Kompromat by Stanley Johnson is a satirical novel based around the political events of the 2016 referendum in the UK and the presidential elections in America. It stresses that it is a work of fiction but the similarities of the characters to the real politicians leaves little doubt as to who they are depicting. The story is a fast paced thriller following an alternative account of the events of 2016. The whole Kompromat (compromising material) issue, Russia's apparent wish to destabilise the West in the referendum and US elections, the various relationships and influences politicians have on each other all ring true making it difficult to read this as a work of fiction. There is a storyline running through the book regarding wildlife conservation, which the author is clearly passionate about. This adds a depth to the book by giving it a different perspective in politicians influences and highlighting a number of conservation/global warming issues and the way different countries manage these problems. It is a funny, thought provoking book which is uncomfortably close to the truth of what goes on in politics around the world but it is a really entertaining way of looking at it. It was a really interesting and enjoyable book, has lots of fascinating threads running through it and is very easy to read despite the subject matter. It is a book that I would recommend highly.

KOMPROMAT by Stanley Johnson The introduction to this satirical political book stresses it is not a work of history but I defy anyone to read it, with its huge cast of world politicians, not to immediately recognise a certain similarity between the fictitious cast members and some well known world leaders and their cohorts. They may have different names but they are thinly disguised. The writer must have been burning the midnight oil since the period covered takes us right up to this summer as the story mirrors the Brexit campaign, holding much of it up to ridicule. This is political satire and is laugh out loud funny. The action begins It with a summit meeting of world leaders in St. Petersburg attended by world leaders including the macho Russian president, Popov, and the USA presidential candidate, Ronald C. Craig. The youthful Craig with his mop of blonde hair is accompanied by his daugter and closest advisor, Rosie. And of course also present is Helga Brun, Chancellor of Germany. A tiger hunt is organised by Popov worried at so many rare tigers disappearing into China across the Russian border. It is a fact funding hunt but seemingly inadvertantly Popov manages to shoot a sedative dart into the American’s backside. A rush to hospital for an antidote is hilariously funny as the reader is left wondering if any other items were placed in the victim’s gluteus Maximus. Never one to miss a photo oppurtunity the Popov appears in the media in full manly hunting gear, bare chested and holding a gun acclaimed for saving the life of the possible future president of the USA. The British secreatary of state for the environment, and chairman of the Leave Campaign has his career almost ruined when a film turns up showing having some lively sex with two blondes. However his wife’s sharp eye notices that the underpants on the bed are ones he would never wear! i love the slogan stitched into the boxers “Put America First’. The story stops just short of farce but worryingly close to truth as politicians are caught in compromising films, email, and letters. Undercover agents are working round the clock to get their own team off the hook while laying traps for the opposition while the Russian politicians would appear to be influencing Brexit, the American Presidential election. Phrases like ‘Take back Control,’ ‘Make America Great Again’ constantly repeated on the media are slipped into the conversations deftly. The leaders of China claim they do not want to negotiate with a fragmented Europe while in Australie, their wealthy leader hides his intense dislike of the English for his own benefit and financial gain. A great book for anyone interested in world politics especially andif not cynical before you will be after reading this skilfully written book. The writer covers the whole gamut of political life. The wrangling, the financial implications of staying or leaving, the dodgy dossier, weapons of mass destructions, subterfuge, attempted assassination, infidelity, fake news and of course the immigration problem. All caricatured and held up in this book for the enjoyment of readers. Regardless of readers’ views on Brexit many will find they are mirrored in this clever and entertaining book. There are metaphors that are uncomfortable close to the truth. So close one if truth is stranger than fiction where does one draw the line? If I was to summarise the theme of this book it might well be ‘trust no one’!

In Britain Jeremy Hartley has announced 23rd June 2016 as the date for a referendum on whether or not the country should remain in or leave the European Union. Whatever the British people decide will have repercussions, not just across Europe but across the whole world and, in the months leading up to the vote, it is hardly surprising that powerful influences will be brought to bear on the outcome of the referendum. European, American, Russian, Chinese, and even Australian, interests are at stake – and the stakes are certainly high! Some are keen to see a Brexit vote, others have an investment in Britain remaining in the Union but what they all have in common is, by fair means or foul, a determination to ensure that their country’s, and/or personal interests, are best served by the result. Kompromat is a Russian word meaning compromising material, usually concerning illicit sexual encounters, drug-taking, prostitution, dodgy business deals etc. in fact anything which can be used to blackmail a target; this material can be genuine, but is often fabricated. Kompromat is at the centre of this bitingly satirical look at recent political events – in fact the novel even covers the results of the June 2017 General Election so Stanley Johnson must have added the final chapters only very shortly before the book was published! The story explores all the machinations which went on behind the scenes as politicians jockeyed for position in this fictional story. Who was in whose pocket? Who was being blackmailed, and by whom? In fact could anyone be trusted to be telling the truth, and could there be any such thing as political, let alone personal, integrity? There were times when it felt quite exhausting trying to keep up with all the dealing, double-dealing and double-crossing which was taking place across the world! Although the author stresses that this is a work of fiction, all the main characters felt very recognisable (a Prime Minister who, convinced that he couldn’t lose, promised the electorate a referendum; an unlikely US Presidential candidate; a Russian President who liked to flex his muscles, both physically and politically – maybe these characters sound all too familiar!) and I found myself feeling very amused by some of the “alternative” names given to a few of them. Set against the contemporary backdrop of geo-political manoeuvrings, “fake news”, use of the internet and the almost instant soundbites of tweeted responses to emerging news, this political thriller paints a vivid picture of the complexity of modern-day politics, as well as the potential for international mischief-making. This really is one of the best books I have read this year. It is an exciting political thriller and its quite brilliant satirical explorations really do hold up a mirror to the unpredictable and volatile nature of contemporary politics. There were lots of laugh-out-loud moments throughout (who would have thought that Brexit could have a funny side!) but it is also all too chillingly credible. I admired and enjoyed the author’s immediately engaging writing-style which I think is due in part to his considerable ability to create strong voices for each of his characters and to his ear for convincing dialogue, but also to his journalistic discipline. His pacing of the developing plots was excellent, so there was never a moment when I felt I wanted things to move along more quickly. I have not come across any of his earlier thrillers but, if they are as good as this one, then I’m keen to seek them out. Although this is a very easy and engaging read, it is also highly thought-provoking and the themes which emerge would make it an ideal choice for reading groups – I’ll certainly never look at politics in quite the same way again! Stanley Johnson’s experiences, as a former MEP, a journalist, active environmentalist and author of a considerable number of other books, mean that he has been able to bring a convincing integrity to this novel. The fact he was a firmly committed “Remainer”, whilst his son was such a keen Brexiteer (even though it is said that the latter does not feature in the book!) added an extra authenticity to the exploration of both sides of the debate. This is a book which I have no reservations about recommending to anyone who enjoys satire and political shenanigans! My thanks to Nudge/Real Readers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Russian Kompromat means compromising material relating to a politician or public figure and is used to create negative publicity or to blackmail. It is KGB slang from the Stalin era. A lot hinges on this in the book. Everyone knows about accusations that the Russians tried to influence the outcome of the American Presidential election but could they have interfered with the UK’s 2016 EU referendum? In the book the Russians want Britain to leave in order to destabilise the EU while the Chinese want a stronger EU with the UK still in it. They act accordingly. The author is at pains to emphasise that his book is ‘a novel’, ‘a work of fiction, and satire, not a work of history’, presumably to avoid any lawsuits. An American presidential candidate with a shock of blond hair, some well-known slogans and tweets a lot is, of course, Ronald Craig! Similarly, an Australian media mogul, in his 80s and married to the ex-wife of a popstar, is Mickey Selkirk and the new Prime Minister after the referendum who has a preference for kitten heels is Mrs Mabel Killick! This is a political thriller but it is difficult to say a lot about this book without spoiling it for the reader. It is a good read; it is well written. and it has good pace. It is amusing and, sadly, almost believable. The reader is left wondering if any of it could actually be true. The knowledge that the author is Boris Johnson’s father adds to the interest. If a Reading Group selects this book, it should provoke some interesting debate. On the minus side there are a lot of characters to keep track of. The cast of characters helpfully given at the start of the books runs to over 4 pages. I found myself having to refer to this quite often. Also, a small point, there are a number of obvious typos that should have been corrected.

The meaning in English of Kompromat.is: "compromising materials. ... Kompromat can be acquired from various security services, or outright forged, and then publicized by use of a public relations official..." And 'Kompromat' is the crux of this bitingly funny satire of current events (very current indeed actually as the book takes us right up to June 2017). The book is written by a knowledgeable insider, Stanley Johnson, a fomer MEP. He has written a fascinating insight into the cut & thrust of todays politics & has included some brilliant caracatures of leading 'celebrity' politicians. I found Ronald Craig (Donald Trump) to be particularly good! Although this is a work of fiction it is a very thought provoking book & I am sure that you will find yourself discussing it with your friends if you read it. Also do not be put off by the fact that this is about politics, it is an easy read & it is also enjoyable & laugh out loud funny. A fictional account yes, but maybe not all that fanciful?