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CRASH! How I Lost A Hundred Billion And Found True Love (2013)

by Julian Gough(Favorite Author)

3.48 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

DailyLit

review 1: When I first saw this book, I honestly had no idea what it was about. But the description had me at “comic romp through the sovereign debt crisis”. I mean, come on, if that doesn’t say summer beach read, what does? But I am an equal opportunity reader, so I gave it a shot. Plus, I love the cover. Nothing sells books better than a nice big chicken on the cover, though it did make me a little hungry. But once I started reading it, not so hungry after all. (you’ll understand that when you read it.)In any case, this book reminded me of Geraldine Brooks’ awesome book, Year of Wonders. Not in theme, mind you, but in the concept of my recommending it, and it sounding like an odd choice. Brooks’ book, “Hey, I just read this fantastic book about the plague, you should... more definitely read it!” Gough’s book, “Hey, I just read this hilarious book about the European Debt Crisis, you should definitely read it!” See what I mean? Odd. What can I say? This little novella packs a fierce bite of satire in a short amount of space. You don’t have to be a financial wizard to get it, either. Jude (the main character) and I had a lot in common in that respect. Jude is an unsuccessful farmer here, but he is suspicious of the bankers and the politicians, and of course, he is the voice of reason in this world gone mad scenario. The only problem with the whole outlandish plot is that, scarily, it did not sound unlike something someone might suggest, somewhere down the road a bit.Julian Gough apparently has other books featuring Jude, so I am going to check those out next. Be sure to check out his author photo on Goodreads. I don’t know why, but it just makes me happy.*I received an ARC on this title from DailyLit.com
review 2: Set in an alternate-universe with countries such as Frugalia, Anarkos, Skivia and Diceland, this 'long short story' details the trials and tribulations of Jude, an impoverished orphan in County Fripperary, Squanderland, who is informed that his tumbledown chicken-shack is at the centre of the European financial crisis. Coached by bankers and bureaucrats to pay off his debts and improve the value of his property by taking out a hundred-billion-euro loan to repair the coop's roof, he's soon embroiled in a scheme to put a roof over the entire contry. All the while, the innocent Jude pines for Heidi, the Frugalian taxpayer who technically owns his property following the national bailout.This was a joy to read - by turns hilarious, enraging and even poignant (I may be alone in this, but I found the scene where a banker tries to make an omelette oddly moving). Highly recommended. less

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