Chart Throb [Import] (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A work of formidable imaginative scope. The writing is so good, the language so surprisingly subtle and the characters so beautifully delineated." --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

“An absolute coup of black comedy.”
–Daily Telegraph on Popcorn.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Press (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059305749X
• ISBN-13: 978-0593057490
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,558,535 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and Insightful., January 7, 2007

By	Peter D. Sibly (Adelaide, South Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Chart Throb (Paperback)

It's good to see Ben Elton returning again to the literary genre he does best - Comic Satire. Not only is Chart Throb a humorous read, it's an expose into what is commonly referred to as "Reality TV". With biting wit, Elton demonstrates in Chart Throb (a fictitious Pop Idol / X Factor "talent" quest) just how contrived, manipulative and scripted these kinds of shows really are. Not to mention the huge revenues collected from the millions of chumps prepared to spend money each week phone voting for their favorite performer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must read for anyone who has ever marveled at the reality tv phenomenon, April 28, 2008

By	C. Quinn (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Chart Throb (Paperback)

Another hysterical look at reality TV from a talented, wry author. Highly recommended especially if you have ever wondered what it might be like behind the scenes on a show like American Idol. Elton is a master at this type of satire- it rings just true enough to make you squirm a bit before busting a gut laughing at his over the top characters. I picked this up at an airport in Europe and was convulsed on my long flight back.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, very similar to "Dead Famous", December 19, 2006

By	Neurasthenic "neurasthenic" (New York City, New York) - See all my reviews

Unlike Dead Famous, this is not a mystery, but it is a comic novel set in the world of reality television, mocking the pretensions and idiocy of the competitors and maligning the cynicism of the producers. It's entertaining and, given Elton's background, feels a little bit like an expose of the television industry, which makes it even more fun.