the brainchild of Sir Jack Pitman, an egomaniacal mogul reminiscent of modern media tycoons. He promises not a theme park or heritage center, but "the thing itself," a re-creation of England that tourists crave for an "authentic" experience. The perfect location? The Isle of Wight, which Sir Jack's team sets out to conquer. Amid the chaos, Martha Cochrane, a disillusioned consultant, and Paul Harrison, a younger man seeking direction, find each other. Their budding relationship is tested when they uncover a skeleton in Sir Jack's closet that could impact their careers but jeopardize their connection. In this satirical narrative, the author expertly critiques postmodernism, British identity, the media, and big business, all while crafting a humorous exploration of the blurred lines between replicas and reality. Readers familiar with the author's work will find unexpected twists and insights, making this novel a thought-provoking and entertaining read.
Светлана Силакова Bücher
