hannahbanks's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
halfpotato_halfcheese's review
3.0
****3.5 stars****
A dive into Australian politics from a very different angle.
Retrospectively looking at issues that come up in Australia politics in this way, had me considering what really needs to be the focus for our politicians. I wanted to hear more from Garry and his take on things. A easy but interesting read.
A dive into Australian politics from a very different angle.
Retrospectively looking at issues that come up in Australia politics in this way, had me considering what really needs to be the focus for our politicians. I wanted to hear more from Garry and his take on things. A easy but interesting read.
rahhow's review
3.0
3.8
Genuinely enjoyed myself.
The world-building felt a tad unbalanced which affected the tone in certain pockets of the book. But what really caught my attention was the main character's interaction with other people. The dialogue in this book singularly categorises this book to be satire and for that, it was a fun read.
Genuinely enjoyed myself.
The world-building felt a tad unbalanced which affected the tone in certain pockets of the book. But what really caught my attention was the main character's interaction with other people. The dialogue in this book singularly categorises this book to be satire and for that, it was a fun read.
scribepub's review
A savage, laugh-out-loud satire that hits the ground running and never lets up.
Tony Martin
Whether it’s a farce or a forecast, The Speechwriter is a romp. Only a flint-eyed journo could write a fiction so absurdly believable. And believably absurd. Could not put it down even after I coughed up regular cocktails from laughing. Bravo, and damn you Martin.
Tim Rogers
The Black Mirror Australian politics has been waiting for … A strange, joyful, absurd, and cutting take on politics, spin, and modern-day media.
Zan Rowe
When I began reading, I thought it was farce. By the end, I understood it was closer to realism … brutal, hilarious, harrowing.
Sean Kelly
An entertaining story of folly set in a unique, exaggerated world of backroom politics. The Speechwriter will most likely appeal to readers of Steve Toltz, as well as fans of TV comedies like Veep and Utopia.
Brad Jefferies, Books+Publishing
Martin McKenzie-Murray’s skewering of Australian bureaucracy and political lethargy is one of the funniest books I’ve read in years.
Keeping Up With the Penguins
You’ll laugh out loud.
Happy Magazine
A satire needs heart as much as cleverness to be effective, and in these moments Martin McKenzie-Murray delivers.
Marie Matteson, Readings
The novel’s main subject is the absurdity of the disconnect between politicians’ public announcements and the reality of events. Fans of Martin McKenzie-Murray’s journalism will have been looking forward to this book, and there are some clever insights and some laughs to be had.
Kerryn Goldsworthy, Sydney Morning Herald
Tony Martin
Whether it’s a farce or a forecast, The Speechwriter is a romp. Only a flint-eyed journo could write a fiction so absurdly believable. And believably absurd. Could not put it down even after I coughed up regular cocktails from laughing. Bravo, and damn you Martin.
Tim Rogers
The Black Mirror Australian politics has been waiting for … A strange, joyful, absurd, and cutting take on politics, spin, and modern-day media.
Zan Rowe
When I began reading, I thought it was farce. By the end, I understood it was closer to realism … brutal, hilarious, harrowing.
Sean Kelly
An entertaining story of folly set in a unique, exaggerated world of backroom politics. The Speechwriter will most likely appeal to readers of Steve Toltz, as well as fans of TV comedies like Veep and Utopia.
Brad Jefferies, Books+Publishing
Martin McKenzie-Murray’s skewering of Australian bureaucracy and political lethargy is one of the funniest books I’ve read in years.
Keeping Up With the Penguins
You’ll laugh out loud.
Happy Magazine
A satire needs heart as much as cleverness to be effective, and in these moments Martin McKenzie-Murray delivers.
Marie Matteson, Readings
The novel’s main subject is the absurdity of the disconnect between politicians’ public announcements and the reality of events. Fans of Martin McKenzie-Murray’s journalism will have been looking forward to this book, and there are some clever insights and some laughs to be had.
Kerryn Goldsworthy, Sydney Morning Herald
dreamingofeternalreading's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
keepingupwiththepenguins's review
5.0
After the past few years, you’d be forgiven for thinking political satire is dead. The Speechwriter proves it isn’t so. Martin McKenzie-Murray’s skewering of Australian bureaucracy and political lethargy is one of the funniest books I’ve read in years. The absurdity is unshakably familiar, but dialed up to eleven. The tone is endearingly nihilistic: the fed-up straight man to the world’s clown car. A highly recommended read for anyone who needs a wry laugh and a shot in the arm!
My full review can be found on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review can be found on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
teresak's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Hands down the funniest book I’ve read in a little while. Really straightforward political satire, the review on the back is right you’re not quite sure whether it’s prediction or dramatisation but it’s enjoyable either way.
book_worms_amy's review
4.0
The Speechwriter by Martin McKenzie-Murray is laugh-out-loud Australian political satire at its best. An outlandish tale of democracy, McKenzie-Murray takes aim at politicians, bureaucrats, voters and the fair dinkum Aussie.
Protagonist Toby is an ex-speechwriter of the Prime Minister, and he's writing his memoir... from behind bars. Along with the help of his ultra violent, yet oddly supportive cell mate Garry, what transpires is a tale of an initially idealistic speechwriter hoping to make his mark on the world, recounting his discouraging and absurd journey into the world of Australian politics. This book was farcical and brutal, yet unfortunately its all too easy to imagine this scenario playing out on today's political stage.
Perfectly timed with Scotty from Marketing currently leading the Australian Nation. This ones a must read for those that love political satire. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5).
Protagonist Toby is an ex-speechwriter of the Prime Minister, and he's writing his memoir... from behind bars. Along with the help of his ultra violent, yet oddly supportive cell mate Garry, what transpires is a tale of an initially idealistic speechwriter hoping to make his mark on the world, recounting his discouraging and absurd journey into the world of Australian politics. This book was farcical and brutal, yet unfortunately its all too easy to imagine this scenario playing out on today's political stage.
Perfectly timed with Scotty from Marketing currently leading the Australian Nation. This ones a must read for those that love political satire. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5).
katrina_and_the_page's review
4.0
This is a political satire about the futility of idealism. It starts of in Perth (WA) and remains throughout in Australian political and bureaucratic settings. The narration is hyperbolic, features lots of swearing and the humour was exactly right for me: cynical and wordy! Anyone familiar with Australian politics will be able to recognise incidents and figures that have inspired characters and events in the story. The Speechwriter is a perfect allegory for the digression of politics into TV entertainment. A very amusing read.
Accelerate the sickness!
Accelerate the sickness!
sammy_3004's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5