NUMBER Ten is portrayed as never before by Sue Townsend in her latest novel of the same name.
The best-selling author, most famous for her hugely successful children's books starring the hapless Adrian Mole, has turned her hand to political satire to provide both an amusing and accessible political commentary.
Number Ten features the fictional Prime Minister Edward Clare, voted into power after a landslide victory five years previously, suffering from a crisis of confidence.
Determined to be a man of the people, Clare sets off on a bizarre and highly entertaining journey with Jack Spratt, the repressed policeman from a family of criminals who usually stands guard at his door. With the PM wearing his wife's clothes, the unusual duo travel the country incognito discovering that medical care isn't all it is cracked up to be and that drugs are taken by ordinary people -- including Jack's mother who hostesses at a crack house! A brilliantly witty insight into the workings of politics featuring characters that most will recognise . . .
Published by Michael Joseph/ Penguin priced £15.99.
Rating: ***
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