Seventy-Two Virgins [Hardcover]

Boris Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2004

Seventy-Two Virgins is a comic political novel, with similar appeal to Stephen Fry or Ben Elton, written by one of Britain's most popular politicians. It is Boris Johnson's first novel. To much fanfare, the American President is on an inaugural visit to the Houses of Parliament. Our hero, a hapless MP on a bicycle, gets caught up in the ferocious security arrangements. A stolen ambulance runs into trouble with the Westminster Parking Authorities. A man, born in Lebanon but going by the name of Jones, manages to persuade his way through the barriers. The best sharpshooter in the United States is enlisted and stationed on the roof of the building adjoining Westminster Hall. Henry VIII's tennis ball gets caught up in the melee. These disparate parts meet head-on -- and the events are broadcast live on worldwide television.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Boris Johnson and Friends, Voters, Countrymen: 'Johnson has cracked the art of making politics invigorating.'Daily Telegraph 'Such an entertaining read.' Daily Mail 'It is very funny and has, in short, all the idiosyncracies of its author.' Jeremy Paxman

About the Author

Boris Johnson is the editor of the Spectator, MP for Henley, writes a column for the Daily Telegraph and has just been appointed Shadow Arts Minister. He lives in London and Oxfordshire with his wife and their children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harper Collins (September 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007195907
• ISBN-13: 978-0007195909
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,371,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Morning Out, February 18, 2007

By 

Richard Murff (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seventy-Two Virgins (Paperback)

Boris Johnson's "Seventy Two Virgins" is Mr. Johnson's first novel and really is a grand morning out. The story is a comedy of errors revolving around a plot to set a bomb off in Westminster during an American President's speech. His humor and political insight are spot-on. Picture a political thriller written through the pen of P.G. Wodehouse. As an American, I had to just smile and nod at some of the more subtle British political allusions, but it never takes the storytelling off the latch.

With American politicians so violently partisan and serious these days, Mr. Johnson's handling of the American President is hysterical, so is his treatment of European politicians gathered to hear the President in Westminster. The story is fun and its non-sequetors are pure Boris. (Most Americans won't know what "pure Boris" means, but its great fun). I first read it about a year ago and had to get it from the UK, and am very glad to see that Boris Johnson's books are available stateside now.